Which of the following best describes the Analyze phase in Six Sigma?

The Analyze phase in Six Sigma is focused on identifying the root causes of defects within a process. This is a critical step in the overall methodology, as it allows teams to deeply understand the issues they are facing rather than making assumptions or simply addressing symptoms. During this phase, various tools and techniques, such as cause-and-effect diagrams, hypothesis testing, and statistical analysis, are employed to investigate the problems and determine their underlying causes.

By correctly pinpointing these root causes, teams can ensure that the solutions they develop later in the project are effective and target the real issues rather than merely providing a temporary fix. This thorough analysis is fundamental to the effectiveness of the Six Sigma approach, promoting long-term improvements and sustaining gains made through process enhancements.

The other options relate to aspects of different phases within the Six Sigma framework. Implementing changes based on assumptions can lead to ineffective solutions, developing control plans is typically part of the Control phase, and tracking process performance is ongoing but is generally associated with monitoring progress rather than analysis. Thus, the emphasis on root cause identification clearly delineates the purpose of the Analyze phase.