Free DMAIC Templates: Project Charters, Plans & Reports

By Lulu Richter | July 10, 2024

We've collected 20 of the most useful DMAIC templates in a range of formats, including Excel, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Adobe PDF, Google Sheets, Google Docs, and Google Slides.

Included in this article, you’ll find the following:

DMAIC Roadmap Template

DMAIC Roadmap Template

Download a DMAIC Roadmap Template for
Excel  |  Microsoft Word  |  Adobe PDF  | Google Docs | Google Sheets

When to Use This Template: Create a structured outline of the activities and deliverables in each phase of a DMAIC project using this template. This roadmap is perfect for project planning, tracking, and communication with stakeholders and team members.

Notable Template Features: This template provides clear sections for documenting and tracking each step in the DMAIC process: define, measure, analyze, improve, and control. The color-coding highlights each phase, while bullet points organize key details.

DMAIC Roadmap Slide Template

DMAIC Roadmap Slide Template

Download a DMAIC Roadmap Slide Template for
PowerPoint  | Google Slides

When to Use This Template: This slide version of a DMAIC roadmap is designed for use during presentations. Use this template in project kickoff meetings, progress updates, executive briefings, or other stakeholder meetings.

Notable Templates Features: The slide uses color to engage viewers and draw attention to important elements in each DMAIC phase.

DMAIC Project Charter Template

DMAIC Project Charter Template

Download a DMAIC Project Charter Template for
Excel  |  Microsoft Word  | Google Docs | Google Sheets 

When to Use This Template: Use this project charter template to outline your project's objectives, scope, timeline, and key stakeholders. The template clarifies the purpose and direction of a DMAIC project from the start and serves as a reference point throughout the project.

Notable Template Features: This project charter includes sections for entering the problem statement, project goals, financial impact, team members, and project milestones, such as tentative start and end dates for each DMAIC phase. The template also covers risks, constraints, and assumptions to help teams prepare for potential challenges.

Learn more about preparing successful project charters in this guide to Six Sigma project charters.

DMAIC Control Plan Template

DMAIC Control Plan Template

Download a DMAIC Control Plan Template for
Excel  | Google Sheets

When to Use This Template: During the control phase of the DMAIC process, use this template to ensure that your team maintains process improvements over time.

Notable Template Features: This spreadsheet template provides columns for documenting the process, performance metrics, measurement methods, responsible parties, and control measures for ongoing process management. Add or remove columns to customize your control plan.

SIPOC Diagram Template

SIPOC Diagram Template

Download the SIPOC Diagram Template for Excel

When to Use This Template: During the definition phase of the DMAIC process, use this SIPOC template to get a high-level overview of the process under investigation. Identify the key factors influencing the process, and set the stage for more detailed analysis later in the DMAIC cycle.

Notable Template Features: This template maps out the suppliers, inputs, process steps, outputs, and customers involved in a complex process. Teams can use the template to visualize the entire process from start to finish and understand the flow of inputs and outputs.

DMAIC Process Flowchart Template

DMAIC Process Flowchart Template

Download a DMAIC Process Flowchart Template for
PowerPoint  | Google Slides

When to Use This Template: Use this flowchart template at the beginning of a project to provide an overview of the DMAIC methodology and a visual representation of the project's structure.

Notable Template Features: This template uses flowchart shapes to illustrate the DMAIC process. The flowchart includes example activities for each DMAIC phase, which you can edit to suit your specific project.

DMAIC Pareto Chart Template

 DMAIC Pareto Chart Template

Download the DMAIC Pareto Chart Template for Excel

When to Use This Template: Use this Pareto chart template during the analysis phase of a DMAIC project to identify the most significant factors contributing to a problem. Utilize this data to prioritize improvement efforts on the areas that will have the greatest impact on your project.

Notable Template Features: This template provides a preformatted Pareto chart for demonstrating the frequency or impact of multiple issues. This allows you to visualize data and easily communicate which issues are most critical.

Gage R&R Template for Measurement Phase of DMAIC

Gage R&R Template for Measurement Phase of DMAIC

Download a Gage R&R Template for Measurement Phase of DMAIC for
Excel  | Google Sheets

When to Use This Template: A Gage R&R (gage repeatability and reproducibility) study helps confirm that the variability in your data is due to the process itself and not the measurement system. During the measurement phase of a DMAIC project, use this Gage R&R template to assess the accuracy and precision of your measurement system.

