Six Sigma Practices Questions 2--(ASQ Practice Question Set)

The most significant factor to be considered in establishing Six Sigma project metrics is: Customer needs Accuracy of measurement Ease of measurement Project timeline

The linkage between project metrics and customer needs ensures that the focus of a project is on addressing customer needs.

If a company produces 100 compressors and 5 compressors have 2 defects each, what is the defects / unit (DPU) produced? A) 0.10 B) 5 C) 95 D) 0.01

(5 compressors * 2 defect each) / 100 produced = 0.10

A standard has a known value of 15.500 mm and is measured twenty times obtaining an average of 15.401 mm. If the tolerance is +/- 0.25 then what is the percent bias? 0.396 0.0253 0.198 0.0505

Bias 15.500-15.401 = .099 Note: Absolute value of Bias result % bias=(.099*100)/.500=19.8%

Image displayed next to each question A soda company is developing a new recipe for grape-flavored soda, and would like to get some feedback on the new product without catching the attention of its competitors. Which of the following would be an appropriate method for collecting consumer feedback? A) Product promotions at major sport events B) Public mail surveys C) Focus groups D) Online customer surveys

C= Focus Groups Online surveys & Public mail surveys will not preserve the secrecy of the product and is usually not appropriate at product development stages.

A survey asks for the geographical area code that is used for demographic analysis. This is an example of what type of measurement scale? Ratio Interval Ordinal Nominal

Area codes have numbers that are just labels and are nominal type of data.

The FMEA has the following RPNs. Which item should be addressed first? Item with RPN of 75 Item with RPN of 30 Item with RPN of 156 Item with RPN of 210

Generally the highest RPN is prioritized.

The weakest and simplest scale of measurement is called: Nominal scale Ratio scale Interval scale Ordinal scale

Nominal scale is only the presence /absence of an attribute. Nominal data can only be counted values. Example: 17 blue, 13 yellow and 5 green. In order of increasing statistical power: Nominal, Ordinal, Interval and Ratio.

When using the DMADV methodology, in the final phase you should do which of the following? A) Verify design performance and its ability to meet customer needs. B) Visit customers to ensure designs are performing as intended. C) Establish metrics to monitor progress of the design. D) Voice all concerns still remaining after the product has been designed.

The correct order of steps is define, measure, analyze, design, and verify.

The final external customer for an automobile manufacturer is: A) Marketing B) Corporate management C) Buyer of the vehicle D) Dealers

The buyer of the vehicle is the prime target group.

When using statistical methods for data analysis, the most important step is to first: Determine the shape of the distribution. Determine the standard deviation for the distribution. Determine if the process is in statistical control. Determine the average for the distribution.

The shape of the distribution is key, since it determines what statistics are used to describe the distribution. Not all distributions use the same descriptive statistics (Weibull distributions, exponential distributions, etc. do not use the standard deviation).

What is the estimated percent defective for the upper specification area of a normal distribution that has two-sided limits and a Cp=1 and Cpk=1? 135ppm 35ppm 2650ppm 1350ppm

99.73 percent of the area is under the normal distribution which has two sided limits with a Cp=1 and Cpk=1. Thus, .27% is the percent defective for the entire curve, thus for the upper tail it would be .135% or 1350 ppm.

FMEA is used to do which of the following? Prove to management that extra resources are required Simulate the time and cost due to failure Indicate estimation of an activity Get an indication of the risk involved in an existing process

FMEA is used to prevent failures and their effects by identifying the risks involved in an existing process.

If a team had a listing of multiple concerns and wanted to understand the cause and effect of each, the best tool for the team to use for this activity would be which of the following? A) Tree diagram B) Interrelationship digraph C) Activity network diagram D) Affinity diagram

Tree Diagram

The optimize phase in certain DFSS roadmaps most nearly refers to the desire to do which of the following? A) Test the design and record information for design improvements. B) Emphasize quality attributes. C) Link design to voice of the customer. D) Balance quality and cost.

D= CORRECT! In the fourth phase, optimize, the team achieves balance between quality and cost. The identify phase tasks link the design to the voice of the customer. The validate phase consists of testing and recording information for design improvements. The design phase tasks emphasize CTQ variables and attributes.

