Implementation Planning and Strategies in DMAIC

In DMAIC, the fourth step is the Improve phase. In this phase, you improve the process to remove the causes of the defects. Sometimes the recommendations for improvement could be simple and easy to implement. However, sometimes it may require a lot of effort and time.

In this post, I will discuss some examples of implementation approaches.

What is an Implementation Plan?

The Implementation Plan is a document describing how you will implement the change in the organization and what activities need to be done to make it happen.

Implementation Approaches/Strategies

Here are some of the approaches for implementing significant changes:

1. Proof of Concept
2. Prototype
3. Try-storming
4. Simulations
5. Conducting Pilot Tests

1. Proof of Concept:

This approach is used when no data about the problem or solution is available. You conduct small-scale experiments to test if your ideas work. This helps you understand whether the idea works or not. If it does not work, you must return to the drawing board.

Multiple proofs of concept projects might be performed to validate different functionality or aspects of the improvements.

2. Prototype:

A prototype is a model that represents the proposed solution. The prototype is presented to stakeholders to get their feedback on the design. After getting their feedback, the prototype is modified based on the suggestions given by them.

3. Try-Storming:

The word try-storming consists of two words: Trying + Brainstorming.

Trying means trying out new things without any prior knowledge.

Brainstorming means coming up with all possible solutions to solve the problems.

In try-storming, you brainstorm on a large-scale basis and put into practice the ideas being talked about in a small test environ­ment (prototyping) before moving on to the next step.

4. Simulations:

Simulation is a technique where you simulate the environment using software tools. It allows you to observe the behaviour of the system under various conditions. Simulation provides information about the impact of the change on the existing processes and systems in the test environment.

5. Conducting Pilot Tests:

A pilot test is an experimental trial of your solution on a limited scale. A pilot test is conducted to evaluate the solution's effectiveness in a real-life environment. Since the pilot test is conducted on a limited scale, it offers the following advantages over a full-scale implementation.

• This lowers the risk of failure.
• It gives you early warning signs of potential issues
• Provide lessons learned before going full scale
• Provides a chance to demonstrate to gain management or stakeholder approvals

   

Conclusion

There are many ways to implement a change in your organization. Each method has its own pros and cons. Choose the right one depending upon the situation.