1. Practical Assessment Project Template – REV. 5.2
Project title: <title of the project>
Organization: <name of your organization>
Project leader: <your name>
Belt level: <Black or Green Belt>
Revision date:
<e.g >

2. DMAIC Introduction for this template
Objectives of this presentation:
Certification by LSSA
Project summary for your organization
Guidelines:
Methodology and logic understandable, for a Lean Six Sigma trained external colleague
Instructions can be found in the speaker notes, read them carefully
Clear conclusions on each sheet
Target for certification is max. 25 sheets (no limit for internal use)
No back-up sheets
Delete this slide before handing in.

3. DMAIC Process improvement roadmap
DMAIC roadmap
Define 1 Define and Scope project
2 Define defect and CTQs
3 Plan and document project
Measure 4 Evaluate measurement system
5 Establish baseline
6 Set improvement goals
Analyze 7 Map process and identify inputs
8 Isolate key inputs
9 Develop Y = f(X) function
Improve 10 Determine improvement plan / optimum settings
11 Implement proposed improvement
12 Validate proposed improvement
Control 13 Implement control strategy
14 Close out project

4. DEFINE 1 – Define and scope project
Problem description:
Probleem descriptie:
What is wrong, how does it affect the customer, what is the pain for the organization?
Is it a priority, so in line with top-down priorities?
Add picture or drawing to explain
Objecties:
What do we want to achieve?
Helicopter view description.
Objectives:

5. DEFINE 1 – Define and scope project
Target:
In Scope
Out of Scope:
Deliverables:
Hard Benefits:
Target: Describe the quantified, measurable result (not the solution!). What is the required timing?
In Scope: What are the boundaries of the process to analyze; what are you allowed to change?
Out of Scope: What not …?
Deliverables: What evidence to put on the table to show that target metrics are met? This is the key element in the agreement with the champion
Hard Benefits: Summarize the calculation to show that this is a ‘major cost saving’ or cost avoidance, in Keuro/year. Upon need add a separate sheet
Soft Benefits: Any nice additional benefits, like customer satisfaction, learning Lean Six Sigma
Risk Assessment: What are the main risks of this project? How would you mitigate them?
Soft Benefits:
Risk Assessment

6. DEFINE 2 - Define defects and CTQs
Start from customer perspective
‘OK for customer’
Customer specification
Internal specification
VOC
Variable: ………
Target: …………
Specifications: ……
CTQ ext
Variable: ………
Target: ……
Specifications: …………
CTQ int
VOC: This can be a vague description of the critical variable
CTQext: Describe the measurable variable and specifications as required by the customer.
CTQint: Describe the measurable variable and specifications as defined in own organization. Can be different from the CTQext, but must have a known/proven relation with CTQext.
High level, describe until highest level measurable CTQ int. (the project target)
Legend: Solid line: proven relation
Dotted line: relation tbd.
Grey box: out of scope
White box: potential CTQ, or group of CTQs

7. DEFINE 3 – Plan and document project
Project Team
Supplier:
Champion:
User:
MBB:
Project leader (Belt):
Name:
Role:
Responsibility:
Supplier: Who provides resources
Champion: Driving for success
User: Will benefit from the results
MBB: Coach for methodology
Team: Actively involved members in team meetings

8. DEFINE 3 – Plan and document project
SIPOC Process Map
Suppliers
Inputs
Process
Outputs
Customers
Specification
Type
START
SIPOC is mandatory for process improvement
For design improvement: visualize product problem area
Suppliers
Inputs: Input variables: Controllable variables + specs, main noises, SOPs
Process: If helpful show below detailed steps on the process
Outputs: Output variables
Customers
END

9. DEFINE 3 – Plan and document project
Communication plan …
From the stakeholder analysis, present the communication plan
Conclusion:

10. DEFINE Self Assessment
Correct
NA (6 Sigma)
NA (Lean)
Define 1
Project addresses a clear problem description or business opportunity. 2
Problem description has been clearly defined. 3
Goals have been clearly defined and are measurable. 4
VOC and VOB have been clearly defined and requirements are understood. 5
Scope of the project has been clearly delineated. 6
Key stakeholders have been identified. 7
Relevant CTQ(s) have been selected and a CTQ-flowdown has been constructed. 8
High level process description has been made (e.g. SIPOC).
Self Assessment

11. MEASURE 4 – data/measurement of problem
For Target internal CTQs
Measurement error
CTQ int
Evaluate whether measurement error for the CTQ int, described in the target is good enough for this project.
e.g. reference data, GR&R, bias, attribute agreement, etc.
Conclusion:

12. MEASURE 5 – Establish baseline (current state)…
How is the situation on the CTQs in the beginning of the project? (measured with the known error) e.g. results of capability & performance study
If historical measurement error is unknown, add a note.
Visualize if possible, for instance in time.
Conclusion:

