Six Sigma is a great methodology that provides companies with many tools to bring about improvements in business process, and aims at achieving reduction in defects. Six Sigma is often concerned with the methodologies used to bring in changes and improvements. The beauty of Six Sigma is the large number of methodologies which are different as well as complementary to each other, but are suited to various types of businesses.

DMAIC and DFSS: DFSS stands for Design for Six Sigma and is mainly concerned with redeveloping, redesigning or designing a new product. DMAIC stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control and is quite useful when products relating to processes are in existence already. The ultimate need is for implementing imporvements in the existing processes. A difference between DFSS and DMAIC is that the DMAIc methodology is usually identical for all businesses. At the same time, there is not a specific methodology that is associated with the DFSS approach.

DMADV as opposed to DMAIC and DFSS: In all actuality, implementing DFSS is usually done by utilizing the DMADV methodology. DMADV stands for Define, Measure, Analyze, Design and Verify, it is also a simplified variant of DFSS.

A comparison with the DMAIC shows that the first two steps Define and Measure are the same. The third step is where the differences start cropping up. According to the DMAIC methodology, the Analyze phase involves analyzing the data collected for the current process and analyzing it to find areas, where improvements and changes can be implemented.

In the DMADV methodology, The difference lies in the Analyze phase, as it is an effort to comprehend the shortfalls in the system in order to bring about a fresh design for the product or service. New products will be developed, due to this analysis. The main target of the DMAIC is the recession of defects and eradication of waste. These are the culprits in resources being used up.

The final difference is this: DMAIC is a standard throughout the continents, where the DFSS is a method that is not standard, since there is not a universally accepted methodology.