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DMAIC vs DMADV

Six Sigma is comprised of various methodologies that provide tools and techniques to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of business processes. Two very popular Six Sigma methodologies are DMADV and DMAIC. DMADV focuses on define, measure, analyze, design and verify, while DMAIC stresses define, measure, analyze, improve and control.

While both the approaches have some common characteristics, they do not supercede each other. Each is designed with a specific gola and purpose in Six Sigma process improvement. They are, however, complementary to each other.

DMAIC focuses on improving the performance quality and efficiency of the process - this approach is process-centric and critical-to-quality.
DMADV, on the other hand, focuses on ensuring the products delivered by the process satisfy the requirements the meet the specifications of the customer - this approach is customer-centric and critical-to-customer.

Interesting Similarities

DMADV and DMAIC were designed to focus on different types of business processes. They do however, share methodologies with similar objectives, as noted below:
- These approaches employ methodologies that focus on reducing the DPMO ratio (of defects) to under 3.4 defects per million opportunities.
- Both employ quality-centric methodologies using data and statistical tools and techniques for solutions to general process problems.
- They are designed to improve the quality and efficiency performance standards of an organization from financial and operational perspectives.
- These methodologies require constant support of the Champion and Process Owner(s) throughout the life of the Six Sigma project.
- Both the methodologies should include Green Belts and Black Belts throughout the life of the project, and Master Black Belts during the planning and execution phases.

Important Differences

Major differences between DMADV and DMAIC are as follows:
- DMAIC's main purpose is to define business processes and features, whereas DMADV focuses on defining customer needs vis-a-vis a given product or service.
- DMAIC measures and analyses the current performance of a business process, whereas DMADV defines and analyzes customer requirements and specifications.
- DMAIC analyzes business processes to identify and eliminate root causes for defects and recurring problems, while DMADV analyzes business processes to identify and define alternative solutions that will meet the requirements and specifications of the customer.
- DMAIC incorporates improvements to the business process to eliminate and/or reduce defects. However in DMADV, the focus is on the efficient design of the business model to ensure meeting customer requirements and specifications.
- DMAIC establishes control systems to monitor and verify ongoing performance of business processes. DMADV performs simulation tests on suggested business models to verify potential to satisfy customer requirements within specifications.

DMAIC and DMADV Complement Each Other

These two approaches, while distinct in nature, are complementary to each other. The importance of DMAIC focuses on improving the performance and quality of an existing process and its deliverables, which fail to meet customer requirements and specifications. The importance of DMADV focuses on delivering new processes and/or products to meet the requirements and specifications of the customer, and improving on existing processes, which were already optimized, but fall short in some quality or performance aspect to meet desired specifications and essentially, the targeted Six Sigma quality level.

Progressive enterprises should avail themselves of the skill and talent of Six Sigma practitioners at the Black Belt and Master Black Belt levels to provide recommendation in deciding whether to utilize DMAIC or DMADV with new and ongoing projects. These professionals, if and when included on "Six Sigma-qualified" projects, especially at the analysis and measurement phases, will make a big difference in the efficiency and profitability of business processes implemented within the company.