Six Sigma strategies are designed to work as part of project implementation, which is why project managers can seek additional training in Lean and Six Sigma.

Ultimately, process improvement is the goal. While many tools and techniques from Lean and Six Sigma can help with data collection and interpretation, there’s an approach that can help set up a project from the outset: DMEDI, which stands for define, measure, explore, develop and implement.

For those new to Six Sigma, there can be confusion about DMEDI vs. DMAIC, which is one of the commonly used approaches employed by organizations when they first implement Six Sigma.

This article explains the differences between the two methodologies and the steps to follow in a DMEDI-led project.

DMEDI vs. DMAIC

If you have an existing process to improve, then DMAIC is typically the choice. DMAIC – which stands for: define, measure, analyze, improve and control – is designed to reduce errors in existing processes. For many organizations, it’s how they get introduced to the potential of Six Sigma and process improvement.

DMEDI methodology focuses on creating processes for a new operation. It’s typically something that organizations do as they become more sophisticated in their use of Six Sigma. It’s the next level – rather than fixing existing processes built without consideration of process improvement, it works to design processes correctly from the outset.

That’s the advantage of DMEDI for project management. Every new product or service starts with a project. DMEDI supports projects managers in setting up teams and the project framework in the most efficient way possible.

DMEDI focuses on the same thing as another Six Sigma approach, DMADV, which stands for: define, measure, analyze, design and verify. The application is just slightly different. Read more about DMADV.

What DMEDI Does

Each phase in DMEDI represents a crucial step in the process. The DMEDI approach can provide a blueprint for setting up a project, which in turn can lead to a higher chance of success.

Overall, DMEDI can help a project manager keep their team focused on the original goals of a project. It also supports project managers in maintaining a focus on how the project goals align with the overall strategic goals of the organization.

Typically, that goal involves taking a leap forward in effectiveness and efficiency over current processes.

The Steps of DMEDI

Because DMEDI involves creating something new, it offers a creative aspect while maintaining the usual Six Sigma approach of using data and analysis to drive decisions.

Each step is a self-contained process that, once completed successfully, naturally leads to the next step.

Define

The first step in the DMEDI process involves defining the project. Fundamental questions that must be answered include:

  • What is the nature and scope of the project?
  • Who are the internal and external customers?
  • What are the financial benefits?

Those are the basics, but without them, a project has no direction or purpose. In the define phase, everything should be explicit: the business challenge, the desired result, who will benefit and the limitations and scope of the project.

Measure

In the second phase, input from the customer – whether internal or external – is a requirement. The new product or service is being created to fulfill a need. It’s important to know the exact nature of that need so that the project can be created to find a solution that best meets customers’ needs. This phase also provides the definition for success of the project and a way of measuring its effectiveness.

Explore

This is where creativity comes to the forefront. While it’s important to understand what has been done in the past, one of the major tenets of Six Sigma is that improvement is always possible. In the explore phase, a project manager leads the team to brainstorm ideas – sometimes done through a Kaizen Event where intense focus is brought to one single challenge. The idea is to develop completely new, but viable, approaches.

Develop

At this point, the team takes the best ideas from the explore phase and further develops them. This involves looking at every detail of the proposed process and finding ways to make them as efficient and effective as possible. The fact that this work is done while the process is still just an idea is what makes DMEDI so powerful. Every detail is thought through beforehand, making it possible to design the best process. (This doesn’t mean, however, that changes aren’t made once a process is put into place. That’s why it is continuous process improvement).

Implement

A test run of the new process is usually made in the implement phase – or many test runs, depending on the complexity of the process. It then is put into place and monitored for potential improvements – note that there will always be room for improvements. But for project managers, it means their team has created a starting point that is far beyond what most organizations do.

These are the ways that DMEDI offers project managers a framework to set up projects correctly from the start. With this framework in place, project managers can focus on building their team and focusing on realistic solutions for the business.