Which one of the following in the Juran Trilogy included evaluating actual quality performance? A) Quality improvement B) Quality planning C) Quality assurance D) Quality control

Juran was one of the first to write about the cost of poor quality.[11] This was illustrated by his "Juran trilogy", an approach to cross-functional management, which is composed of three managerial processes: quality planning, quality control, and quality improvement. Without change, there will be a constant waste, during change there will be increased costs, but after the improvement, margins will be higher and the increased costs get recouped. D= Quality control includes evaluating actual performance, comparing actual performance, and acting on the difference. Quality planning involves establishing goals, identifying customers and their needs, and developing features, processes, and controls to meet the customer needs. Quality improvement involves proving the need, establishing the infrastructure, identifying the improvement projects, and establishing teams and controls.

There have been many quality management systems developed in the past 100 years. Of the following list, which quality management tool is the most recent addition? A) FMEA B) TQM C) SPC D)Balanced scorecard

The concept of the balanced scorecard was developed by Kaplan and Norton in the mid-1990s.

Calculate the FMEA RPN from the following data: Probability of occurrence = 6 Severity = 4 Detection = 3 A) Cannot be determined with information provided. B) 13 C) 27 D) 72

72 is the correct answer based on the formula for RPN, which is RPN= [occurrence * severity * detection]= (4) (3) (6)

The success of a design for Six Sigma program is estimated by which of the following? A) Scorecards B) Process sigma C) Response surface methods (RSM) D) Prototype performance

A= CORRECT ! DFSS estimates product sigma using, as much as possible, pencil and paper. The scorecard is the tool for doing this. Process sigma is a metric for scorecards. RSM is a tool for optimization in the improve phase of DMAIC. Prototype performance contributes to the scorecard.

Which type of team member behavior is considered beneficial to team success? Challenging Reluctant Overbearing Dominating

A team in which team members are challenging each other can be considered a healthy team - not a problem behavior.

A process in which a company measures its performance against that of other companies is referred to as: A) Reengineering B) Shewhart Method C) Ishikawa Diagramming D) Benchmarking

Benchmarking is the process of measuring products, services, and processes against those of organizations known to be leaders in one or more aspects of their operations. Reengineering is defined as a breakthrough approach involving the restructuring of an entire organization and its processes.

The statistical technique that allows estimates about population parameters with a known level of certainty is called: Confidence Intervals Action Limits Specification Limits Control Limits

Confidence Intervals are a statistical technique that allows estimates about population parameters with a known level of certainty. Control limits are calculated from the process to identify assignable causes and verify common cause variation. Specification limits are limits set by the customer or industry standards. Action limits are limits provided to the operator to enact countermeasures as appropriate

When working on improving an existing problem or process, which of the following processes would you use? A)DFSS B) DMADV C) DMAIC D) SIPOC

DMAIC is the process that works to improve an existing problem or process. SIPOC is a tool used in the define phase of DMAIC DMADV is used when there a process does not yet exist. DFSS is part of the new product design of DMADV

The typical balanced scorecard measures organizational performance in which of the following categories? Financial, Output, Process, Input Strategic, Financial, Customer, Learning Supplier, Process, Customer, Financial Financial, Customer, Process, Learning

Financial, Customer, Process, Learning are the categories (dimensions) found on the typical balanced scorecard developed by Kaplan and Norton.

Process Performance indices such as Pp and Ppk use more data in the calculation of the index than Process Capability indices like Cp and Cpk. requires the process to stabilize over time can be used for comparison and prioritization of improvement efforts. provide an estimate of future process operation

Pp uses root mean square standard deviation in its calculation, therefore it looks at overall variation rather than process average within and between subgroups which Cp does through the use of estimated standard deviation. Because they do not require the process to be in statistical control, that is stable over time, they only tell you how well the process did in the past. Both process performance indices and process capability indices can be calculated from the same data, but use different calculations of sigma.

Which of the following would typically be described on a written procedure or a work instruction? Procedure: What ,Why; Work instruction: Who, How, When, Where Procedure: What ,Why, Who, How; Work instruction: When, Where Procedure: What, When, Where, Who; Work instruction: How , Why Procedure: What, Why, When, Where; Work instruction: Who, How

Procedures are written to describe: What is done during the process Why it is done Where it is done When it is done Work instructions explain two other important aspects: Who does what How it is done Who does what" is the main concept of a work instruction. Usually "when and where "are considered on a procedure.

A plot of data arranged in time sequence is a: Histogram Scatter Diagram Box-and-Whisker Plot Run Chart

Run charts are arranged in time sequence to reveal patterns in the data over time.

