Skip to content
OPERATIONS
The same problem keeps coming back.

Transformation DMAIC
Root Cause Elimination

You’ve applied fixes, run initiatives, changed processes — and the issue reappears. That’s not a performance problem. That’s a root cause that was never properly eliminated. DMAIC does that.
Book your free diagnostic
View all services
Is this you?

Transformation DMAIC is right for you if…

The same issue has appeared in three successive performance reviews

Recurrence is the diagnostic. When a problem returns after a fix, the fix addressed the symptom — not the cause.

Previous fixes solved the surface problem but the source remains

Short-term improvements followed by reversion. The effort was real; the target was wrong.

The cost of this recurring problem is starting to compound

Recurring operational problems have cumulative financial impact. Each recurrence is not just a cost — it’s evidence that the previous investment in fixing it was wasted.
Results

What DMAIC delivers

01

Root cause identified and eliminated

Not managed. Not mitigated. Eliminated. A validated solution that addresses the actual source — with statistical evidence that the cause is gone.
Root cause analysis · Solution validation · Statistical proof
02

Control plan implemented

Mechanisms that prevent recurrence, with ownership, monitoring, and response protocols built in. The problem stays gone.
Control plan · Monitoring system · Response protocol
03

Measurable improvement proven

Results documented with quantitative evidence — credible for internal reporting, board presentation, or external stakeholders.
Performance report · Statistical analysis · ROI calculation
The process

The DMAIC process

01

Define

Clear problem statement with quantified impact, project scope, stakeholder alignment, and a measurable target. No vague objectives — every DMAIC starts with precision.
02

Measure

Baseline data collection, process mapping at the relevant level of detail, and quantification of the current performance gap against the defined target.
03

Analyse

Root cause analysis using structured methods — fishbone, 5-Why, regression analysis — applied until the true driver is identified with confidence.
04

Improve & Control

Solution design, pilot testing, full implementation, and control plan design. We don’t close until results are verified and controls are operating.
Deliverables

What you receive

✓ DMAIC project charter
✓ Root cause analysis documentation
✓ Validated solution design
✓ Full implementation with pilot results
✓ Control plan and monitoring system
✓ Measured performance improvement report
Duration
3–6 months
Results verified before close. Control plan delivered as standard.
Book your free diagnostic
Our approach

Built on method, not instinct.

Each intervention blends structured observation, process analysis, and facilitated co-design — ensuring solutions are built and owned by your team, not handed down as shelfware.
We apply Lean, Six Sigma, and DMAIC principles where relevant, always tailored to your scale and context.

Frequently asked questions

Is DMAIC only for manufacturing organisations?

No. We apply DMAIC methodology across any operational context — services, logistics, finance functions, HR operations, customer experience. The method is sector-neutral.

How much of our team’s time will this require?

Typically one process owner at 20–30% time, plus access to team members for data collection and interviews. We design the work to minimise disruption to ongoing operations.

What if the root cause turns out to be outside our control?

We identify it clearly, quantify its impact, and design the best available mitigation. Transparency about controllable versus external causes is part of every DMAIC output.

How do you handle data availability — what if our data is limited?

Limited data is common. We scope the measurement phase to what’s available, supplement with structured observation where data doesn’t exist, and are explicit about confidence levels in our analysis.

What’s the difference between DMAIC and running a sprint?

Sprints are designed for fast, targeted interventions — 2–3 days. DMAIC is for recurring, complex problems where the cause needs rigorous identification and the solution needs validation. Different tools for different problems.
You might also need

Related services

Sprint FLOW

For issues that need fast mapping before deeper work.
Learn more

Stabilization PERFORMANCE RUN

Sustain the results after root cause elimination.
Learn more

Sprint RISK

Prevent new risks from emerging post-transformation.
Learn more

Start with a conversation.

The free diagnostic is half a day — on your premises, with your team. We identify where performance is leaking and what to do about it. No commitment. No ambiguity.
Book your free diagnostic
View all services
Boutique management consulting for ambitious Organizations
Operations · AI adoption · People.
Results in weeks, not quarters.
LinkedIn
OPERATIONS
Sprint FLOW Sprint RISK Sprint VISIBILITY Sprint PRIORITY RESET Stabilization INTEGRATION Performance RUN Transformation DMAIC
AI ADOPTION
AI Operational AI Governance AI Audit & Roadmap
PEOPLE
Leadership Coaching Team Workshop
COMPANY
About Contact Free Diagnostic
© 2026 Chiara Cattaneo Performance Transformation. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy Legal notices
Book your free diagnostic