Figure out the Problem and Define Project Scope
Welcome everyone to the first stop of your DMAIC journey, the Define Phase. This is where we set the project up for success. There is quite the road ahead so let's not waste time!
Let's assemble the team
Who is foreseen to be needed to help analyze and create solutions throughout this project? This will be a discussion for the Project Owner and Sponsor. It is critical that the project has the support and input it needs, and this means having the right resources. Once those resources have been identified they, and their reporting supervisor, need to be communicated with to ensure they are able to support the project. Once this is completed and all the resources are ready it is time to perform a Kickoff Meeting. Let's walk you through what that will look like:
- All resources chosen to support the process join the meeting,
- Project Lead, and Sponsor, relay to the group what the project is about in form of a Problem Statement,
- Project Lead, and Sponsor, will relay what the assessed priority is for this project to the team,
- The Project Charter is to be displayed and completed with everyone's input (look below for the template),
- The Project Lead will demonstrate the Gantt and the deadlines they foresee to have the project complete (look below for the template), and
- The Project Lead will schedule a time (once or twice a week) where everyone can meet to move the project forward.
Do you have your Project Charter completed?
If your answer to this is no, then you will need to have this completed. The importance of a Project Charter is so that the entire project has a governing document. In this document you will define the problem you are trying to solve, who will be involved and a specific project scope. This document will be used to ensure the project stays on path and sets out clear expectations. Check out our Project Charter example and template in our CI toolbox.
Let's make a schedule/Gantt for communication and project management
Creating a schedule of the project is a fundamental tool which will be used throughout the project. This will allow Project Owners, Sponsors and other individuals understand what is required of the Continuous Improvement project and when things are expeted to be completed. We have an intuitive Gantt tool which you can use in our CI toolbox.
- Is the team assembled?
- Is the Project Charter completed and signed off by Sponsor?
- Is the Gantt/schedule of project completed?
- Has the team validated the Charter and Gantt and are they approved by the Sponsor?
If you said YES to all of the above then you are ready for the next Phase in the DMAIC model, the Measure Phase!
The Continuous Improvement Team