A plot of one variable versus another is a: Scatter Diagram Stem-and-Leaf Plot Control Chart Box Plot

Scatter diagrams plot numerical data of two variables to show the relationship between them. Control charts are time related with probability limits and will not show a relationship between two variables.

Which of the following is an example of a process that can benefit from applying value stream mapping to identify waste in space? A production unit requires the storage of metal parts awaiting rework on the shop floor. A metal plating process producing excessive scrap parts as a result of a poor maintenance program. A raw materials release process requires the approvals of the purchasing, production, and warehouse managers. A production process that requires moving parts from the warehouse to a staging area, then to the production floor for assembly.

Storage is a type of waste associated with space. Value stream mapping can be used to identify such waste. Scrap is a type of waste in materials. Requiring too many permissions is an example of complexity waste. A production that requires moving parts from the warehouse to a staging area, then to the production floor for assembly is an example of transportation waste (movement) that may not add value.

A major airline is exploring the potential for expanding its operations into a Midwest city. For this purpose, it commissioned an internal team, and a team of external consultants to collect feedback from customers on their interest in the new route. Which of the following tools can ensure that both teams will collect consistent data? Control charts Stratification Design of Experiments Check sheets

Stratification is a technique that separates data gathered from a variety of sources so that patterns can be seen. Check sheets are a structured, prepared form for collecting and analyzing data.

Which of the following control charts doesn't work based on the central limit theorem? asq/learn_x.gif U Chart X-bar Chart X Chart P Chart

The central limit theorem is based on the average or summation statistic of independent samples, the X chart shows the individual values though. U statistic is an average of n Poisson samples. P statistic is an average of n Bernoulli samples.

When the mean < median < mode the data in the distribution is: Skewed Right Positively skewed Symmetric data about the median Skewed left

Skewed left distributions have a mean < median < mode. Symmetrical (normal) distributions have mean=mode=mean. Positively skewed is similar to skewed right, In a skewed right distribution we have; mean>median>mode.

Attribute data are also referred to as: Representative Continuous Discrete Variable

Discrete is also referred to as attribute data, which have only a few values. Continuous is variable type data or measured data. Attribute data, however, is when the characteristics being studied have only a few values

Which of the following is the best statement describing the difference between an external customer and an internal customer? A) Internal customers are within an organization, and external customers receive a product or service from the organization. B) External customers are the purchaser, and internal customers are merchants. C) Internal customers are suppliers, and external customers are employees. C) Both internal and external customers are within the organization.

Internal customers are within an organization, and external customers receive a product or service from the organization provides the definition for internal and external customers.

Suppose I have a process in Statistical Control. When I compare the natural process limits to the specification limits I find that there are 10% of the parts above the USL, but none below the LSL. What is the first step I should take to improve the % defective? Retarget the process. Nothing. We're screening the defectives out and reworking them later Talk to engineering about changing the specifications. Reduce the process variability.

Usually changing the process center is an easy adjustment. Try this first.

A basic quality control tool that is used to collect data on the frequency or patterns of events, problems, or defects from observation is called a: Checklist Histogram Cause and Effect diagrams Check sheet

Check sheet----Check sheets are a tool to tally data from observations. While checklists are considered a type of check sheet. Checklists are not uses to collect frequency data, but instead are used to help ensure steps are completed in a process.

Which distribution listed below is formed by the distribution of sample variances: Exponential F Student t Chi-Square

Chi-Square is formed by the distribution of sample variances. Student t is used for hypothesis testing of means for small data sets. F distributions are the distribution created by the ratio of sampling variances from a normal distribution Exponential distributions are highly skewed right used for reliability.

Assume two events A={1,2} and B={3,4,5} in rolling a fair dice with six possible outcomes S={1,2,3,4,5,6}. Select the best option. Events A and B are mutually exclusive and dependent Events A and B are independent. Events A and B are exclusive but not dependent. Events A and B are dependent but not exclusive.

...Events A and B are mutually exclusive and dependent

A revision in the budget is required due to development. Since the original budget approval. What does the Six Sigma Manager need to do first? Conduct Budget Review Conduct Management Review Create Budget Report Create Status Report

A budget review involves revising budgets, either upward or downward, based on developments since the original budget approval. A management review provides management with the status of the project, an opportunity to review the project charter and project team mission, and a chance to discuss management activities likely to have an impact on the progress of the team, etc. A budget report is only used in monitoring actual expenditures versus budgeted expenditures.

