Page 156 - The Six Sigma Project Planner

Chapter 5

Improve

To some extent, the Analyze and Improve phases are conducted simultaneously. In fact,
there is Improvement in every phase of the project. The work done in the Define,
Measure, and Analyze phases all help better determine what the customer wants, how
to measure it, and what the existing process can do to provide it. It is possible that, by
the time the Improve phase has been reached, so much improvement will have already
been made that the project goals have been met. If so, the project may be concluded.
However, if the process performance still falls short of the project’s goals, then
additional activities in the improvement phase must be undertaken.

Important Note
In the Six Sigma DMAIC cycle, “Improve” precedes “Control.” While this is true for
process improvement, there is an exception to this sequential approach when it comes to
project management. The exception is for project control planning. Management of
improvement projects cannot be separated from project control. The following project
control plans should be completed as soon as the required information is available:
• Risk control plan (p. 72)
• Quality plan (p. 80)
• Cost control plan (p. 84)

• Schedule control plan (p. 87)
• Project change control plan (p. 208)
To accomplish this, the team will need to move back and forth between the Improve and
Control sections. To begin, complete as much as possible of each control plan before
beginning the Improve phase. Add additional detail to the various control plans as more
information becomes available. For example, complete the schedule control plan when the
project schedule has been completed.

Optimize the Process
There is still one last chance to conclude the project without an extensive process or
product redesign: optimization. Optimization involves a rigorous, detailed study of the
existing process to determine if there is any way to operate it such that the requirements
are met at levels near six sigma.

Statistical Design of Experiments (DOE) can help determine the optimal performance
levels in terms of the various CTx’s. It is important that, before we experiment with a
process, we first determine its capability if it is operated consistently in accordance with

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