DMAIC which was inspired by Deming’s Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle is a sequence which if followed will ensure that not only will the root causes be identified but the best solution will be found then implemented into the organisation permanently rather than for a short period before it goes back to how it was. If you are designing a new process or product then the methodology used would be DMADV.

DMAIC
Basic methodology consists of the following five steps:
• Define the process improvement goal or problem to be solved this should be consistent with customer requirements and the business strategy.
• Measure the current process and collect relevant data for future comparison.
• Analyze to verify relationship between factors and to identify the real root causes ensuring that all factors have been reviewed.
• Improve or optimize the process based upon various analysis tools to identify a number of solutions and then using data determine the most optimum for the problem
• Control to ensure that the solutions is implemented into the organisation and embedded so that it is does not return. This uses a series of tools and techniques to continuously measure the process and institute control mechanisms.

DMADV
Basic methodology consists of the following five steps:
• Define the goals of the design activity that are consistent with customer requirements and business strategy.
• Measure and identify CTQs (critical to qualities), product capabilities, production process capability, and risk assessments.
• Analyze to develop and design alternatives, create high-level design and evaluate design capability to select the best design.
• Design details, optimize the design, and plan for design verification.
• Verify the design, set up pilot runs, implement production process and handover to process owners.

Many people get confused by Six Sigma and believe that it is simply a case of applying a number of tools. This has lead to many failed implantations of the methodologies. Other people are put off Six Sigma by the amount of data collection and analysis which is used. Simply put Six Sigma is all about data, if you have not got data you are just another person with an opinion. One of the reasons Six Sigma has been so successful in companies such as Motorola is that it is all data driven the methodology makes you use the data, analyse the data and then come up with solutions. To do this you must use statistics and tools which use stats to investigate and solve problems. As such typical tools used in Six Sigma include:-
They can seam daunting and put off many people but the simple truth is that you don’t have to know them all. You don’t even need to use them all. It is good ideas to have one or two people in your organisation who have detailed knowledge of them all you have to do is to know when they should be used then call in the experts.

When used properly Six Sigma can dramatically reduce variation in your processes and lead to massive savings. However when coupled with Lean it becomes even more powerful.

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