At what stage is the effectiveness of solutions evaluated?

The evaluation of the effectiveness of solutions is primarily conducted during the Improve phase of the Six Sigma methodology. In this stage, teams implement the solutions that have been developed to address the root causes of identified problems. Following implementation, data is gathered to assess the impact of these solutions on performance metrics. This allows the team to analyze whether the changes lead to the desired improvements in quality or efficiency.

This phase is critical because it not only focuses on executing the solutions but also on determining their effectiveness. The evaluation helps in making informed decisions about whether to standardize the new process, make adjustments, or explore alternative solutions. Successful improvement allows for the setting of a new baseline for the process metrics.

In contrast, during the Define phase, the project's objectives, scope, and problem statements are established, but not the evaluation of potential solutions. The Measure phase focuses on collecting and analyzing data to understand current performance levels instead of testing improvements. The Control phase ensures that the improvements are sustained over time and that processes remain consistent, but does not typically involve testing new solutions or evaluating their effectiveness.