Question

In the Define Phase of the Lean Sigma Six Approach, the subject organization is attempting to define a problem that needs to be addressed. Please explain why this phase is important to the quality improvement process. Your post should be written from the perspective of a particular quality issue you have seen in your work experience.

Answer 1

Lean Six Sigma is a process of solving a problem. It has 5 phases: Define Measure, Analyze, Improve, & Control. This process is also known as DMAIC. It is a five-step method for improving existing process problems with unknown causes.

      The Define Phase is the first phase of the Lean Six Sigma improvement process. In this phase, the problem is defined and the Six Sigma team is created. The objectives of the Define phase are as follows: thoroughly define the problem statement through customer analysis. Understand customer requirements and make sure that the Six Sigma project goals are aligned to these requirements. Define the objectives of the Six Sigma project. Plan the project in terms of time, budget, and resource requirements. Define the team structure for the project and establish roles and responsibilities. This is a crucial phase in which the team outlines the project focus for themselves and the leadership of the organization.

     The main focus of each project is its customer. The customer is defined as the individuals or groups who receive the goods or services of the process. The customer can be external or internal. For example, The Human Resources have internal customers that is, the employee of the organization.

       In the Define Phase, the team searches to better understand customers and their requirements. After interviewing or surveying customers, the team converts that information/data into measurable requirements that provide the team with insight on how to improve the process or solve the problem. Thus define phase is so important to the quality improvement process.