| Applies to |
| Microsoft Office Visio® 2003 |
Six Sigma uses the DMAIC methodology (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) as a roadmap for improving business processes and cutting costs. With the new DMAIC flowchart template for Visio, you can start your Six Sigma project by documenting the requirements and steps for all five phases.
As the project progresses, you can also communicate concepts, findings, processes, team structures, ideas, cross-group work, and schedules with Visio diagrams, in as much detail as you need. And you can link to these diagrams and other documents directly from your DMAIC diagram to keep your Six Sigma information organized and easy to find.
Start your project with a Visio DMAIC flowchart template
You can begin your project with a Visio DMAIC flowchart template, available on the Templates site on Microsoft Office Online. Use the DMAIC flowchart template to define the phases of your Six Sigma project, and to link to a drill-down flowchart to begin diagramming your processes in more detail.
The DMAIC flowchart template includes an overview page, and two additional pages containing a drill-down flowchart:
- DMAIC flowchart Shows the five DMAIC phases in a simple flowchart, with replaceable text listing key steps.
- Process Overview Includes flowchart shapes to get you started. Process step 1 on this page includes a hyperlink to another drawing page where you can drill down to more detail for that step in the process. You can add, connect, label, and format more shapes to describe your process.
- Step 1 Details Includes flowchart shapes to get you started on a detailed flowchart for a particular step in your process.
After you download and open the template, see Using This Template in the Template Help task pane for instructions.
Tip You can link directly from your DMAIC diagram to other Visio diagrams and to supporting documents created in Microsoft Office Excel, Microsoft Office Word, Microsoft Office PowerPoint, and other applications. To learn how, see Add a link to a shape or page in a Visio drawing in Visio Help.
Visio diagrams that support DMAIC
Each phase of the DMAIC process plays a critical and distinct part in the overall business improvement process. Thorough documentation can help you be sure you’re meeting your goals for each phase, and signal your readiness to move on.
In Visio, you can create graphically rich diagrams that document teams, goals, processes, and results. When you're ready to present your findings to a broader audience, you can include your Visio diagrams in a PowerPoint slide presentation, or publish them to a Web site.
The following table lists the DMAIC phases and goals and the Visio diagrams applicable to each phase. Diagrams that are available as downloadable templates are marked with an asterisk (*). After downloading and opening any template, see Using This Template in the Template Help task pane for tips and instructions.
| DMAIC phase |
Goals of phase |
Visio diagrams |
| Define |
- Identify project resources, and define roles and responsibilities
- Structure organization to support project goals
- Identify deliverables (goals) and set target completion date
- Get executive sponsorship
|
DMAIC flowchart *
Timeline*
Brainstorming diagram*
Organization chart*
Basic flowchart*
Work flow diagram
Cross-functional flowchart*
Gantt chart
|
| Measure |
- Determine key metrics that are valid and reliable
- Make sure there is sufficient data to measure
- Document current performance
- Conduct benchmarking tests
|
DMAIC flowchart*
Audit diagram
Basic flowchart*
|
| Analyze |
- Identify and prioritize key causes of defects
- Show gaps between current performance and goal performance
- Estimate resources for achieving goal performance
- Spot potential obstacles
|
DMAIC flowchart*
Brainstorming diagram*
Basic flowchart*
Fault tree analysis
Cause and effect*
Work flow diagram
Cross-functional flowchart*
Audit diagram
|
| Improve |
- Break down work structure
- Develop and test possible solutions, then select the best one
- Design implementation plan
|
DMAIC flowchart*
Brainstorming diagram*
Basic flowchart*
Work flow diagram
|
| Control |
- Document plan to standardize and monitor improvement processes
- Confirm and communicate procedures
- Transfer ownership to appropriate team(s) at project completion
|
DMAIC flowchart*
Brainstorming diagram*
Basic flowchart*
Work flow diagram
|