Notable Template Features: This template lists the parts being measured, the operators, the multiple measurement trials for each part, and the values recorded during the trials. The template calculates the average and range for each part measured by each operator. It also calculates the repeatability (equipment variation), reproducibility (operator variation), and overall variability of the measurement system.

DMAIC Control Chart Template

DMAIC Control Chart Template

Download a DMAIC Control Chart Template for Excel

When to Use This Template: Use this control chart template to monitor the stability of a process over time and make improvements. Track the process performance to ensure it remains within control limits.

Notable Template Features: This template includes separate X-bar and R charts with upper and lower control limits, a central line for the mean, and individual data points plotted over time to monitor process stability.

DMAIC Root Cause Analysis Report Template

DMAIC Root Cause Analysis Report Template

Download a DMAIC Root Cause Analysis Report Template for
Excel  |  Microsoft Word  |  Adobe PDF

When to Use This Template: Use this DMAIC report template during the analysis phase to identify, verify, and document the root causes of a problem or defect within a process.

Notable Template Features: This template allows you to create a comprehensive report with sections for defining the problem, listing steps taken during each stage of the DMAIC process, visualizing the problem context with a process map, brainstorming potential causes with a fishbone diagram, and confirming root causes with data.

DMAIC Communication Plan Template

DMAIC Communication Plan Template

Download a DMAIC Communication Plan Template for
Excel  |  Adobe PDF

When to Use This Template: Use this communication plan template throughout all phases of a DMAIC project to keep stakeholders informed and aligned with the project's goals, progress, and outcomes.

Notable Template Features: This template includes sections for planning and documenting how information will be disseminated, what messages will be communicated, who will receive the information, and how frequently updates will be shared.

DMAIC Stakeholder Analysis Template

DMAIC Stakeholder Analysis Template

Download the DMAIC Stakeholder Analysis Template for Excel

When to Use This Template: Use this analysis template to assess the influence and support of various stakeholders involved in or affected by a project. Develop strategies to effectively engage stakeholders and secure their buy-in for the project's success.

Notable Template Features: This template includes stakeholder roles, influence, support levels, and specific actions for engagement. A matrix provides visual categorization, and a status column monitors the progress of related tasks.

DMAIC Project Action Plan Template

DMAIC Project Action Plan- Template

Download a DMAIC Project Action Plan Template for
Excel  | Google Sheets

When to Use This Template: Use this DMAIC project plan template to plan, track, and manage specific tasks and activities. Assign responsibilities, set timelines, monitor progress, and ensure that all necessary resources are available for your project.

Notable Template Features: This template includes detailed descriptions of each task, start and end dates, a status column for tracking progress, and required resources for each activity. Use the color-coded drop-down menu to align each task with a specific DMAIC phase.

Excel FMEA Template

FMEA Template

Download the FMEA Template for Excel

When to Use This Template: During the analysis and improvement phases of a DMAIC project, use this FMEA (failure modes and effects analysis) template to identify potential failure modes within a process, assess their impact, prioritize the risks associated with these failures, and develop actions to mitigate them.

Notable Template Features: This template includes columns for listing potential failure modes and their effects, causes, severity, occurrence, and detection ratings, as well as the current process controls and risk priority number (RPN). Sections for recommended actions, responsible persons, target dates, and follow-up results support comprehensive risk management.

A3 DMAIC Template

A3 DMAIC Template

Download an A3 DMAIC Template for
Excel  |  Microsoft Word  | Google Docs

When to Use This Template: Use this template for documenting and communicating the progress of a project in a clear and succinct manner. Create a concise overview of your project to keep team members and stakeholders informed.

Notable Template Features: This template combines the structured problem-solving approach of DMAIC with the concise, visual format of an A3 report. The template outlines each DMAIC phase with sections for recording a problem statement with context, metrics, root causes, solutions, and controls.

DMAIC Presentation Template

DMAIC Presentation Template

Download a DMAIC Presentation Template for
PowerPoint  | Google Slides

When to Use This Template: Create a comprehensive DMAIC report with this presentation template. Use the template throughout the course of a DMAIC project, particularly at key milestones, to present progress, findings, and results to stakeholders.

