A Comparison of Six Sigma, Lean, and DFSS
Comparing DFSS with Six Sigma
In Six Sigma, the DMAIC methodology is typically used when a product or process is in existence, but it is not meeting customer specification or is not performing adequately.
- Define
- define the problem, opportunities, project goals and customer (internal and external) deliverables
- Measure
- measure the process to determine current performance and establish a baseline
- Analyze
- analyze and determine the root cause(s) of the defects
- Improve
- improve the process by eliminating defects
- Control
- control future process performance
A standard Six Sigma approach does not produce DFSS does not produce DFSS results!
- The methods must recognize the difference in design improvement and design optimization.
- The design must be validated before it is launched and deployed.
- Proactive Cost Avoidance is more beneficial than Reactive CostSavings.
Comparing DFSS with Six Sigma and Lean
- Six Sigma
- philosophy and science of reducing costs and improving customer satisfaction through statistical and lean methods.
- Lean
- identification and elimination of waste to create a continuous flow of materials and information through the value stream to meet customer demand.
- Lean Six Sigma
- combines quality and lean manufacturing tools ... into a systematic model of process, product and service improvement.
- Design for Six Sigma
- a rigorous approach to designing products and services and their enabling processes from the beginning to ensure that they meet and exceed customer expectations and outperform competitive products and services.
