Design of Experiments is a strategic and tactical approach to experimentation. With much of Six Sigma, we are waiting for assignable-cause variation to exhibit itself. With Design of Experiments, we are manipulating various factors (chosen by the cross-functional team) and manipulating them at different levels to see their effect on some desired result.

Use: The Six Sigma team would use Design of Experiments when they are trying to find out the main effects (factors) and/or the interactions of these factors that are most influencing the central tendency or the dispersion of a response variable – the desired result.

Find out more about how Six Sigma uses Design of Experiments here.

Six Sigma Terminology