236 Int. J. Productivity and Quality Management, Vol. 17, No. 2, 2016 Copyright © 2016 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. Six Sigma through DMAIC phases: a literature review K. Srinivasan* Department of Mechanical Engineering, Adhiyamaan College of Engineering, Hosur – 635 109, India Email: ksrinivasan.cad@gmail.com *Corresponding author S. Muthu Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. N.G.P Institute of Technology, Coimbatore – 641 048, India Email: smuthu231155@gmail.com S.R. Devadasan Department of Production Engineering, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore – 641 004, India Email: devadasan_srd@yahoo.com C. Sugumaran Department of Mechanical Engineering, Salem College of Engineering and Technology, Salem – 636 111, India Email: mailsugume@yahoo.co.in Abstract: In this paper, the details of a literature review carried out to examine the application of DMAIC (stands for define, measure, analyse, improve and control) in companies to achieve the goals of Six Sigma concept are presented. While conducting this literature review, the papers containing DMAIC in their titles were gathered and studied. The outcomes of the researches reported in these papers have confirmed that, DMAIC is the model compatible for nourishing the benefits of Six Sigma concept in manufacturing, service and unconventional sectors. An important inference drawn at the end of conducting this literature review is that, the investigations on applying DMAIC in an unconventional sector are yet to begin widely and intensively. In this background, this paper is concluded by suggesting the future researchers to examine the application of DMAIC in several unconventional sectors. Keywords: Six Sigma; define, measure, analyse, improve and control; DMAIC; belt-based training; literature review; project charter; cause and effect diagram.