Which of the following activities best fits within the 'Measure' phase of DMAIC?

The activity that best fits within the 'Measure' phase of DMAIC is collecting data on current performance. This phase is crucial because it involves assessing the existing process to establish a baseline from which improvements can be measured. Gathering data allows the team to understand current performance levels, identify variations, and measure relevant metrics that will inform the analysis phase.

In this phase, the focus is on quantifying the problem using reliable data to gain insights into process performance, ensuring that decisions are made based on actual information rather than assumptions. The collected data is then used to identify improvement opportunities and drive the analysis of root causes in subsequent phases.

Other activities, while important in the overall Six Sigma methodology, occur in different phases. For example, identifying critical success factors typically happens earlier in the project, often during the Define phase, where project goals and scope are established. Implementing solutions is part of the Improve phase after analyzing the data and determining the best course of action. Defining project goals and scope also occurs primarily during the Define phase, as this sets the foundation for the entire DMAIC process.