Page 134 - Six Sigma Demystified

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c h a p t e r

Analyze Stage

Objectives

The objectives within the analyze stage of the define, measure, analyze, im-
prove, and control (DMAIC) problem- solving methodology include

• Analysis of the value stream, the necessary steps that produce value for
the customer
• Analysis of the sources of variation
• Determination of the process drivers, the little y’s that correlate with the
stakeholder requirements and significantly influence the process output

Value-­Stream­Analysis

Value- stream analysis is a key contribution to Six Sigma, borrowed from the
lean methodology. (For more details on the lean methodology, refer to that
section in Part 3.) The term value stream refers to the necessary activities
that contribute value to the product or service, as determined by the
customer.
Once a process has been mapped, each process step can be categorized as
one of the following:

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