Learn how Agile DMAIC relates Scrum to Lean Six Sigma

Agile DMAIC is a methodology that seeks continuous improvement in processes and projects. In a scenario as competitive as today's, this tool can be the differential to ensure the highest quality processes and meet customer requirements.

In this article this new method will be presented, how it works and, furthermore, how it relates to Lean Six Sigma and Scrum. Check it out:

• What is Agile DMAIC?
• Relation between Agile DMAIC and Traditional DMAIC
• How does this method work?
• Relation of Scrum events to Agile DMAIC and its steps 
• The Scrum role of each Lean Six Sigma Belt and its relation in the Agile DMAIC

What is Agile DMAIC?

Agile DMAIC is a technique applied in the union of operational excellence methodologies, Lean Six Sigma (LSS), with project management, Scrum, in search of solutions to problems with the quality and productivity of processes and projects.

This approach occurs because the concepts of the methods are insufficiently unaccompanied, and as the objective is to solve the failures it is necessary to evaluate which are the best methodologies to elaborate an integration.

In this case the techniques and tools of LSS and the principles and practices of Scrum are used.

Thus, Lean Six Sigma brings the traditional DMAIC method, which is the procedure applied for process improvement, and from its integration with Scrum the method called Agile DMAIC was structured.

Lean Six Sigma is a methodology that seeks to increase the profitability of companies through the improvement of their processes.

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Relation between Agile DMAIC and Traditional DMAIC

The traditional DMAIC has a concept applied in a waterfall format in a configuration where the execution of its phases are dependent on each other, and in the Agile DMAIC point of view, the phases are executed iteratively and incrementally, this by applying agile methodologies with those of operational excellence.

In addition, this new concept presents a more simplified configuration than the traditional one, allowing a reduced duration and the introduction of improvements compared to the traditional DMAIC.evaluate which are the best methodologies to develop an integration.

In this case the techniques and tools of LSS and the principles and practices of Scrum are used.

Thus, Lean Six Sigma brings the traditional DMAIC method, which is the procedure applied for process improvement, and from its integration with Scrum the method called Agile DMAIC was structured.

How does Agile DMAIC work?

Agile DMAIC works with the goal of identifying and addressing potential problems, enabling quantitative management and assessing the use of Scrum practices for each process.

To understand how the processes are executed, it is important to know about the applicability of the methodologies separately.

more simplified configuration of the traditional, allowing a reduced duration and the introduction of improvements in relation to the traditional DMAIC.evaluate which are the best methodologies to elaborate an integration.

In this case the techniques and tools of LSS and the principles and practices of Scrum are used.

Thus, Lean Six Sigma brings the traditional DMAIC method, which is the procedure applied for process improvement, and from its integration with Scrum the method called Agile DMAIC was structured.

Traditional DMAIC

Traditional DMAIC is a submodality of Lean Six Sigma, and its goal is to improve processes to move in the right direction. The term is an acronym for the execution of 5 steps, which are:

• Define: The moment for planning, establish all premises and processes clearly, and draw up the project contract.
• Measure: Know and observe the current scenario and know the possible causes of the problem in order to establish the project foci. 
• Analyse: Identify the root causes of the problem with facts and data.
• Improve: Present a solution to the problem and evaluate its implementation.
• Control: monitor the results and establish maintenance to ensure that the results are not lost.

Scrum

Scrum is a framework that contains event-driven agile project management methods for optimizing processes. Scrum events are routine and thus avoid unplanned events and are intended to monitor and adapt something. The events are:

• Sprint: Is a delivery cycle that contains goals for creating or improving a product.
• Planning Meeting: Is a planning meeting for each Sprint's development.
• Daily Meeting: Is an event held daily of agile duration to review the progress of the Sprint.
• Sprint Review: Is the feedback on the product delivered at the end of each Sprint.
• Sprint Retrospective: Is the event to create an improvement plan for the next Sprint.

Relation of Scrum events to Agile DMAIC and its steps

The integration of the methodologies proposes the resolution of productivity problems, where Scrum is used for the development of improvements and the LSS is implemented from Scrum to improve processes and Scrum itself.
An important point about Agile DMAIC is that the execution is done in parallel with the execution of Scrum Sprints, and in each Sprint improvements are made, so the Product Backlog and the Improvement Backlog is done in each Sprint.

To be able to evaluate and improve the management of these methods it is necessary to create a strategy formed by 3 components, which are:

• Scrum Level Measurement Index (SMI): Application for adopting assessment of Scrum practices per project and identifying causes and how to improve results.
• Scrum Assessment Checklist (SAC): Used to identify issues and collect the teams' perception of the use of Scrum practices and principles.
• DMAIC: Used for goal setting, identifying and analyzing root causes, implementing and controlling improvements to enable quantitative management of the Scrum implementation.

From the elaboration of the Product Backlog are identified which items on the list are related to each DMAIC step, and at each step it is necessary to apply the evaluation and improvement strategies, as shown in the image below:

For the application of Agile DMAIC it is essential that the Product Owner and Scrum Master are trained in Lean Six Sigma techniques, which generates a need for investment in cost and time for training.

So let's now understand how the roles of professionals in this method work.

The Scrum role of each Lean Six Sigma Belt and its relation in the Agile DMAIC

For the mapping of roles in Agile DMAIC a combination is presented, where the same professional can assume roles of both methodologies.

For the execution of Agile DMAIC it is necessary to have a Green Belt professional in Lean Six Sigma acting as Product Owner or Scrum Master, both can be Green Belt, but it is ideal that at least one of them is Green Belt or Black Belt.

For the development team, knowledge of both methodologies is fundamental.

The Green Belt acts as Product Owner, and will be responsible for certifying that the development team is adding value to the increment and that everyone is aligned with the premises of productivity and quality.

The Scrum Master, being a Green Belt, is responsible for guiding the team in the DMAICs for improvement and assessment to ensure the use of Scrum principles and practices.

The Product Owner is responsible for prioritizing the product backlog and the Scrum Master assists the team in the analysis to identify process failures.

The performance evaluation can be defined as the identification and measurement of the actions that the employees of an organization carry out during a certain period. The performance evaluation aims to diagnose and analyze the individual and group performance of employees, promoting personal and professional growth as well as better performance. In addition, it provides human resource management with information for making decisions about salaries, bonuses, promotions, layoffs, training and career planning, providing the growth and development of the person being evaluated.

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