What is the Six Sigma approach to new product and process development? What takes place in each step?
What will be an ideal response?
Answer: The Six Sigma methodology includes a process called DMADV (Define-Measure-Analyze-Design-Verify), which outlines the steps needed to create completely new business processes or products. As with DMAIC, the DMADV process places a premium on rigorous data analysis, and depends on teams of black belts, green belts, and champions to carry it out.
The five steps of DMADV are:
Step 1. Define the project goals and customer deliverables. Since the focus is on a new process or product, the Six Sigma team must properly scope the project to ensure that the effort is carried out in a timely and efficient manner. What products or services do we want to provide and to whom? How will we know when we have completed the project successfully?
Step 2. Measure and determine customer needs and specifications. The second step requires the team to develop a clear picture of what the targeted customers want in terms of quality, delivery, cost or other measures of interest. Market research techniques as well as quality function deployment (QFD), which we describe shortly, are employed here.
Step 3. Analyze the product or process options to meet the customer needs. In this step, the Six Sigma team evaluates how the various options available stack up against the customers' requirements.
Step 4. Design the product or process. Here, the hard work of designing the product or process, takes place.
Step 5. Verify the new product or process. Finally, the team must verify the results. Does the product or process perform as intended? Does it meet the needs of the targeted customers?