In this work, the optimal process has been designed by $L_9(3^4)$ orthogonal array and analysis of variance(ANOVA) for thermal-sprayed Ni-based hard coating. Ni-based hard coatings were fabricated by flame spray process on steel substrate. Then, the hardness test and observation of microstructure of the coatings were performed. The results of hardness test were analyzed by ANOVA. The ANOVA results demonstrated that the acetylene gas flow had the greatest effect on hardness of the coatings. The oxygen gas flow was found to have a neglecting effect. From these results, the optimal combination of the flame spray parameters could be predicted. The calculated hardness of the coatings by ANOVA was found to lie close to that of confirmation experimental result. Thus, it was considered that design of experiments design using orthogonal array and ANOVA was useful to determine optimal process of thermal-sprayed Ni-based hard coating.