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DMAIC
INTRODUCTION:
DMAIC is the process of five steps of Six Sigma Methodology which is used for problem-
solving and improving strategies. DMAIC stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and
Control. It is also called a process improvement methodology. The six sigma project goes
through this DMAIC cycle, which is a detailed version of the six sigma process. The benefits of
DMAIC as a Six Sigma approach are not the high-level categories themselves but the content of
each category of it. This provides a common and systematic approach to problem-solving. At
each stage, there are specific tasks. Six Sigma is a useful way to solve problems and provide an
important measurement method. It has a mathematical basis and with the proper use of methods
can help to improve the quality of both the product and the process. In addition to providing data
processing mathematical methods to improve quality, Six Sigma also focuses on it a certain size
of business processes, reducing variability around the mean value of the process of more
companies, Six Sigma simply means a certain amount of quality fighting with imminent
perfection. It is a command, in removing any defect process, which includes production and
trade, as well as products and services. The main purpose of Six Sigma how to implement a
scale-based strategy that focuses on process development and reducing variability through
specific projects. DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve, control) a process to improve
existing fall systems below the specification and want further improvements.
The problem of food waste attracts increasing attention because of its social, economic, and
environmental impact. Prashar (2017), Powell et al. (2017), and Garza-Reyes, Torres Romero,
Govindan, Cherrafi, and Ramanathan (2018) provide strong evidence that such an application
will be effective and efficient using a systematic approach that includes logical and well-defined
interim phases. ‘It was found to be impactful for waste elimination activities which facilitate in
the visualization and analysis of information as well as the demonstration of value and non-
value-added tasks in the mapping’ Hartini et al. (2018) It is suggested that the first step to
resolving the most sustainable of the problem of food waste to accept the produced method of
consumption and to deal with its food and waste residues throughout the world food chain.
‘Although food loss and food waste occur throughout the whole food supply chain, from farm to
table, food waste at the consumer stage attracts particular attention because the relatively large
amount of consumer food waste means that all resources input at production, processing, storage,
and distribution stages was used in vain, and a significant amount of Greenhouse Gas (GHG)
emissions occurring at these stages and waste management is added’ (Vittuari, M., De Menna,
F., & Pagani, M. 2016). In this assessment, the DMAIC approach is used in Farm Best
Manufacturer, a well-known food manufacturer in Rawang to solve a problem regarding their
excessive amount of waste on the daily average of 10% in the chicken nugget product line which
leads to the annual loss of RM600,000 in the raw material. To solve this problem the
manufacturing firm is facing, the DMAIC approach has been followed. The main focus of this
assessment is to propose a Six Signa DMAIC and redesign the food waste tracking system which
can be used by the firm for the implementation to reduce the amount of raw material on the
chicken nugget product line and reduce the annual percentage of the loss in the raw material. The
Six Sigma DMAIC approach will help evaluate and make improvements in the process in the
prevention of chicken nugget surplus and waste.
Define:
Defining the problem is the first and most important phase of this approach. In this step, you
have to highlight the main problem that affects the company processes and also finding out how
long this problem the company has been facing. The define phase is also the stage at which the
size of a project is defined. Increasing the scale is a big problem. Someone starts by trying to
solve a small problem and then the next thing you see is you have to solve a big problem. It is
best to define the magnitude of the problem so that you can identify situations when trying to
solve a problem that is beyond the scope. After defining the main problem, the six sigma team
keep the check and balance of the development.
The main problem that is defined in this company was the excessive amount of waste of chicken
nuggets product line on the Farm’s Best food manufacturing company. They had a lot of daily
waste in their chicken coops. The amount of daily waste in the line averaged 10%. The initial
goal of the project was to make a 50 percent reduction in the main metric percentage of daily
waste. The project was selected to cover the start of processing to the end of the process. Hosting
has been described as incorporating all the food items collected in non-perishable red bins,
machinery and floors, and the removal of packaging materials. The core team members include
process development engineers, leading and production managers, as well as staff from R&D,
finance, and planning. A game-starting meeting was held with the core team, where members
used multi voting to identify where they believed more waste was being built and that there was
more room for improvement. This information has been used to help make attention to the
process, during developing a better acknowledgment of the approach.
Measure:
Measurement is an important temporary step on Six Sigma Road that assists the project team to
refine the problem and to search causes that will be the purpose of Analysis action in DMAIC.
Therefore, the project team needs to verify the problem, improve the goal, and measure key
steps. After defining the problem we measure the problem through statistical data. The main
purpose of this phase is to measure and determine the data through the collection of a daily
percentage of the wastage made in the chicken nugget product line.
There are three standards of measurements in this phase which are:
Percentage of daily wastage
The number of waste generated
Waste formation
These three measures are also called metrics. In the first metric, the percentage of daily wastage
is measured and in this, the per day average of wastage of chicken nugget product line is 10%. In
the second metric, the amount of waste generated is calculated, it is estimated according to the
annual loss of raw material that is, RM600,000, the per day loss of raw material is RM1643. The
third metric that is waste composition evaluates how the waste was created. We study the
ingredients and other tracking areas to see where the actual problem and tell how to solve the
problem. The team ran the test in some areas in the product line of chicken nuggets.
Analyze:
The third stage after define and measure for DMAIC is Analysis. This analysis section aims to
review the processes of business and to generate the data to understand the main reasons for the
problem. In this section, we analyze the process to identify ways to close the space between the
performance that is going currently and the outcome that is desired. The team uses data analysis
techniques to achieve the proven causes of the problem. Strong knowledge of the required
mathematical analysis tools is required to determine the value at this stage of the process.