13. MEASURE 6 – Set improvement goals…
Evaluate whether the original target(s) are realistic. If necessary describe the rational why the targets are being adjusted.
Conclusion:

14. MEASURE Self Assessment
Correct
NA (6 Sigma)
NA (Lean)
Measure 1
The collected data has been proven to be representative for the project. 2
Validity of the data has been verified in an appropriate way (measurement system analysis if applicable). X* 3
Historical data has been used to visualize process stability and performance over time. 4
Performance against requirements has been checked. 5
Variation in the process has been considered (common cause or special cause). X 6
Short term versus long term performance has been considered.
Self Assessment

15. ANALYZE 7 – Map process and identify inputs
Process Map
Input variable 1 Input variable 2
(process
step 1)
Input variable 1 Input variable 2 ….
Input variable 1 Input variable 2 ….
Use this format for process improvement (in case of Lean project use a VSM)
For design improvement use Boundary Diagram or Parameter Diagram, for the applicable function(s)
The output variables should be the CTQs
Input variable 1 Input variable 2
(process
step x)
Output variable 1 Output variable 2
Output variable 3
Conclusion:

16. ANALYZE 7 - Map process and identify inputs
Ishikawa Diagram
Measurement
Machine
Men
Defect
Create this diagram to complete and categorize the list of inputs
Methods
Environment
Materials
Conclusion:

17. ANALYZE 8 – Isolate key inputs…
If a large number of inputs is identified, it is important to limit the analysis to a small set of important (key)inputs.
Tools include: Cause & effect matrix, screening (DOE), FMEA
Conclusion:

18. ANALYZE 9 – Develop Y=f(X) function
Relationship between the key inputs and performances (CTQ) …
Tools: Anova, Regression, DOE, simulation, etc
Conclusion:

19. ANALYZE Self Assessment
Correct
NA (6 Sigma)
NA (Lean)
Analyze 1
Process has been mapped in detail (e.g. Process Flow / VSM Current State). 2
Potential factors of influence have been determined. 3
Analysis have been used to identify factors with highest influence (e.g. Cause & Effect / FMEA). 4
Hypothesis for root cause has been defined properly. X 5
Input data has been collected and analyzed correctly. 6
Graphical and statistical techniques have been applied to investigate root causes. 7
Major root causes have been identified. 8
Conclusions are clear and have demonstrated strong evidence/are statistically valid.
Self Assessment

20. IMPROVE 10 – improvement plan / Optimum settings
Improvement plan / action plan …
DOE, simulation, etc
Conclusion:

21. IMPROVE 11 – Implement proposed improvement
Implemented improvements / realized actions …
Show a list of implemented improvements
Conclusion:

22. IMPROVE 12 – Validate proposed improvement
Validated improvement actions …
Show the verification run compared to baseline that the Define conditions will be met.
Elements: througput time, # of complaints, SoS, etc.
Conclusion:

23. IMPROVE Self Assessment
Correct
NA (6 Sigma)
NA (Lean)
Improve 1
Risks have been identified and adressed (e.g. pFMEA). 2
Improved process meets the requirements of the VOC and VOB. 3
There is a clear communication and action plan towards the stakeholders. 4
The client (Champion) has approved the improvement proposal. 5
An improvement of the CTQ compared to the baseline is demonstarted (Capability study if applicable).
Self Assessment

24. CONTROL 13 – Implement control strategy
Actions …
Documentation
New Proces design
Reports
FMEA
Implemented automation 
Roles & responsibilities
Open actions: Actions and owners necessary to finish this project
Documentation: How is assured that all information is well documented for future success
Roles & Responsibilities: What are the key roles & responsibilities to assure continued success

25. CONTROL 14 – Project closing
Conclusions …
Recommendations
Lessons learned
Conclusions: Relate this to the project objective, targets and deliverables
Recommendations: For follow-up, next steps, or next projects
Lessons learned: For colleagues, others

26. CONTROL 14 – Close out project
The realized benefits of this projects are: …
Summarize final total savings, average per year
Champion:
Date, Name & Signature -
LSSA Assessor:
Date, Name & Signature -

27. CONTROL Self Assessment
Correct
NA (6 Sigma)
NA (Lean)
Control 1
Standards are adjusted and documentation has been updated (pFMEA, Control Plan, SOPs). 2
Rolls and responsibilities have been described. 3
Employees are instructed and/or trained. 4
Evidence of 'In-Control situation' is available and sufficient. X 5
Improvements have proven to be sustainable. 6
Measures have been put in place to monitor process performance. 7
Project report has been completed. Lessons learned have been communicated. 8
Champion signed that project targets and/or savings have been achieved. 9
The controller signed the project for approval.
Self Assessment

28. LSSA Feedback Summary
According to the LSSA guidelines, this project is Passed / Failed,
for this Lean Six Sigma Green / Black Belt level.
Comments:
Define:
Measure:
Analyze:
Improve:
Control: