Corporate Design for Six Sigma Institute (DFSS) Certificate
Instructor: Ray Sheen, PMP
Design for Six sigma (DFSS) is a separate and emerging business-process management methodology related to traditional Six Sigma. While the tools used in Six Sigma require a process to be in place and functioning, DFSS's objective is to determine the needs of customers and business and drivers those needs into the product solution created. Traditional Six Sigma removes variation from established processes. In product development, there are NO established processes, so it is impossible to determine what is unacceptable variation. Rather, processes are created and verified during development. The DFSS methodology provides a systematic process for development and leads to the base-lining of processes that are prepared for statistical control. DFSS is process generation rather than process improvement.
WPI's Design for Six Sigma Institute is comprised of five workshops which are presented non-sequentially; one for each phase of the DFSS process, referred to as DMADV: Define, Measure, Analyze, Design and Verify/Validate. A case study (unique to the sponsoring organization) is developed as part of the Institute and allows participants to practice the techniques that are appropriate for each of the five phases. Homework assignments are given at the end of each workshop for the teams to complete and report their findings at the beginning of each subsequent program.
Workshop #1 - Define Phase - Where the basic product gaps are defined from a marketing and business strategy perspective. This session also includes DFSS Principles.
Workshop #2 - Measure - Where specific product performance targets are set based upon measuring the customer's planned use of the product. This session also covers the Voice of the Customer.
Workshop #3 - Analyze - Where concepts, both product and business operations, are evaluated to determine the approach for development.
Workshop #4 - Design - Where product and business operations processes are designed in detail. DFX techniques are covered in this session.
Workshop #5 Verify/Validate - Where the product and processes undergo verification and validation with both the customer and appropriate regulatory bodies. The result of this phase is a baseline of both product and processes that can be introduced into the market and can be statistically controlled. Certification and Product Launch are covered in this session.
DFSS combines statistical tools, such as Design of Experiments, with classic design tools such as Quality Function Deployment and Concept Generation to provide a methodology that ensures the right product is development and that the business is fully prepared to successfully operationalize the product.
Participants should be familiar with Statistical process Control and Design of Experiments as well as general project management tools and techniques.
To learn more about WPI's Corporate Design for Six Sigma Certificate Program, call Sue Hicks, Senior Business Development Manager, at 508-831-6164; or e-mail shicks@wpi.edu.
