CI011

Faster Control Phase Transition vs. Sustainable Long-Term Gains

Business Context. Teams eager to move on to the next improvement project sometimes transition to the DMAIC Control phase before the improvement has been proven stable, risking a gradual reversion to the old process behavior.

Process TRIZ Resolution. Rather than transitioning to Control based on a fixed calendar deadline, organizations should require a minimum period of demonstrated statistical stability before formally closing the Improve phase, ensuring the gain is genuinely locked in.

Applicable TRIZ Principles

Principle 19 (Periodic Action) requires a defined stability period before transitioning phases rather than a fixed calendar deadline.

Principle 23 (Feedback) uses ongoing performance data to confirm stability before closing the project.

Principle 9 (Preliminary Anti-Action) maintains reinforced monitoring during the transition to catch early signs of reversion.

Expected Outcome

Genuinely sustainable gains

Confident phase transitions

Reduced reversion to old behavior

Credible long-term improvement claims

Decision Indicators

Process performance has quietly reverted after projects were closed.

Control phase transitions are based on calendar deadlines rather than measured stability.

No monitoring period confirms the improvement before project closure.

Teams move to new projects before prior gains are confirmed durable.

Reported improvement results are later found to be temporary.

If several of these indicators are present, the contradiction is likely active and the Process TRIZ resolution above should be evaluated.