Question

Explain the similarities and differences between the PDCA (PDSA) improvement cycle and the DMAIC improvement method. In what circumstances would you use each method?  

Answer 1

What PDCA(PDSA) and DMAIC has in common?

Quality improvement does not happens simply. The process should be managed and planned using the tools such as PDCA and DMAIC. if you want to grow better than your competitor then you need to make sure that your business process are continuously improving. the PDSA(Plan,Do,Study,Act) and DMAIC(Define,measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) these both are problem solving approaches. in both of the case objective is to bring the structure which improves the efforts and short circuit the common nature of making changes without a thorough understanding of the main root cause of the problem. The both methods make sure that improvement sticks, both are qualitative approaches.

Differences between PDCA(PDSA) and DMAIC

PDCA(PDSA)

• This approach  is a general methodology
• This PDCA cycle is also called as Shewhart cycle or Deming cycle, it is the classic problem solving approach used in the lean environment.
• it is used to medium sized problems & Act stage tells that PDCA cycle should start again in order to continues improvement process
• the plan should be done very carefully so it consumes minimum 50% of total time of PDCA
• it has general guiding principle

DMAIC

• This approach is very specific methodology using statistics to reduce variation.
• The origin of this approach is from six sigma world.
• it is 5 step process used to solve the complex problems.
• The duration of the projcet may takes more than 3 months depending on the complexity of the issue and process needed to be improved
• it is specific problem solving tool

In what circumstances would you use each method?

PDCA(PDSA): business or organization likes this approach, because it is mostly ideal for incremental improvement. this approach is often depicted as cycles. this is because , this mean to be something that can be applied again and again. PDSA is never really done. It can be implemented quickly and specifically effective for small to medium sized issues. It is a very useful way of control trail & error type experimentation within your organization's improvement framework. When this approach is deployed the organization can expect a immediate win that includes significant impact on the business outcome.

DMAIC : this approach come from six sigma paradigm, it places heavy emphasis on the data. Unlike in the PCSA which places the Do step in second, you do not get to the action step (improvement) in DMAIC approach until four step in,because most of the effort and time spent to preparation part of the equation. This is perfect for the improvement of the project which comes from the highest risk or it may be more costly to implement. it is usually ideal for complex or large issues, particularly those who needed cross functional collaboration. it is the go to approach for the more reliable organizations. it is commonly used when there is a huge data needs to drive the decision making. This approach is normally developed as a flow chart, it indicates it has distinct beginning and end.