Notable Template Features: This template provides slides for each DMAIC phase, including a project charter, SIPOC, baseline data, a root cause analysis, and improvement plans. Visuals such as process maps and a fishbone diagram help users organize and communicate data effectively. 

DMAIC Storyboard Checklist Template

DMAIC Storyboard Checklist Template

Download a DMAIC Storyboard Checklist Template for
Microsoft Word  | Google Docs

When to Use This Template: Use this DMAIC storyboard as you would a checklist to document and track all necessary steps and tools used in the DMAIC process. This template can also serve as a detailed project roadmap for teams to follow.

Notable Template Features: This template provides detailed checkpoints and recommended tools for each DMAIC phase, check boxes to ensure completion of each step, and space for additional notes. Use the template as is, or edit the tools and activities to create a customized storyboard checklist. 

5 Whys Template for Analysis Phase of DMAIC

5 Whys Template for Analysis Phase of DMAIC

Download a 5 Whys Template for Analysis Phase of DMAIC for
Excel  |  Microsoft Word  |  Adobe PDF

When to Use This Template: Identify the root causes of a problem by repeatedly asking why an issue is occurring. Drill down through the symptoms to uncover the fundamental cause and establish actionable solutions.

Notable Template Features: The template includes sections for defining the problem, systematically analyzing primary causes, and documenting root causes and corrective actions. You can also assign responsible parties and set deadlines for corrective actions to reinforce accountability.

Data Collection Plan Template for the DMAIC Measurement Phase

Data Collection Plan Template for the DMAIC Measurement Phase

Download the Data Collection Plan Template for the DMAIC Measurement Phase for Excel

When to Use This Template: Use this template to develop a systematic and thorough data gathering process. Define what data needs to be collected and how it will be used.

Notable Template Features: This data collection plan details performance measures, operational definitions, data sources, sample sizes, and data collection specifics. It allows users to specify who is responsible for collecting the data, as well as when and how they do so. The template also includes a section for noting any additional data to be collected simultaneously.

Voice of Customer (VOC) DMAIC Template

Voice of Customer VOC DMAIC Template

Download a Voice of Customer (VOC) DMAIC Template for
Excel  |  Microsoft Word

When to Use This Template: Use this VOC template during the define phase of a DMAIC process to capture and understand customer needs, preferences, and feedback.

Notable Template Features: This template organizes customer feedback into clear sections so that users can record customer identities, voiced concerns, key issues, and critical requirements. By directly linking customer feedback to specific, required actions, the template emphasizes actionable insights.

What Are DMAIC Templates?

DMAIC templates organize information and actions for each DMAIC phase, covering data collection, analysis, root cause identification, improvement implementation, and control measures. They help ensure thoroughness, consistency, and clarity by guiding teams through each step with specific tools and techniques.

5 Phases of DMAIC

DMAIC stands for define, measure, analyze, improve, and control. These five phases each play an important role in process improvement, from defining the problem to finding underlying causes and applying solutions.

Here is a brief overview of each phase of this Six Sigma methodology:

  1. Define: Identify the problem and project goals.
  2. Measure: Collect data to understand the current process performance.
  3. Analyze: Determine the root causes of defects or inefficiencies.
  4. Improve: Implement solutions to address the root causes.
  5. Control: Sustain improvements by monitoring the process and adjusting as necessary.

Lean management DMAIC diagram

When to Use a DMAIC Template

DMAIC templates are beneficial for systematic process improvement, particularly when addressing complex problems that require a data-driven approach. Here are some scenarios where DMAIC is beneficial:

  • Chronic Process Issues: When a process has recurring problems that haven't been fixed by other means, DMAIC helps identify and resolve the root causes.
  • Quality Improvement: DMAIC can enhance product or service quality in industries where quality is critical, such as manufacturing or healthcare.
  • Efficiency Optimization: For inefficient or highly variable processes, DMAIC can streamline operations and reduce waste.
  • Customer Satisfaction: When customer feedback indicates dissatisfaction, DMAIC can help improve processes to better meet customer expectations.
     

DMAIC templates are ideal for any situation where data analysis can lead to measurable improvements in performance, quality, or efficiency. For more tools and information, see our DMAIC dashboard template and collection of free Lean Six Sigma templates.

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