Aligning Traditional Project Management Phases with the DMAIC

Projects are conducted under the quadruple constraints of scope, time, cost, and quality. This article presents a crosswalk for applying the Six Sigma method to traditional projects.

Define = Scope Management: The Six Sigma philosophy focuses on a better understanding of customer requirements, improving business systems

Measure = Risk & Time Management: Leading to better scheduling, adherence to deadlines, and monitoring activity progress. While keeping a close eye on risk management, it enforces better resource management. 

Analyze = Defect & Delay Reduction: Setting and maintaining quality targets, creating and meeting quality standards, as well as a realistic assessment of capabilities.

Improve = Solution Implementation: Working through the execution phase, where the project work is completed.

Control = Quality Assurance: Alleviating poor quality increases total project cost due to rework and other failure costs.