A total of 4000 closures were manufactured on machine #7. 200 closures had one defect each. A total of 3800 closures were packed. What are the defects per unit (DPU) and throughput yield? A) 1.05 DPU and 95% throughput yield B) 1 DPU and 99% throughput yield C) 0.05 DPU and 95% throughput yield D) 0.0526 DPU and 94.7% throughput yield

DPU is determined by 200/4000 = 0.05 and throughput yield is determined by 1.00 - 0.05 = .95 x 100 = 95% Defects per unit (DPU) is determined by total number of defects divided by the total number of products produced in some time period. Throughput yield is determined by 1- % of closure defects * 100.

Which of the following statistical expressions represents a method to summarize information about a data set? Descriptive statistics Regression analysis Scatter diagram Confidence interval

Descriptive statistics is a method to summarize data in a way that will facilitate understanding. Regression analysis is a statistical technique for estimating the parameters of an equation relating a particular variable to a set of variables. Scatter diagrams are used to chart relationships between two variables. A confidence interval provides a set of limits within which a population parameter lies.

A Green Belt is preparing a SIPOC for the purchasing process in a construction company. She interviews the Purchasing Manager, who is concerned that she does not receive accurate and complete purchasing information. This prevents her from processing purchase orders in a timely manner. Which of the following is correct regarding the purchasing information? The purchasing information is an input to the purchasing process. The purchasing information is outside the scope of SIPOC for this process. The purchasing information is owned by the Purchasing Manager. The purchasing information is an output of the purchasing process.

Purchasing information is a key input to the purchasing process and will appear on the SIPOC chart.

Hardness of a rubber product doesn't follow the Normal distribution, but the mean and standard deviation of sample of 36 are 70 and 6 Shore A (the hardness scale). What is the 95% confidence interval for population mean? (Z0.025=1.96, Z0.05=1.645) A) 68.355 < µ < 71.345 B) The population standard deviation is not known so we cannot calculate the confidence interval. C) 68.04 < µ < 71.96 D) The distribution is not Normal so we cannot calculate the confidence interval.

68.04 < µ < 71.96 Mean is between +1.96 ( 6/ square root 36) = (1.96) (6/6) = 70 + 1.96= 71.96 and - 1.96 ( 6/ square root 36) = (-1.96) (6/6) =[ 70 - 1.96]= 68.04

During the production of yogurt, line operators collect samples from the milk and test its pH before immediately submitting the results to the quality control laboratory. Laboratory technicians then test the pH, protein content, and viscosity of the milk. Which of the following describes the second pH test performed by the laboratory? A)Non-value added B) process performance indicator C) Product release test D) Quality assurance

A= CORRECT! Since the second pH test is immediately performed after the first one, it is an extra inspection step that is not adding any value to the process. Laboratory tests are considered quality control activities, not assurance activities. Product release test is an in-process test (finished product is the yogurt), not a release test.

Which of the following statements best describes why companies find implementing lean to be valuable? A) Lean creates value for the organization by systematically identifying and eliminating waste. B) Lean prevents errors or mistakes from producing waste in the production cycle. C)Lean ensures that processes operate so that products or services meet or exceed customer requirements. D) Lean translates customer requirements into technical specifications to assure outstanding products or services are produced.

A= Correct = Creating value for the organization by systematically identifying and eliminating waste is the value that lean provides. Preventing errors or mistakes from producing waste in the production cycle is the value of error-proofing or poka yoke, one of the lean tools. Translating customer requirements into technical specifications to assure outstanding products or services are produced is the value of quality function deployment. Ensuring that processes operate so that products or services meet or exceed customer requirements is the value of control plans.

An automobile manufacturer wants to collect field intelligence to address and improve customer satisfaction, customer retention, and customer loyalty. It has 3,000 dealers nationwide. Which of the following will provide the most information at optimum cost? Develop a statistical sample size and collect the field intelligence from dealers that are well-distributed geographically. Request field intelligence information from all the dealers spread throughout the country. Create detailed survey forms and send it to customers who have purchased their cars in the last year. Use the data from publications like consumer reports and develop strategy to attract and retain customers.

ANSWER=Developing a statistical sample size and collecting the field intelligence from dealers that are well-distributed geographically will provide prompt feedback at a much lower cost and will facilitate making the right decision. Requesting field intelligence from 3,000 dealers will be cost prohibitive and the quality of the data might be poor. Sending a detailed survey to recent consumers will not represent the customers who have purchased cars more than a year ago.

