Six Sigma for Managers, Second Edition (Briefcase Books Series), 2nd Edition

Analyze Phase

We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.

—Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

The purposes of the Analyze phase are to (1) evaluate and reduce the variables using graphical analysis and hypothesis testing and (2) identify the vital few factors in order to identify the root cause(s) of the defects. The team members examine the processes that affect the CTQs, and the black belt uses statistical tools to decide which Xs are the vital few that must be controlled to result in the desired improvement in the Ys.

The Analyze phase helps to quantify the performance gap and the benefits of improving the ...