The Six Sigma process improvement methodology has 5 steps. Corporately, they are called the DMAIC (da*may*ic) process. The steps, also called phases, are Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. A process improvement team moves through these phases by meeting specific objectives (Tollgates or milestones).  In reality, the team’s progress through the methodology is cyclic in nature.  A Six Sigma project may need to go through one or more of the steps repeatedly in an effort to get to the root cause of a problem and eliminate it. 

In addition, as the Six Sigma  team moves through the steps, they identify other defect causing issues for future teams.  A single improvement project may identify multiple opportunities outside of the team’s project scope. The rigor of a good process improvement effort mandates that the team stay on course and simply flag these issues along the way, rather than bouncing from one problem to another. Other teams can address these new opportunities. The net result is a business that has less waste, lower cost, higher customer satisfaction, increased market share, and as a result, increased profits.