DMAIC vs DMADV

DMAIC and DMADV are the top Lean Six Sigma practices to drive process and business improvement. DMAIC focuses on enhancing existing processes, while DMADV targets the design of new ones.

Do you have issues like long cycle times, waste, or inefficiencies that are causing chaos in your manufacturing, service, or design? Lean Six Sigma’s frameworks can be the tools you need to help find sustainable solutions.  It’s the ultimate toolkit for reducing variability, slashing costs, and delivering value—plus, it’ll help you win over more customers.

Let’s break down DMAIC and DMADV so you can pick the right hero for your business. Keep reading—you’re in for a treat!

DMAIC vs DMADV: Understanding the Basics 

DMAIC: The Process of Improvement

Involving five phases, DMAIC revolves around improving existing processes or products. With its systematic and data-driven approach, DMAIC identifies and solves issues by implementing sustainable improvements.

The best part? It’s flexible and adaptable to various business processes and organizations in any industry. 

Before the repetitive use of the term “existing processes” confuses you, let us clarify it. Using DMAIC for existing processes means improving an existing established product or process using DMAIC. For instance, improving customer satisfaction by reducing wait times in a call center.

Phases of DMAIC

Here’s what the Six Sigma DMAIC, the acronym and improvement framework, is all about:

Define	This phase establishes the improvement objective and identifies the problem. Deep down, it pinpoints the main process to be improved.
Measure	Here, all the necessary data for establishing a baseline for improvement is collected. It’s done by using tools like control charts and historical project data to benchmark performance.
Analyze	It’s all about analysis!  Experts evaluate data to find the root causes of inefficiencies. Tools used for this purpose include Pareto Charts and Control Charts.
Improve	Here comes the implementation part, where issues and inefficiencies are addressed by implementing sustainable changes.
Control	It’s the post-solution implementation phase that ensures lasting improvements. Control is ensured by regularly reviewing performance metrics. It helps detect trends and fluctuations.

Real-Time Implementation of DMAIC: Case Study

The downtime was the primary challenge for this company, which faced 430 hours of downtime over seven months. By implementing DMAIC, the company was able to:

• Identify inefficiencies in production operations
• Implement corrective measures to reduce unplanned failures and downtime
• Maintain strict controls and systems to avoid plant downtime 

Results? The outcome was impressive—overall efficiency improved dramatically, jumping from 42% to a significantly higher percentage.

Examples of Applying the DMAIC Framework 

One of the most frequently asked questions is about the examples of DMAIC implementation. Find the following examples in real time to understand its implementation.

1. Reducing Hospital-Acquired Infections

This case explains the real-world success of implementing DMAIC in the King Fahad Hospital of the University of Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. 

Hospital-acquired infections are a serious problem. The DMAIC framework and lean principles can help reduce infections effectively, and the study incorporated the LSS DMAIC to minimize hospital-acquired infections. 

The HAI rate fell from 3.92 to 2.73 after implementing DMAIC. 

2. Cleaning and Organizing Your Garage

Here’s a more thorough explanation of the improvement framework. This ain’t something restricted to professional goals only. Let’s understand it by considering revamping our garage/ 

The scenario involves cleaning your garage to create space for a new vehicle. 

Define

• Set the project’s scope! It requires you to focus only on the garage exclusively. 

Measure: 

• Assess the current layout and measure the open floor space. 
• Establish a clear goal for the amount of space needed for the new vehicle. 

Analyze

• Take inventory of the items stored in the garage.
• Categorize them and identify clutter or underutilized storage areas.

Improve

Declutter by:

•  removing unnecessary items
• organizing tools and materials
• installing shelves or vertical storage to maximize space.

Control

• Maintain the organized space by labeling storage areas.
• Don’t miss weekly checks! These ensure the garage stays clean and functional.

DMADV: Developing a New Product, Service, or Process

As mentioned, this Six Sigma framework works best when designing a NEW process, product, or service is intended. Like DMAIC, it also involves five phases to meet the goal. It helps you develop a process or product by identifying requirements for new processes while ensuring they meet those requirements. 

A practical example of this could be designing a customer care team. Developing a new service with DMADV can be achieved with optimal training and staffing. 

Phases of DMADV

Replacing “implement by Design” and  “control by verify” shows how DMADV differs from the former in its five phases. 

