Question

Describe the main purpose and significance of the Define phase of the Six Sigma improvement lifecycle.

Your essay should emphasize what is known at the end of the phase about the system or process being modified that wouldn't have been known or understood prior to the phase. Do NOT allow your writing to become a shopping list of tools. You may mention or discuss the tools or deliverables used in the phase, but only if it is for the purpose of supporting your broader theme. 

Answer 1

As, Six sigma improvement life cycle works on improving the business process, further, It uses statistical tools to analyzing and measuring performance of the process, the most Important part, here, any project should be defined correctly, as It focuses on what specific we needs change and improvement, for example, in define phase of six sigma improvement life cycle, we will look for defining the project objective, we will prepare the project charter and we will build process criteria that to be fulfilled, what will make the project success, it will also define the name of project stakeholders, project budget and cost expenditure to be mentioned, various requirements and need assessment can be listed within the define phase, here, whatever project charter is prepared that require approval from project sponsor side and this project charter gives authority to project manager to use organizational resources for the company projects, It is also another prime document that help us to be within the scope of project, so, project scope creep will not occur.

Further, define phase is essential, It looks for aligning the goals of project with the strategic objective of the business and organizational goals, It focuses on creation of problem statement, hence, we need to know exactly what are the problems, and what improvement is desired before Initiating the project, further, It states any reasonable and measurable targets and can focus on that whether the project can be achieved within its scope, time and budget, further, through defining the project we can understand various outcomes those are desired from this project, as any project to be performed considering business case, project scope creep can be prevented as we have set the objective and we also defined various assumptions and constraints as applicable for the project.

In the define stage, we also define resources that are needed for the project of organization, and we also define high level project plan, high level risk management plan, hence, It has high level of Importance for six sigma Improvement project, as we need the project to be executed in specific way, It should bring benefits to all major stakeholders and It should maintain the business case, hence, Define phase is highly essential and to be taken sincerely for a six sigma project.