Measure – DMAIC

Measure is a step within the DMAIC model.

The purpose of this step is to ensure that the current process is fully understood and that data is captured to both provide a benchmark of current activity/performance, compare against the customers needs and to enable the project team to drill down to the root cause of the issue(s).

Key steps

In the measure phase the key element is to ensure that the current state of the process is thoroughly understood therefore much of this phase is concerned with describing and measuring current activities – to do this efficiently a process map is usually required – value stream maps are used as they incorporate data such as inventory levels together with material and information flows rather than just being interested in the process flow.

A data collection plan is devised in order that accurate data is collected and analysis can be carried out and baselines be set.

There is often a gate review within the measure phase – this usually includes a review of the process map, data/measures, a capability review and an updated project charter/initiation document.

Deliverables

* Current state map (often a value stream map)
* Accurate data on important inputs/outputs – used for analyzing process flows, defects etc.
* Baseline measures of process capability against expectations.