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Six Sigma teams concluding the Analyze phase of DMAIC with a well-understood problem, strive to generate a powerful solution in the Improve phase. Design of experiments (DOE) is a controlled approach to experimentation that enables teams to systematically change the level of one or more input factors and observe the effects on the targeted response. If teams exercise care in choosing the right design – including suitable factors, levels, and responses – their experiments can reveal the precise combination of factors that will optimize the response. Later, that combination will be tested, validated, and ultimately implemented to effect the desired process improvement.
This course surveys the concepts that are fundamental to design of experiments methodology. This course also explores the basic elements of experiments, principles of good experimental design, and strategies for designing experiments with desired power and resolution, and resource and time constraints. The focus is on the planning stage of DOE, when teams set experimental objectives, choose the best experimental design, and prepare to run the experiments. In describing these activities, the course explores the questions teams should consider at each stage of planning. This course is aligned with the ASQ Certified Six Sigma Black Belt certification exam and is designed to assist learners as part of their exam preparation. It builds on foundational knowledge that is taught in 's ASQ-aligned Green Belt curriculum.

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Objectives

Terminology and Basic Design Principles identify the purposes of design of experiments (DOE) match key design of experiments (DOE) concepts with examples recognize a balanced experiment from its design table recognize factors that should be blocked and randomized in a given scenario distinguish between reasons for using repetition and replication calculate the interaction effect between factors in a given scenario and determine its significance recognize the role of power in an experiment match common experimental resolution levels to descriptions Planning Experiments classify the goal of an experiment, in a given scenario identify recommendations for choosing responses, factors, and levels in an experiment identify considerations related to measurement methods in DOE choose an experimental design in a given scenario recognize the differences between full and fractional factorial designs