After analyzing we came out with the following problems that have been facing by the chicken
nugget product line:
Excess flour from drum breeder wasted
The full tank emptied at the night
Speed of drum breeder
Oil level
Speed of fryer belt
Gap at transition points
Dull blades
Temperature of chicken
Overfilling bucket conveyor
Lack of space and ownership
Bagger inefficiencies
Improve:
After knowing the core reason for the excessive amount of waste in the product and also
calculating its average. Now is the time for the team to come up with the solution of eliminating
waste from the chicken nugget product line. The team gave the solution elements for the
problems generated which are:
To include placements of carts and bins for rework, it has to be updated inline
The rework bins should be emptied after every 30 minutes
There should awareness of performance that should be brought into line and every day’s
performance report should be generated
The flour that is disposed of after the use should be reused after once used and emptied
into the drum breeder.
To capture the waste at the line, the cart should be created inline 1 freezer, to transfer
nuggets inline 2 freezers.
To improve performance and to reduce the waste in the chicken nuggets product line,
these proposed solutions should in took under consideration.
Control:
This is the last phase of DMAIC Lean Six Sigma, this section of DMAIC take charge of the full
implications of the improvement program, setting up system monitoring controls so that profits
are sustainable. The team applies the solution given in the improvement phase and transfers a
charge of the newly addressed process to the owner in charge. It has put in place a control system
to monitor progress. The team uses some statistical tools and daily checklists are updated to
check the newly developed process and to confirm that these elements of solutions are used daily
by the workers.
Conclusion:
This assessment presents the use of Lean Six Sigma-DMAIC for reducing food waste in Farm’s
Best Food manufacturing company. Statistical interpretation and innovation strategies are used
by the team to overcome the causes of food waste in the product line. In this assessment proper
use of the DMAIC approach leads to finding out the main causes of food waste and the better
outcome in the product line with the solution to the problems.
Question no 2.
SIPOC
Introduction to SIPOC
SIPOC is a Six Sigma Process methodology that includes various stages. These stages include
Suppliers, Input, Process, Output, and Customers. An analysis is used to document the process at
a high level and visually reflect process inputs and how the process providers convert these
inputs into customer products and services. This process is also known as the Customer-Supplier
Model. Process management frameworks use the SIPOC model when the ‘Measure’ phase of the
Six Sigma DMAIC is running, to identify appropriate aspects of process development before the
commencement of project work. The SIPOC model encourages teams to consider process
priorities, such as Suppliers [S] process providers, required inputs [I] in the process, different
process functions [P], considerable outcomes [O] from the process, and the customer [C] or the
last user who is also called end-user or customer, who gets results of the process. SIPOC works
as a visual tool which helps to understand the whole process, from its beginning to the end. It
provides important details in areas where major issues take place. Difficulties may arise at the
end of the provider; they may be linked with input definitions or may be linked to processes and
outcomes that do not meet customer needs.
In many ways, the SIPOC model is useful Concept, Purpose, and Practice. As long as all issues
are not the only ones related to the process, there may be a chance to find the wrong input. The
results may be unsatisfactory due to lack of communication or the client is unable to articulate
their needs. Some of the people, while the process is running, may ignore or leap the SIPOC,
because they do not know how much SIPOC is useful. They could not understand where the real
problems take place. For example, as a physician, who is treating a patient, he would not treat a
patient without knowing where the real problem exists.
As it is mentioned earlier, SIPOC provides an overall view of the whole process and the next
steps. There are many advantages, making it easy to recognize the advanced process
improvement projects before the start of work. It assists in the continuation of projects that are
poorly filtered due to unexplained or poorly defined information. These steps also help in
removing the doubts.
This process answers the questions that are frequently asked that is, we look at where the process
will start and end? What are the major steps involved in this process?
It gives facts about input suppliers. Therefore, in process development, we get in-depth
knowledge up to the level of providers; to find the causes of issues or requirements. Providers
can be internal or external, can be upgraded or adapted accordingly.
The customers who are providing input can be internal or external. Through SIPOC, we know
end-users and customers who are affected by any issues that are related to satisfaction of
customers, and who want to undertake projects.
The SIPOC table, or SIPOC diagram, provides an excellent opportunity for teams, senior
management, and all stakeholders to resolve process-related issues and create appropriate
development strategies.
Conclusion
Six Sigma is a process-focused program, the aim of this is to improve while using methodologies
that are based on the DMAIC cycle. The Define phase of this Cycle uses the SIPOC approach to
define the problems or requirements. In this assessment, the argument was to whether it is good
to use the SIPOC steps to improve customer satisfaction. In the IT call center, to keep the
customer happy and to deal with their problems and requirements are most important. So using
the SIPOC process map and learning problems and their solution is mandatory for the
improvement. Here, it comes into our knowledge that how SIPEC can help in recognizing the
process, this provides insight into where problems are taking place. When creating a project
document in the Define section, SIPOC should be given priority; because it shows those
potential problems throughout the process which can take place. These issues may come from
the provider's side, it could be issued while input. While keeping this in mind, we can design the
whole process to improve our services.
References:
1. Norhazrina Jamil,Hamed Gholami,,Muhamad Zameri Mat Saman,Dalia
Streimikiene,Safian Sharif &Norhayati Zakuan. (2020). DMAIC-based approach
to sustainable value stream mapping: towards a sustainable manufacturing
system.
Journal Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja
https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2020.1715236 Volume 33, 2020 - Issue 1