Analyze Phase - Lean Six Sigma Glossary

The Analyze phase of the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) process is crucial for understanding the current state of a process and identifying the root causes of any problems. This phase involves collecting and analyzing data to determine what is happening and why. In this blog post, we will delve into the details of the Analyze phase, including its objectives, tools, and best practices.

Objectives of Analyze phase

The main objective of the Analyze phase is to understand the current state of the process and identify the root causes of any problems. To achieve this, data is collected and analyzed to determine the following:

The current performance of the process
The factors that affect the process
The relationships between the factors and the performance of the process
The sources of variation in the process

Tools used in Analyze Phase

There are several tools that can be used to collect and analyze data during the Analyze phase. Some of the most common tools include:

Flowcharts: A flowchart is a diagram that shows the steps of a process and the flow of information. It can be used to identify bottlenecks and non-value-added activities.
Pareto charts: A Pareto chart is a graph that shows the relative importance of different factors. It is useful to identify the most significant factors that affect the process.
Cause-and-effect diagrams: A cause-and-effect diagram is a tool that helps identify the potential causes of a problem. We can use it to identify the root causes of a problem. One of the most important tools in Analyze phase.
Statistical process control: Statistical process control is a method of using statistical techniques to monitor and control a process. It can be used to identify sources of variation in the process.

Best Practices

Below are some of the best practices that one can follow in the Analyze phase of a DMAIC project.

Collect data: Be sure to collect enough data to get a good understanding of the process.
Identify the problem: Clearly identify the problem or opportunity that you are trying to solve.
Be objective: Be objective when analyzing the data.
Use multiple tools: Use a variety of tools to analyze the data.
Involve the team: Involve the team in the data analysis process.

The Analyze phase of DMAIC is an essential step in understanding and improving a process. By collecting and analyzing data, we can identify the root causes of problems and find ways to improve the process. By using tools such as flowcharts, Pareto charts, cause-and-effect diagrams, and statistical process control, we can gain a deep understanding of the process and make informed decisions about how to improve it. Remember to be objective and involve the team in the process.

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Sachin Naik

Passionate about improving processes and systems | Lean Six Sigma practitioner, trainer and coach for 14+ years consulting giant corporations and fortune 500 companies on Operational Excellence | Start-up enthusiast | Change Management and Design Thinking student | Love to ride and drive