The Six Sigma Project Planner

Chapter 5Improve

To some extent, the Analyze and Improve phases are conducted simultaneously. In fact, there is Improvement in every phase of the project. The work done in the Define, Measure, and Analyze phases all help better determine what the customer wants, how to measure it, and what the existing process can do to provide it. It is possible that, by the time the Improve phase has been reached, so much improvement will have already been made that the project goals have been met. If so, the project may be concluded. However, if the process performance still falls short of the project’s goals, then additional activities in the improvement phase must be undertaken.

Important Note

In the Six Sigma DMAIC cycle, “Improve” precedes “Control.” ...