Overview of Define Phase of the Lean Six Sigma

Overview of Define Phase of the Lean Six Sigma The Define Phase is the first phase of the Lean Six Sigma improvement process. Define includes defining the project goals and customer (internal and external) deliverable. It is also intended to create a sales pitch for getting approval from the sponsor for doing the project.

Identify the Project CTQs: During the Define phase, the team must contact customers to better understand their requirements of the processor gather the “VOC (Voice of the Customer)”. After interviewing or surveying customers, the team must translate that information into measurable requirements & derive the CTQs (Critical to Quality). The derived CTQs are now prioritized on the basis of scope, time & cost. There can’t be more than one individual CTQ identified as “Project CTQ” for a six sigma project.

CTQ of a product or service is the characteristic that must be met to satisfy a customer specification or requirement.

Prepare the Project Charter: Project Charter is an important document that summarizes the purpose, current scenario & goal, measures of success, project’s scope, quantitative & indicative project benefits for the understanding of the stakeholders.

1)Business Case: advocates the priority & urgency of doing a six sigma project with reference to the current business scenario & speaks of the consequences of not doing the project now. It also enunciates how the project outcome is in line with the present business targets.

2)Problem Statement: specifies the area and quantifies the problem with respect to customer requirement explaining the impact of the problem. It doesn’t mention potential causes or solutions.

3)Goal Statement / Objective: defines the extent of improvement the project is seeking to accomplish within specified time line.The Goal Statement should be a direct reflection of the Problem

Statement. It should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant& Time-bound.

4)Project Scope: defines the boundary within which the project will be carried out.

5)Project Team: identifies & designates the team of personnel involved in the project.

6)Milestone: defines the high level project plan with targeted completion dates which should be realistic & achievable. It becomes the reference point for project schedule monitoring.

7)Roles & Responsibilities: of each team member is defined to ensure their commitment towards project. Team members are designated on the basis of their Authority & Capability using the following models:  ARMI Model: Approver, Resource, Member & Interested Party.  RASIC Model: Responsible, Approve, Support, Inform & Consult.

8)Communication Plan: is drawn out for effective information sharing.

Create Process Maps: High level process map is created outlining step wise sequence of the process using SIPOC (Supplier – Input – Process – Output – Customer) or COPIS. It helps the process owner & project team to establish project boundaries, identify bottlenecks & locate problem areas.

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