1. Improve Phase Wrap Up and Action Items
Congratulations on completing the training portion of the Improve Phase. Now comes the exciting and challenging part…Enjoying the improvements to your process and keeping them under Control.

2. Improve Phase Overview - The Goal
The goal of the Improve Phase is to:
Determine the optimal levels of the variables which are significantly impacting your Primary Metric.
Demonstrate a working knowledge of modeling as a means of process optimization.
This is a summary of the purpose for the Improve Phase. Avoid getting into analysis paralysis, only use DOE’s as necessary. Most problems will NOT require the use of Designed Experiments however to qualify as a Black Belt you at least need to have an understanding of DOE as described in this course.

3. Improve Action Items
Listed here are the Improve Phase deliverables each candidate will present in a Power Point presentation at the beginning of the Control Phase training.
At this point you should understand what is necessary to provide these deliverables in your presentation.
Team Members (Team Meeting Attendance)
Primary Metric
Secondary Metric(s)
Experiment Justification
Experiment Plan / Objective
Experiment Results
Project Plan
Issues and Barriers
It’s your show!
Before beginning the Control Phase you should prepare a clear presentation that addresses each topic shown here.

4. Lean Six Sigma Behaviors
Being tenacious, courageous
Being rigorous, disciplined
Making data-based decisions
Embracing change & continuous learning
Sharing best practices
Each “player” in the Lean Six Sigma process must be
A ROLE MODEL
for the Lean Six Sigma culture.
Walk the Walk!
Please read the slide.

5. Improve Phase - The Roadblocks
Look for the potential roadblocks and plan to address them before they become problems:
Lack of data
Data presented is the best guess by functional managers
Team members do not have the time to collect data
Process participants do not participate in the analysis planning
Lack of access to the process
Each phase will have roadblocks. Many will be similar throughout your project.

6. DMAIC Roadmap Identify Problem Area
Assess Stability, Capability and Measurement Systems
Identify and Prioritize All X’s
Prove/Disprove Impact X’s Have On Problem
Identify, Prioritize, Select Solutions Control or Eliminate X’s Causing Problems
Implement Solutions to Control or Eliminate Xs Causing Problems
Implement Control Plan to Ensure Problem Does Not Return
Verify Financial Impact
Determine Appropriate Project Focus
Estimate COPQ
Establish Team
Champion/ Process Owner
Define
Measure
Analyze
Improve
Control
The objective of the Improve Phase is simple – utilize advanced statistical methods to identify contributing variables OR more appropriately optimize variables to create a desired output.

7. Simulate the New Process
Improve Phase
Analysis Complete
Identify Few Vital X’s
Experiment to Optimize Value of X’s
Simulate the New Process
Validate New Process
Implement New Process
Ready for Control
Over 80% of projects will realize their solutions in the Analyze Phase. However Designed Experiments can be extremely effective when used properly. From an application and practical standpoint if you can identify a solution by utilizing the strategy and tools within the Measure and Analyze Phases then do it. Do not force Designed Experiments.
Remember your sole objective in conducting a Lean Six Sigma project is to find a solution to the problem. You created a Problem Statement and an Objective Statement at the beginning of your project. However you can reach a solution achieving the stated goals in the Objective Statement then implement them and move on to another issue – there are plenty!

8. Improve Phase Checklist
Improve Phase Questions
Are the potential X’s measurable and controllable for an experiment?
Are they statistically and practically significant?
How much of the problem have you explained with these X’s?
Have you clearly justified the need for conducting a Designed Experiment?
Are adequate resources available to complete the project?
What next steps are you recommending?
These are questions the participant should be able to answer in clear, understandable language at the end of this phase.

9. Planning for Action
WHAT
WHO
WHEN
WHY
WHY NOT
HOW
A DOE to meet your problem solving strategy
Scheduling your experimental plan
Executing your planned DOE
Analysis of results form your DOE
Obtain mathematical model to represent process
Planning the pilot validation for breakthrough
Present statistical promise to process owner
Prepare for implementation of final model
Schedule resources for implementation timeline
Conclude on expected financial benefits
Over the last decade of deploying Lean Six Sigma it has been found the parallel application of the tools and techniques in a real project yields the maximum success for the rapid transfer of knowledge. Thus we have developed a follow up process that involves planning for action between the conclusion of this phase and the beginning of the Control Phase. It is imperative you complete this to keep you on the proper path. Thanks and good luck!

10. At this point you should:
Summary
At this point you should:
Have a clear understanding of the specific action items
Have started to develop a project plan to complete the action items
Have identified ways to deal with potential roadblocks
Be ready to apply the Six Sigma method within your business
You’re on your way!
Please read the slide.