Both the six sigma methodologies - DMAIC and DMADV/DFSS - can be easily used within a CMMI framework implementation. Organizations that have adopted either of the two, CMMI and six sigma, will find great value in understanding the other and surely realize the "teeth" they can provide to their quality and improvement program.
CMMI is a generic framework which focuses on three aspects below and the integration of six sigma into a CMMI framework can be thought of along these three aspects:
Engineering
DFSS fits into engineering process areas of CMMI in a manner which is quite natural. All DFSS tools can be mapped to practices of the various engineering process areas (RD, TS, PI, VER, VAL). An organization can extend its existing engineering process areas implementation toolkit by simply adding the DFSS toolkit to it. The statistical rigor in DFSS can help engineering activities to become much more effective and stronger. In some sense for an organization which is attempting to adopt L4 and L5, using DFSS can be a good way to introduce "high maturity" in its engineering activities.
Process Improvement
DMAIC fits into process improvement process areas of CMMI in a manner which is quite natural. All DMAIC tools can be mapped to practices of the various process improvement process areas (OPF, OPM, CAR). An organization can extend its existing process improvement process areas implementation toolkit by simply adding the DMAIC toolkit to it. The statistical rigor in DMAIC can help process improvement activities to become much more effective and stronger. In some sense for an organization which is attempting to adopt L4 and L5, using DMAIC can be a good way to introduce "high maturity" in its process improvement activities. In fact, CMMI high maturity expects explicit use of statistical and quantitative techniques to manage the organization's processes.
Project Management
The general approach used by either of the two six sigma methods lays heavy emphasis on a project-based approach. In many companies people are working not just on projects but six sigma projects. This reflects the strong orientation in six sigma towards project management. An organization can extend its existing project management process areas implementation toolkit by simply adding the six sigma planning and management concepts like charter, reviews, etc.
In conclusion, it can be said that CMMI is a framework whereas six sigma is a method. And like other methods six sigma can be used within a CMMI framework implementation to enhance its rigor and effectiveness.
CMMI is a generic framework which focuses on three aspects below and the integration of six sigma into a CMMI framework can be thought of along these three aspects:
Engineering
DFSS fits into engineering process areas of CMMI in a manner which is quite natural. All DFSS tools can be mapped to practices of the various engineering process areas (RD, TS, PI, VER, VAL). An organization can extend its existing engineering process areas implementation toolkit by simply adding the DFSS toolkit to it. The statistical rigor in DFSS can help engineering activities to become much more effective and stronger. In some sense for an organization which is attempting to adopt L4 and L5, using DFSS can be a good way to introduce "high maturity" in its engineering activities.
Process Improvement
DMAIC fits into process improvement process areas of CMMI in a manner which is quite natural. All DMAIC tools can be mapped to practices of the various process improvement process areas (OPF, OPM, CAR). An organization can extend its existing process improvement process areas implementation toolkit by simply adding the DMAIC toolkit to it. The statistical rigor in DMAIC can help process improvement activities to become much more effective and stronger. In some sense for an organization which is attempting to adopt L4 and L5, using DMAIC can be a good way to introduce "high maturity" in its process improvement activities. In fact, CMMI high maturity expects explicit use of statistical and quantitative techniques to manage the organization's processes.
Project Management
The general approach used by either of the two six sigma methods lays heavy emphasis on a project-based approach. In many companies people are working not just on projects but six sigma projects. This reflects the strong orientation in six sigma towards project management. An organization can extend its existing project management process areas implementation toolkit by simply adding the six sigma planning and management concepts like charter, reviews, etc.
In conclusion, it can be said that CMMI is a framework whereas six sigma is a method. And like other methods six sigma can be used within a CMMI framework implementation to enhance its rigor and effectiveness.
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