What is the Difference Between 8D and DMAIC?

One of the most frequent questions we get from people new to Quality Improvement: What in the heck is the difference between 8-D and DMAIC problem-solving methods?

First let's talk about what the similarities are between 8D and DMAIC. Both are step-by-step problem-solving methods. The 8-D Problem-Solving approach has...you guessed it...8 steps! DMAIC has just five phases, but they happen to make up the acronym DMAIC - Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.

OK, so what are the differences between 8D and DMAIC? There are probably people who would argue that there are LOTS of differences between the two. But, as we see it, the biggest difference is in Step 3 of the 8D process: Implement and Verify Interim Containment. There is not a comparable explicit step in the DMAIC process. One downside to Interim Containment is that it can give you a false sense that the problem is solved and that you can move onto the next problem. Interim Containment is typically a quick and dirty band aid approach to addressing the symptoms of a problem and not the root cause. But, the reality is that if a business problem is serious enough, it merits a band aid to "stop the bleeding." Then it is up to the team to complete the rest of the 8-D process including removing the "band-aid" once the root cause is found and addressed.

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