What are the two optional stages in a project-driven team? asq/learn_check.gif Adjourning and recognition Forming and storming Storming and norming Performing and adjourning

Adjourning and recognition are additional stages in a project-driven team since project teams have a beginning and an end.

An insurance company is attempting to address minor issues with its claims payment process. If it chooses to use the PDSA cycle popularized by Deming, what would be the correct order of steps to take? A) Implement the desired changes with a pilot program. B) Measure the performance of the modified process. C) Identify what changes to the claims process should be made. D) Integrate successful results into the existing claims process.

Answer= 3, 1, 2, 4 Identify, Implement, Measure and Integrate are the correct order of steps in the PDSA improvement cycle.

Which of the following statements describes a reason why companies find Six Sigma valuable? A. Six Sigma provides a customized improvement methodology that can be applied anywhere throughout the business. B. Six Sigma fundamentally changes how a company improves. C. Six Sigma makes no overall changes to the quality of the company's products and services. D. Six Sigma is a long-term approach to improvement that does not fundamentally change the way a company measures success.

Answer= D= long-term approach to improvement that does not fundamentally change the way a company measures success. Six Sigma focuses on achieving financial targets or reducing costs within 12 months, which is not necessarily a change in how a company improves the quality of its products or services. Additionally, simply changing an approach with no regard for results is not part of the Six Sigma value proposition. Six Sigma is a standard (not customized) improvement methodology that can be applied to many businesses and throughout an individual business. Six Sigma projects almost always target quality improvement.

Data that consists of classifications rather than measurements is referred to as: Variable Continuous Interval Attribute

Attributes are classifications, such as good/bad, big/small, white/black, etc. Interval is a measurement scale involving the difference between any two successive points is equal (i.e., temperature).

Which of the following tools is useful in providing link between process inputs and outputs? FMEA chart SIPOC Pareto chart Hypothesis testing

B= CORRECT =SIPOCs represent relationships among inputs, outputs, suppliers, and customers FMEA is for risk assessment and prevention Pareto charts useful for identifying the vital few from the trivial many

Twenty-one randomly selected managers in the healthcare industry were sampled with regard to their average bonus. A 95% confidence interval was calculated to be ($1,131,356, $4,824,123). Which of the following interpretations is correct? 95% of the sampled bonus values fell between $1,131,356 and $4,824,123. There is a 95% confident that the sample mean of managers' bonuses falls in the interval $1,131,356 and $4,824,123. Within the population of Managers in the healthcare industry, 95% of managers will have a bonus that fall in the interval $1,131,356 and $4,824,123. If we calculate the confidence interval 100 times (one of them is $1,131,356 and $4,824,123), almost 95 of them contain the population average for Managers' bonuses.

Based on sample evidence, we are 95% confident that the true, but unknown, population average for Managers' bonuses in the healthcare industry is between $1,131,356 and $4,824,123.This is an accurate interpretation of a confidence interval.

The design failure mode and effects analysis should be completed before which of the following? A) Severity changes B) Performance testing C) Production drawings are released for tooling D) Prototype testing

C= CORRECT ! Production drawings are released for tooling after the design failure mode and effects analysis is complete. Prototype testing will validate FMEA and may identify additional failure modes. Severity changes can be affected only through design changes. The product of severity, occurrence, and detection is the risk priority number. Failure modes should be identified before performance is tested for the customer.

Business process management is based on the premise of which of the following? A) Each process in an organization should be optimized to its own highest level of performance to achieve company goals. B) Process ownership is delegated to those actually doing the work in a process. C) Achieving organizational goals is often driven by the coordination of a complex system of cross-functional processes. D) Managing the quality of tangible process outputs is more important than managing the quality of service delivery.

C= Correct! Achieving organizational goals is often driven by the coordination of a complex system of cross-functional processes is the correct answer, suggesting that monitoring of inputs, outputs, and process feedback are necessary to achieve organizational goals. Optimizing a process to its highest level of performance without regard for impact on other processes can sub optimize the organization as a whole. While staff doing the work have responsibilities for quality, process ownership typically resides at the executive or management level. Managing the quality of process outputs and related service delivery will vary in importance depending upon customer requirements and organizational goals.

