Application of DMAIC and 4Ds in Project Management

Question: Discuss about the Application of DMAIC and 4Ds in Project Management. Answer: DMAIC DMAIC which is an acronym for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control. DMAIC main function is to optimize and improve business project management processes(Borror, 2009, p. 322). However, like any other business process tool DMAIC has both the benefits and limitations. Before addressing the system advantages and disadvantages, it is important to have a brief overview of the core components of DMAC as illustrated in the diagram below. Source: (American Society for Quality, 2016) Define: Entails analyzing the problem, spotting improvement opportunities, the goals of the projects and improvement opportunities. Measure ranks the process performance. Analyze: The processing of monitoring the process to determine the variance what may have caused the difference between the anticipated performance and the poor performance. Improve: Involves getting rid of the cause of the problem. Control: Focuses on improving the current as well as the future process performance. Benefits of DMAIC Durable Solutions: The designing of DMAIC leads to the development of the solutions which are not temporary in nature by the long lasting and sustainable solutions. Data Based Conclusions: Provided that DMAIC is a data based software, conclusions and decisions are made according to the empirical evidence and data. Quality Training: The utilization of DMAIC requires the personnel to undergo appropriate training to be able to analyze data with high level of the objective to come up with the most reliable and effective solutions. Flexible: DMAIC is flexible in terms time. Therefore, solutions and conclusions are always arrived at after spending the needed time for a particular project without quick decisions that may be made based on the specific time limit. Clear Structure: DMAIC is clearly structured and thus it comprehensively and carefully evaluates any process before the implementations on any improvement is done. Lancaster (2011, p. 8) noted that one of the core reasons why business improvements implementation is because of lack of performing analysis before the implementation of the improvement. Supports Analytical Approach: This permits the business to utilize the collected data effectively. Additionally, it guarantees the accurate business baselines. Limitations of DMAIC Rigid: The DMAIC is adopted in all almost all planning and processing process, it may cause bureaucracy and rigidity hence stifling creativity and creating delays. Costly: The costs associated with DMAIC makes it difficult for the small businesses to apply the same as a tool in the business processes. Avoidance of the critical internal control measures: Where the DMAIC is customer focused it may end ignoring the quality internal control measures that are very vital for the company. This is because the tool is greatly focused on achieving the overall anticipated goal of the company. 4Ds The 4DS stands which stands for Define, Design, Deliver, and Develop, is a structured tool used in the business processes. It entails defining the problem to design an effective problem solution. Once the design is finalized the solution is deployed so that the development of the solution can begin(Khanzode, 2007, p. 383). Just like DMAIC also 4Ds has both benefits and limitations. Benefits of 4Ds Easy to learn and thus making it simple to be understood by the project implementers. It can explain the complicated business processes. Helps in understanding the stages of each project life cycle. Defines the value of the products and services from the customers perspective. Facilitates the smooth flow of the valued added activities. Limitations of 4Ds Costly, slow and cumbersome due to tight controls and significant structure. The project is based on forward looking with very less consideration of the backward movement. Unexpected development needs may cause inconsistencies during the design phase. It may be difficult to accommodate changes that come later after the system has been implemented. Why DMAIC is Better than 4Ds The analysis both DMAIC and 4Ds weaknesses and strengths portrays DMAIC is the most suitable tool for the project management processes. The benefits associated with DMAIC are so strong and effective for the organization in comparison with the benefits attributable to 4DS. Additionally, the weaknesses of 4Ds seem to supersede the benefits. On the other side, the DMAIC strengths of the benefits outweigh the effects of the limitations (England et al., 2009 p. 8). In respect of the restaurant project DMAIC will emerge as the best in the following ways; Reduces Errors and Inefficiency: Apart from being applied in the manufacturing sector DMAIC can be used in the restaurant industry to improve efficiency and minimize errors (Bardi, 2011, p. 28. Improves Quality: DMAIC can be used in the fast food operation to design different packaging methods to keep the food hot to improve the satisfaction of the customers. Higher Customer Satisfaction Increases Sales: DMAIC controls the services offered by the hosts, bartenders, and servers to ensure the improvement in the service delivery. References American Society for Quality, 2016. https://asq.org/learn-about-quality. [Online] Available at: https://asq.org/learn-about-quality/six-sigma/overview/dmaic.html [Accessed 18 December 2016]. Bardi, J. (2011). Hotel Front Office Management. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Sons. Borror, C. M., 2009. The Certified Quality Engineer Handbook. S.l.: ASQ Quality Press. England, E. H., Breum, G., Friis, A. (2009). Optimization of large-scale food production using lean manufacturing principles. Journal of Foodservice, 20(1), 4-14. Khanzode, A., 2007. 3D AND 4D Modeling for Design and Construction Coordination: Issues and Lessons Learned. ITcon, 1(2), pp. 381-407. Lancaster, J. M., 2011. Lean and Six Sigma in Hospitality Organizations: Benefits, Challenges, and Implementation, University of Nevada: Las Vegas.