For existing business processes, which stage comes after Measure in the Six Sigma methodology?

In the Six Sigma methodology, the stage that follows Measure is Analyze. During the Measure phase, data is collected to understand the current performance of a business process. The purpose of this stage is to quantify the problem and gather relevant metrics. Once this data is in hand, the Analyze phase begins.

In Analyze, the focus shifts to examining the collected data to identify root causes of defects, inefficiencies, or other issues within the process. Techniques such as statistical analysis, process mapping, and cause-and-effect diagrams may be employed to discern patterns and factors contributing to the problems at hand. This is a critical step since, without a proper understanding of what is causing issues, moving forward to improve the process could lead to unsuccessful attempts at modification.

This methodical progression ensures that changes made in the Improve stage are based on solid data and insights gathered during the Analyze phase, significantly increasing the likelihood of enhancing performance and reducing variability in processes.