Six Sigma DMAIC Tollgates

DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) is the roadmap for a Six Sigma improvement project. Each phase ends with a tollgate review where the team presents evidence before proceeding.

Phase deliverables

Phase	Key tools	Tollgate output
Define	Project charter, SIPOC, VOC, CTQ tree	Approved charter with business case, baseline, goal, and timeline
Measure	Process map, MSA / Gage R&R, capability study, data collection plan	Validated measurement system, baseline Cpk, process sigma
Analyze	Fishbone, 5 Whys, hypothesis tests, regression, ANOVA	Verified root causes with statistical evidence
Improve	DOE, solution matrix, pilot plan, risk assessment	Implemented solution with pilot data showing improvement
Control	Control plan, SPC charts, standard work, response plan	Sustained gains documented; project closed

Belt levels

White Belt: awareness training
Yellow Belt: team member on projects
Green Belt: leads smaller projects part-time
Black Belt: leads full-time improvement projects
Master Black Belt: coaches Black Belts, develops strategy

CQE exam tips

The CQE covers DMAIC as part of Section VI (Quantitative Methods) and Section V (Improvement).
SIPOC (Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, Customers) is the Define-phase tool for scoping a project.
The Measure phase MSA is critical — you cannot trust improvement data from an unvalidated measurement system.

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