Define	This is where you’ll have to clearly outline the design objectives. This phase centers around establishing the project’s goals and aligning them with customer needs.
Measure	Collect data to understand initial conditions and project dynamics.
Analyze	This phase requires gaining insights from the collected data to identify challenges and also set requirements.
Design	Using the insights collected in the previous phase, you’ll be developing and refining conceptual and detailed designs. Designing tools like CAD and 3D modeling can help you develop effortless designs.
Verify	Compare actual outcomes with expected results. Meanwhile, make sure your design aligns with original goals and customer needs.

 

Case Study: Redesigning a Performance Management System

This case study involves a financial services company that used DMADV. The goal was to overhaul, transform, or redesign outdated performance management systems. With this approach, the company addressed key issues like inconsistent metrics and lack of transparency. 

Using DMADV, the project met success by:

• Establishing clear goals
• Standardizing metrics
• Empowering employees with access to their performance data
• Automating reporting system.

Results? A dynamic, fair, and employee-friendly system.

Best Practices and Tools for Implementing DMADV

Have an idea to implement? Or looking forward to designing an entire system? If yes, try out these practices and tools for significant results. 

1. Assemble a Cross-Functional Team

First thing first – DMADV requires a well-rounded, cross-functional team. 

For instance, an ideal team might include stakeholders or the following representatives:

1. Engineering experts to provide technical expertise
2. Operational experts to align the new project with existing workflows
3. Marketing gurus to understand customer needs and market demands
4. Customer Service representatives represent the end user’s perspective

2. Leverage Data Collection and Analysis

The following tools and techniques work incredibly well for data collection and analysis:

Data Collection Methods	Statistical Analysis Techniques
Surveys to collect customer feedback	Hypothesis testing to evaluate design assumptions
Focus groups to explore customer preferences and pain points	Regression analysis to identify relationships between variables
Process monitoring systems to capture real-time performance metrics	Design of Experiments to systematically test and optimize design variables

3. Utilize Advanced Design Tools

Here is the list of the tools and technologies that can assist teams in visualizing and developing effective designs:

• Computer-Aided Design Software
• 3D Modeling Tools
• Prototyping Software
• Virtual Simulation Environments

4. Implement Robust Risk Management

Developing a new product, service, or process naturally carries risks. To effectively manage this, we require proactive management of these risks, which can be done by:

1. Failure Mode and Effects Analysis to systematically identify potential failure points and take action to address them on a priority basis. 
2. Risk Assessment Matrices evaluate the likelihood and impact of identified risks.
3. Contingency Planning helps prepare strategies to address potential setbacks and minimize disruptions to the project timeline.

What Makes DMAIC Different From DMADV? 

Below is the list of the key differences that make these Lean Six Sigma frameworks different from each other. 

Aspect	DMAIC	DMADV
Focus	DMAIC improves existing processes	DMADV creates new ones
Phases	The last two phases in DMAIC are Improve & Control	DMADV has them as Design & Verify
State of Process	DMAIC evaluates the current state	DMADV starts with no prior state
Data Collection	DMAIC focuses on analyzing current processes	DMADV is more focused on the development
Performance Analysis	DMAIC includes Before and After analysis	DMADV offers no such pre and post-analysis
Objective	Minimizes errors and improves processes	Prevents errors by redesigning robust processes
Project Timeline	DMAIC is best for short-term projects	DMADV is more applicable to long-term projects
Outcome	Provides specific solutions for process improvement	Forms part of a broader design solution.
Performance Monitoring	DMAIC controls and enhances future process performance	Verifies if the design meets specified requirements
Initiation Point	Begins with an identified problem	Starts with an innovative solution or concept

Are DMAIC and DMADV Similar in Any Way?

Yes, they are! Check out how! 

Criteria for Similarities	Similarities
Methods	Both use iterative, collaborative, and adaptive methods for problem-solving.
Tools & Techniques	Both use common tools and techniques such as: Voice of the Customer Control Charts Quality Function Deployment Failure Mode and Effects Analysis Design of Experiments Histograms Critical to Quality Pareto Charts Prioritization Matrix  Action / Improvement Plans
Customer Service	Both focus on enhancing customer service

Conclusion

So, what’s your goal? Improving the current processes or designing an advanced and up-to-date system? Both these outcomes are possible with the Six Sigma DMAIC and DMADV, respectively. These Lean Six Sigma methodologies ensure your organization faces less waste and variability and more customer satisfaction and overall efficiency. 

DMAIC vs DMADV takes you on a detailed journey across these two concepts, so learn the details and decide which one you will implement to minimize the risk of recurring issues to the fullest.