Why Your Problem-Solving Method Needs a Management-Friendly Wrapper

I spent years arguing that DMAIC is not the best problem-solving tool—and I still stand by that. But here’s the twist: It IS the perfect framework for keeping management engaged in your improvement efforts. DMAIC’s rigid five-step structure doesn’t flex well for rapid problem-solving, where you need to act fast and dig deep into root causes. But that same structure is gold for reporting. It gives managers a clear, consistent way to track progress across all improvement efforts, whether it’s a quick fix, a complex project, or even new product development. One framework, one language, one set of check-ins. No more confusion about where teams are or what’s expected next. The real power comes when you use DMAIC as a reporting skeleton, not a problem-solving straitjacket. For problem-solving, layer in your preferred tools (like 5 Whys or 8D) within each phase. For example: Define = Problem statement + 5W1H Measure = Direct cause + data Analyze = Root cause tree Improve = Countermeasures (with management sign-off) Control = Updated control plans and fixes to the systems that failed This hybrid approach gives teams the flexibility they need while giving managers the clarity they crave. When leadership sees every effort—from fire drills to strategic projects—following the same beats, buy-in becomes automatic. Just don’t let them mistake the map (DMAIC) for the territory (actual problem-solving). #ContinuousImprovement #DMAIC #ProblemSolving    • Why Your Problem-Solving Method Needs a Ma...   0:00 Why DMAIC is terrible for problem-solving (but great for management) 1:50 How to use DMAIC as a reporting framework, not a method 3:06 Aligning DMAIC phases with your daily/weekly meetings 5:21 Layering real problem-solving tools into each phase 7:28 The critical role of the Control phase (and why most teams skip it) 9:14 How to adapt DMAIC for improvements vs. problem-solving 11:23 Getting management buy-in with consistent check-ins 13:19 The pitfalls of A3s (and why DMAIC avoids them) 16:46 Fixing the systems that allowed the problem to happen 19:47 Why this hybrid approach works for teams and leaders Interested in working with me to boost Operational Excellence in your organisation, or perhaps more personal coaching on your CI career? Check out my website for details or go to my contacts page directly (www.tommentink.com/contact).