What is the biggest benefit of competitive benchmarking? A) It is a quick, one-time improvement activity. B) It focuses on the weakest link of a process C) It monitors large amounts of information for problems and trends. D) It provides opportunities for improvement breakthroughs

Competitive benchmarking helps establish ambitious goals that are realistic (after all, someone else is already achieving them) and gives you are starting point for developing and implementing changes rather than starting from scratch. Monitoring large amounts of information for problems and trends is a performance index

In forming a team how many unique teams of 3 people from a department of 5 could be selected containing a leader, a facilitator and a member? 10 60 6 20

Correct Answer= 20 Permutation of 5 ______________ Permutation of 3 5*4*3* 2*1 120 _______ = ____ = 20 3* 2* 1 6

The average weight and the variance of 100 packaged products is 41 and 4 kg. The distribution of weights is unknown. What is the Hypothesis statistic for testing H0 : µ = 40 vs. H1 : µ ≠ 40 ? A) It is not possible because the significant level is not known. B) Z=5 C) Z=2.5 D) Since the distribution is unknown, we can't calculate the statistic.

Correct! Z= 5 Z= (41- 40) ____________________ [ (SQUARE ROOT 4)/ (SQUARE ROOT 100) Z= 1 ______= (10/ 2) = 5 0.2

f the 6σ spread for a process is equal to six and the process average is equal to sixteen, what should the lower specification limit be set at to ensure less than .135% of the process output is rejected? 13 12 15 30

Cpk must be greater than 1 to get the desired percent defects rate. sing the formula ZL = (process average minus Lower Spec Limit) divided by σ. LSL=process average-σZLUsing the normal distribution table Prob(z At 13 ZL is (16-13)/1=3. Using the standard normal table, this puts the probability of defects just at .135%. It needs to be lower than that.

Which of the following is most important when developing a series of measurements for an organization? A) Identify measurements common to other organizations for benchmarking purposes. B)Establish process capability Cpk for core processes first. C) Measure all processes across the organization to surface potential issues. D) Align measurement priorities with goals and available resources.

D=Correct! Measurements should support organizational goals and be implemented within the constraints of available resources. While an organization with sufficient resources might be able or desire to attain this level of measurement, it would still need to make sense within the context of goals and resource availability. Additionally, measurement should only be undertaken when there is a reason to measure. Close Core processes should be measured, but Cpk is only useful when the process is known to be in statistical control with a normal distribution.

Which of the following is a component of an attribute (data) sampling plan? Unit is inspected by its proximity to specifications Inspection method is more sophisticated Items are classified as Percent Defective Smaller sample size can be utilized

Defective or not defective is an example of attribute data, not variable data. The utilization of a smaller sample size is a component of variable sampling plan. Each unit can be weighted by its proximity to specifications in a variable sampling , whereas for attribute data all defectives are equal. Inspection method is a component of variable sampling plan because each item has a measurement, as opposed to attribute data where go/no-go gages are employed.

In an effort to streamline their processes, the manager of a dry cleaning chain has developed a SIPOC diagram. Which of the following components would be considered an input to the dry cleaning process? A) Detergent and cleaning instructions B) The washing of the clothes C) The detergent vendor D) Clean clothes and invoices

Detergent and cleaning instructions are considered inputs to the dry cleaning process.

If events A and B are mutually exclusive, then how does this impact the occurrence of A and B? At least one of them will occur. P(A - B) = P(B) P(A ∩ B) = P(A)P(B) A and B cannot occur simultaneously.

In mutually exclusive relationships, A and B cannot occur at the same time. It means: P(A ∩ B) = 0

A portion of units obtained from the same location in all containers, racks, bins, or dunnage illustrates which of the following? Stratified sampling Sampling bias Consumer's risk Producer's risk

In sampling bias, procedures set up for sampling can deteriorate into biases. In this example, the sample is not random, which results in bias. Consumer's risk is the probability that a "bad" lot will be accepted by the sampling plan. Producer's risk is the probability that a good lot is rejected by the sampling plan. Stratified sampling is sampling that is deliberately stratified to obtain sample proportions from each true lot. In this example, you are looking for the term that illustrates what would happen without rigorous procedures for stratified sampling.

Which of the following is a reason that market share is a key concern of management? A) Increasing market share brings significant additional risk to delivery of existing products and services. B) Increasing market share may bring economies of scale as fixed costs do not increase in proportion to variable costs. C) Decreasing market share improves the ratio of fixed costs to variable costs. D) Market share is a reliable indicator of a product or service's capability to address management's needs.

