We use DMAIC for improving business processes, and DMADV for creating new processes, products, and services. What do these acronyms stand for?

Depending on the processes used by the hiring company, you may need to be familiar with DMAIC and DMADV.

DMAIC:
- Define the problem and the project goals
- Measure in detail the various aspects of the current process
- Analyze data to, among other things, find the root defects in a process
- Improve the process
- Control how the process is done in the future

DMADV:
- Define the project goals
- Measure critical components of the process and the product capabilities
- Analyze the data and develop various designs for the process, eventually picking the best one
- Design and test details of the process
- Verify the design by running simulations and a pilot program, and then handing over the process to the client

Discuss your level of knowledge regarding these two primary Six Sigma Methodologies. These methodologies are generally carried out by Six Sigma Green, Black and Master Black Belts. So, if you are not immersed in Six Sigma, this question may not apply to you.

"I have earned my Six Sigma Green Belt and have plans to earn my Black Belt in the next year. During these studies, I did learn about both DMADV and DMAIC. I understand that DMAIC is used to improve business processes by defining the problem and project goals. Then, measuring in detail the various aspects of the current process. Next, analyzing data to find the core defects in a process. Then, improve the process and control how we approach the process in the future. With DMADV, we can create new processes by defining the project goals then measuring critical components of the process and the product capabilities. Next, we analyze the data and develop various designs for the process, eventually picking the best one. The next step is to design and test details of the process then verify the design by running simulations. As a Construction PM, I find the use of DMAIC to be more prominent."