We use to see two key methodology in Six sigma, DMAIC and DMADV. These both can be used for different objective and if we talk in details we need to understand what are the key utility factor for each one and what required to implement. Lets first understand process to solve puzzal of Six sigma – DMAIC or DMADV ?.

DMAIC = Define + Measure + Analyse + Improve + Control

DMADV = Define + Measure + Analyse + Design + Verify

Now lets try to have a snap shot of the key difference they have about utility and methodology.

A.Formula DMADV is used to design new products as well as to create new processes. However DMAIC focuses on improving existing processes as well as products. For example, a company may wish to expand into the bottle manufacturing market after gaining success in the water purifier market. For this company, So, DMADV is the better approach since they must create a process of offering a new product to their customers from scratch.

B.Formula DMADV takes strategic broad approach to an organizational problem while DMAIC takes a more narrow approach. A broad approach may mean that managers are thinking of the product or process in terms of early development concepts such as: Is this product manufacturable Or is this product reliable? While DMAIC is likely to be working with a product that is already in the market and there are no extensive changes that are necessary.

C.Formula DMADV approaches an organizational problem or process with the complete blank sheet which means that all ideas and innovations are utilized with tools in an effort to design a product. Outcome product must meet customer requirements at a low cost to the company. Again the blank sheet means that the Master Black Belt professional and his team must actually create a new process model for the design of the entire product. While In DMAIC, the team works on an existing process which is eventually improved by utilizing Six Sigma methodologies.

D.Formula DMADV use to considered to be a higher risk endeavor than a DMAIC process. The key reason for this is that a product or process is designed from scratch which does not have well-established and tested specifications with it. The risk behind this new design is that it could suffer from a number of problems including high production costs, unreliability, poor performance, and poor productivity. Some of these problems are avoidable when a product is only being improved because it largely does not change in its basic design. DMADV processes can minimize these risks by introducing process analysis steps.

E. Formula DMADV requires a much longer time period to complete successfully. Designing a product or a processes means that a number of trials are necessary to test for important characteristics such as productivity, reliability, and safety. These trials are usually costly for a company and require the expertise of product development specialists as members of the design teams. The challenge for six sigma MBB professional is to manage a DMADV project and make sure that all milestones are completed within the given time and allotted budget. To do so, the professional must be focus on the project charter at the beginning and develop a scope that is realistic and effective.

F.Formula DMADV requires Six sigma Master Black Belt professional for better result. As DMADV requires to focus on many Critical-To-Quality (CTQs) factors unlike DMAIC which concentrates on a few. The reason for this difference is that the design or redesign of a product must be tested for a number of critical factors such as: cost objectivity, safety, quality, manufacturability, performance, productivity, and reliability. In other words, all product characteristics that are necessary for successful production must be focused in this methodology.

Success,

Vision Raval