Increasing market share may bring economies of scale as fixed costs do not increase in proportion to variable costs, is the correct answer. Market share indicates the capability of a company's products/services/prices to address the needs of the customer. Increasing market share brings additional risk, but it is considered modest as the means of delivery and deployment have been tested and found effective. Decreasing market share worsens the ratio of fixed costs to variable costs, the opposite of gaining economies of scale.

The development of a formal communication plan is mainly justified in which situation? Every time a team is initiated When the team has strong internal conflicts Large projects or teams with geographical barriers Before selecting the project

Large projects or teams with geographical barriers are the situations that require a formal communication plan because of their inherent complexity.

Given that a process' natural variation is ±3σ and the process is centered within the specification limits, what would be the defects, in parts per million, if the specification limits were set at ±4σ? 32ppm 1350ppm 64ppm 135ppm

Look up the answer using a z table. We need to find the percent above and below 4 standard deviations. The z table number for 4.0 is 0.000032. Multiply this number by 2 because there are 2 tails. This gives .000064. Change to ppm by multiplying by 1,000,000. = 64ppm

Given a process in statistical control with = 20 and =3 calculate Cpk if the specifications are 19±6. The subgroup size is 3. 5.00 0.9416 0.19 1.32

Note first that the average is over the target so we will calculate Cpk using the USL. For a subgroup size of 3, d2=1.693. Sigma = (R-bar ) / (d2) = 3 / 1.693 = 1.77 Cpk= [USL -(X-bar)] / (3 * Sigma) = (25-20) / ( 3 * 1.77) = 0.9416

The reliability of each independent component during a certain time is .99. What is the reliability of the following system? 0.99[1 - 01.02] 0.99[2(0.99) - 0.992] 0.99[2(0.99)] 0.99[0.992]

P(A1).P(Parallel) ; P(Parallel)=P(A2)+P(A3)-P(A2 & A3)= 2P(A)-P(A)^2

Process A = C/T: 1 minute Process B =C/T : 4 minutes Which process generates excess inventory?

Process A is pushing more inventory to process B. Process B has more cycle time to complete. The output generated by process A is excess inventory. Process B has more cycle time to process the inventory than process A. It is not generating excess inventory.

Image displayed next to each question A Six Sigma Manager is conducting a closure meeting with the project sponsors to ensure agreement that the project is completed. Which of the following would the Manager likely create an output of the project closure? Project metrics Gantt chart Project archives Project charter

Project archives= answer= Project specific documents need to be archived at the end of the project and need to be accessible for relevant stakeholders.

Which of the following statements best explains how Six Sigma projects are related to organizational goals? A) Organizational goals determine the Six Sigma projects that should be executed for all processes of the organization. B) Project selection criteria should be aligned with the mission of the organization and its related quality, service, and cost goals. C) Project goals are determined by the process being measured and will necessarily optimize the organization for achieving its goals. D) Six Sigma projects identify process output measures that are used to establish broader goals for the organization

Project selection criteria aligned with the mission of the organization and its related quality, service, and cost goals is the correct answer. Organizational goals should be used to identify valuable Six Sigma projects to be launched for key processes that support the goals. Organizational goals should be used to identify valuable Six Sigma projects to be launched for key processes that support the goals. Setting goals based simply on the process in question can sub optimize the organization. Six Sigma projects being identified as process output measures that are used to establish broader goals for the organization is a backward response. Without consideration of organizational goals, a Six Sigma project may pick goals that are inappropriate or that have adverse impact on the organization.

Which of the following tools is used to identify a process? A) SIPOC B)DMAIC C) SPC D) QFD

SIPOC is a tool used to identify a process and all associated elements. SIPOC is an acronym for suppliers, input, process, output, customer DMAIC is a strategy used to improve a process. It is not used to identify the process. SPC, also referred to as Statistical process control is used to control quality through the application of statistical techniques. It is not used to identify a process. QFD also known as Quality Function Deployment is a process in itself. It is used to deploy customer requirements into the product development and production phase

Which of the following is true about short-term process capability? It is generally calculated under controlled conditions with a small number of subgroups (20-30). It is represented by Pp and Ppk. It is usually about the same as long-term process capability Cp and Cpk are usually smaller than Pp and Ppk

Short-term process capability is usually just a starting point to understand the process. Further exploration is needed to understand sources of variation and drift over time/operating conditions. Actually Cp and Cpk are usually larger than Pp and Ppk due to variations in the process over time and under less controlled conditions. Actually Cp and Cpk are usually larger than Pp and Ppk due to variations in the process over time and under less controlled conditions.

