1) Identify an executive sponsor 2) Together, articulate the problem in a brief, concise and clear problem statement that is contained within a project charter. 3) Identify draft goals and scope 4) Identify stakeholders with the executive sponsor and use DARE vs RACI to establish roles and responsibilities. 5) Validate what you have identified with stakeholders, soliciting their feedback and modifying the above as needed. Matt Rebeiro - Challenge the Status Quo #LeanSixSigma #lss #process #bpm #bpi #ProjectCharter #ProblemStatement

There are lots of times you do not have the full information of the problem you are trying to solve in the project. Conducting user research helps with your ideal customer to find out what their pain points are.

It is vital to look at what feedback you have received in the form of complaints and compliments. Involve the front facing teams who will be hearing what the customers are saying. Capture their insight and then use their knowledge to bottom out how to move the project forward.

Cost of quality can provide assistance in defining scope. Warranty, scrap, rework, and redesign are good places to start. Premium transportation and overtime can provide indicators of project opportunities too.

Defining the scope of your DMAIC project is crucial for success! 🎯 By using tools like SMART goals, project charters, or CTQ trees, you can clearly outline what’s in and out of bounds. This not only keeps your team laser-focused but also ensures that resources are optimally utilized. For example, a well-defined project charter can help you identify key stakeholders and metrics, making it easier to track progress and achieve your goals. 🚀 #LeadershipExcellence #ProjectManagement #DMAIC

Follow the process and the training. The whole of the first phase “define” is about defining the problem clearly and agreeing the scope of the project This is one of the reasons DMAIC is a fantastic framework for process improvement It’s primarily a thought process framework to work through a complex problem and with an open mind and taking a little time to think will lead you to improvement It’s definitely critical to step through define to agree with all key stakeholders what the objective is then follow the remaining steps to drive improvement

Another useful tool is to categorise solutions into quick wins and longer term wins as well as those not appropriate to follow through. Getting a few quick wins under the belt will motivate people and feels like they are getting somewhere.

Defining the scope of a DMAIC project involves clearly outlining what the project will focus on and what it will not. This means specifying the boundaries, key processes, and objectives to ensure everyone understands what is included and excluded. Setting a precise scope helps prevent the project from expanding beyond its intended goals and keeps the team focused on the most important tasks.

Often this stage is where the wheels fall off. It’s amazing how often otherwise rigorous Black Belts don’t show the same care when setting the goals. To precisely define the goals, the investigation and analysis will have defined the primary CTQs aligned to the services being provided. The Goals have 4 stages 1) Goal Statement (two words precise: one verb one noun) 2) For each Goal Statement - a definition of the success criteria. 3) For each success criterion list the measures descriptors necessary to monitor improvement, including the mechanics of how the data will be obtained. 4) Define the target for each measure - and group the targets under each goal. For example one measure may be a valid predictor of more than a single goal

To define the goals of a DMAIC project, you need to establish clear and measurable targets that you want to achieve. These goals should be specific, achievable, and linked to solving the problem you’re addressing. By setting precise goals, you can guide your project effectively and track progress towards your desired outcomes.

Here’s how you address multiple problems across your operation using Lean: https://g1cg.com/blogs/the-four-ps-of-operational-excellence

When defining the scope and goals of a DMAIC project, it’s useful to consider past experiences or similar projects. Sharing stories about what worked well or didn’t can provide valuable lessons. Also, think about potential challenges and how you plan to address them. This extra insight can help make your project more robust and better prepared for unforeseen issues.