How is PDCA different from DMAIC?

The PDCA and DMAIC are two techniques that are used by business improvement consultants to introduce improvements and increase the return on investment.

The basic tasks involved in these two strategies differentiate. These two tools most businesses are confused on what strategy to adapt to introduce changes and modifications in the task and processes of the business. It also is involved in the dilemma of how the strategies can be implemented in the best way.

So that the results are positive and changes involve minimal risk. The PDCA is a tool related to the lean methodology while the DMAIC is a six sigma technique. Both of these involve various phases to initiate carry out analysis, plan and implement solutions, and business improvement strategies.

Let us have a look at the key differences between these two strategies and which one should you adopt for your business.

1. PDCA - Lean tool

PDCA involves a repetitive cycle of continuous improvement in business process management there are 4 phrases: plan-do-check-act. It was introduced by Edward Deming in 1950. The four-element PDCA cycle starts with a plan.

• Plan

The managers and the workforce plans how the initiatives can be adapted to address the inefficiency in a process.

This phase includes asking to define the problem and identifying the needs with changes that should be introduced.

• Do

The implementation phase of the planning is done in this phase. It involves supporting the employees and implementing the changes as planned. In this phase, the decision-makers evaluate the intended outcome and the result after the changes have been introduced. They compare the outcome with expected results and address the deviation.

• Act

The phase involves permanently activating the changes introduced in the phase. If the check phase analyses the expected results to be up to the mark then these changes are introduced permanently and continued to act upon the new process.

1. DMAIC - Six sigma tool

• Define

The Six Sigma technique starts with the define phase which involves identifying the problems and the areas where improvement is needed.

• Measure

The measure phase quantifies the issues in a particular form. There are methods used to understand the resources that need correction and measures the problem in quantitative terms to show that solutions can be analyzed.

• Analyze

This involves analyzing the root cause of the problem and understanding the factors that could introduce the potential problems.

• Improve

The Improve phase is concerned with introducing solutions to avoid problems. In this decision-makers demonstrate their change management skills and communicate to the employees the new processes and modifications planned.

• Control

This is a continuous phase that involves monitoring the introduced modifications and analyzing the performance of the processes after the modification.

Which one should you choose?

The PDCA is a safer technique and can be employed in the majority of areas of any business. It focuses on problem-solving and can be applied on a daily basis to solve major and minor issues. DMAIC is a data-driven improvement strategy that involves solving complex challenges. The Six Sigma technique can be applied by a person having technical expertise.

I am a blogger, passionate about entrepreneurship, startups and the web in general.