---
title: "Minitab Blog: DMAIC v. DMADV v. DFSS: A Guide on Six Sigma Terminology"
description: Learn the steps of Six Sigma abbreviations like DMAIC, DMADV and DFSS and how Minitab Engage process improvement software can help track any project using them.
image: https://blog.minitab.com/hubfs/B2BML%20-%20NEW%20FILE%20MANAGER%20STRUCTURE/Blog%20Images/Imported_Blog_Media/DMAIC-minitab-blog-update-image-4-Jul-05-2025-11-16-40-3177-PM.png
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# DMAIC vs. DMADV vs. DFSS: A Guide on Six Sigma Terminology
Minitab Blog Editor | 11/5/2019
Topics: [DMAIC](https://blog.minitab.com/en/blog/tag/dmaic), [Minitab Engage](https://blog.minitab.com/en/blog/tag/minitab-engage), [Six Sigma](https://blog.minitab.com/en/blog/tag/six-sigma), [Lean Six Sigma](https://blog.minitab.com/en/blog/tag/lean-six-sigma)
- [Share](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.minitab.com/en/blog/lean-six-sigma-terms-dmaic-dmadv-dfss)
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When you learn Six Sigma, familiarizing yourself with the alphabet soup of acronyms and abbreviations can be overwhelming. From FMEA and C&E Matrix to Gage R&R and SIPOC… the list goes on and on! DMAIC, DMADV, and DFSS can be some of the trickiest to keep straight because they sound so similar.
But it's OK. We're here to help with that!
DFSS, DMAIC and DMADV help quality improvement practitioners keep their projects focused with an established route to follow to completion. Each letter stands for a step of the processes.
### Interested in Discussing Process Improvement with the Experts?
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3447555/334b04b0-57a3-4916-b601-7ca57a7c92b2)
## Starting with DFSS and DMADV
First off, DFSS stands for “**D**esign **F**or **S**ix **S**igma” and it focuses on the idea of creating a new product or process or completely
redesigning a product or process through a Six Sigma project. DMADV is a type of DFSS that is commonly used by many businesses and organizations.
**DMADV** stands for:
| **Define** | process and design goals |
| --- | --- |
| **Measure** | (and identify) critical-to-quality aspects of your process/product, including risks and production capabilities. |
| **Analyze** | to develop process designs and evaluate to select the best design for your process. |
| **Design** | process details, optimize and test your design(s). |
| **Verify** | the chosen design for your process with pilot-testing. Implement and monitor the new process. |
## A Focus on DMAIC
DMAIC is a well-known Six Sigma project methodology that focuses on improving an existing process rather than creating a new pro
d
uct or process or a complete redesign like DFSS or DMADV. In general, DMAIC methodology can be included as a part of other process improvement initiatives, such as Lean, or enacted on its own.
**DMAIC** stands for:
| **Define** | the problem with your product or process. |
| --- | --- |
| **Measure** | your current process and collect data. |
| **Analyze** | your data to find the root causes of defects. |
| **Improve** | your process based upon your data analysis and test it. (Techniques like [DOE](https://blog.minitab.com/blog/real-world-quality-improvement/four-tips-for-making-sure-your-doe-isnt-doa?utm_campaign=Americas_Companion_Campaign_2020&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=six-sigma-terms-dmaic-dmadv-dfss&hsLang=en) are often used in this phase). |
| **Control** | your new process and monitor for defects. ([Statistical Process Control](https://blog.minitab.com/blog/understanding-statistics/variation-makes-spc-and-control-charts-critical?utm_campaign=Americas_Companion_Campaign_2020&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=six-sigma-terms-dmaic-dmadv-dfss&hsLang=en) techniques are helpful in this phase). |
## Choosing Projects with DMAIC in Mind
## 
One of the important components of [good project selection](https://blog.minitab.com/blog/best-way-to-ensure-lean-six-sigma-project-succeeds?utm_campaign=Americas_Companion_Campaign_2020&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=six-sigma-terms-dmaic-dmadv-dfss&hsLang=en) is choosing a project most likely to benefit from the DMAIC approach, meani
ng it involves a defect or a process with changes that can be measured accurately. Without measurements, you would be unable to detect any improvement.
Once you have a project focus, you begin to identify and define the problem to solve. For more information on this journey, check out [DMAIC Tools and Techniques: The Define Phase](https://blog.minitab.com/blog/dmaic-tools-and-techniques-the-define-phase?utm_campaign=Americas_Companion_Campaign_2020&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=six-sigma-terms-dmaic-dmadv-dfss&hsLang=en). Whether you are using DMAIC or DMADV, the real benefit of these methodologies is that they provide structured problem-solving to ensure success.
And when this information is available in a solution like [Minitab Engage](https://www.minitab.com/products/companion/?utm_campaign=Americas_Companion_Campaign_2020&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=six-sigma-terms-dmaic-dmadv-dfss), sharing the learnings is easier than ever.
Customized roadmaps can be quickly and seamlessly created to include any additional steps needed from your quality team and transform into templates for future projects, saving time and the hassle of recreating the same roadmap again and again.
### Put DMAIC or DMADV into Action Yourself
[](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3447555/334b04b0-57a3-4916-b601-7ca57a7c92b2)
## You Might Also Like
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[Innovation & Project Management](https://blog.minitab.com/en/blog/tag/innovation-project-management) | 2 Minute Read
[Stop Guessing and Start Scaling: The Advantage of Combining Engage with Simul8](https://blog.minitab.com/en/blog/engage-with-simul8?hsLang=en)
[Simul8](https://blog.minitab.com/en/blog/tag/simul8) | 3 Minute Read
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