What is the main objective of the Control phase?

The primary objective of the Control phase in the Six Sigma methodology is to sustain the improvements achieved during the earlier phases of the project. This is crucial because, after implementing changes to improve processes, there is a risk that the gains made may not last over time. By focusing on maintaining the improvements, organizations ensure that the benefits derived from their efforts are retained and that the processes operate efficiently in the long term.

The Control phase involves establishing monitoring systems and control plans to track key metrics and ensure that the process remains stable and improvements are consistently upheld. This may include defining standard operating procedures, regular reviews of performance data, and corrective actions if the performance deviates from the expected standards.

While initiating new projects and analyzing customer feedback are important aspects of overall project management and process improvement, they are not the main focus during the Control phase. Similarly, reducing costs can be a beneficial outcome of improvements but is not the primary objective of this specific phase; the emphasis here is on sustaining the gains rather than solely on cost reduction.