Which of the following best describes the Six Sigma philosophy? A) Daily activity sustaining continuous improvement in which people do rapid experiments to learn how to eliminate waste in business processes. B) Regularly scheduled rapid improvement events in which the right people come together to find ways to eliminate waste in business processes and implement their solutions very quickly. C) Teams working on short- to medium-term projects, using a standardized methodology to solve problems that directly impact the bottom line, exposing the "hidden factories," and using statistical methods to drive their decisions. D) A structured management approach for the entire organization, centered on quality, based on the participation of everyone, and aimed at long-term success through customer satisfaction.

Six Sigma emphasizes solving problems using statistical methods to drive the solutions using the DMAIC process. Correct = D) A structured management approach for the entire organization, centered on quality, based on the participation of everyone, and aimed at long-term success through customer satisfaction. Kaizen philosophy= Daily activity sustaining continuous improvement in which people do rapid experiments to learn how to eliminate waste in business process LEAN= Regularly scheduled rapid improvement events in which the right people come together to find ways to eliminate waste in business processes and implement their solutions very quickly is the philosophy behind lean.

Recent sales reports for an online store show steep decline in sales figures. The store sells three main categories of products: smart phones, computers and printers. The store customers are concentrated in four regions: North, South, East and West. The store performs online surveys for its customers, the data is lumped together and no reasons for decline in sales can be seen. Which of the following tools can help this store in finding patterns in the collected feedback data? A) Kano Analysis B) Quality Function Deployment C) Stratification D) Kaizen

Stratification is a technique used in combination with other data analysis tools. When data from a variety of sources or categories have been lumped together, the meaning of the data can be impossible to see. The Kano model is useful in gaining a thorough understanding of a customer's needs. QFD is for determining customer preferences and not analyzing data. Kaizen is a process improvement tool not data analysis methodology.

The x-bar control charts makes use of what statistical concept? Specification limits Response Surface Methodology Box-Cox Transformation The Central Limit Theorem

The Central Limit Theorem is the concept that states that the average values of samples drawn from any statistical universe, regardless of the shape of the distribution of the population of that universe, will tend toward a normal distribution as the sample size grows. Specification limits, USL and LSL, are defined based on customer requirements analysis. Box-Cox Transformation is a technique used to normalize data by accomplishing a mathematical "transformation" of each data point, and is not the driving force behind the x-bar chart methodology. Response Surface Methodology is an experimental design methodology that allows experimenters to study curvature in experimental factors, and is not the driving force behind the x-bar chart methodology.

In a team environment, who is primarily responsible for identifying and resolving negative behavior? Note-taker Manager Leader Champion

The Leader is responsible for creating favorable conditions that will enable a team to reach its purpose In a Six Sigma team, the team leader must assume all roles that a facilitator would perform.

An organization is organized by function. An improvement team has concluded that the process they are working on involves several of these functions. Who would be the best person to address this situation? Team Leader Team Member Team Sponsor Team Facilitator

The Team Sponsor person must be senior enough to get the commitment of different functions. The Team Facilitator's responsibility is to facilitate a team once it has been formed, not to work through the politics of getting the right people on the team. The team leader is usually not at a high enough level to persuade various functions to participate.

A detailed process map is normally initiated during which stage of DMAIC to define the current process? Analyze asq/learn_check.gif Measure Improve Control

The details of the process are needed in the measure phase. This is where the detailed process map is initiated.

ABC Company is receiving many customer complaints due to external defects reported in delivered software. External defect density is 2.2 defects/project total size. Most of the external defects reported are from ERP enhancement projects. Which of the following best describes the problem statement? Reduce customer complaints in general. Build a testing team in EPR enhancement projects to work on testing before delivery to reduce external defect density of 2.2 defects/project total size. Clients are dissatisfied with software quality. Our metrics baseline shows mean external defect density of 2.2 defects/project total size with 80% of defects from ERP enhancement projects. Clients are dissatisfied with software quality. Our metrics baseline shows mean external defect density of 2.2 defects/project total size with 80% of defects from ERP enhancement projects. Code Review needs to be automated.

The problem statement is a summation of what requires improvement and it focuses on the symptoms.

The Percent of Study Variation (%SV) for Total Gage R&R leads to which of the following conclusions for this measurement system? Unacceptable Acceptable for most applications No conclusion should be drawn from % of Study Variation Acceptable in some cases depending on the application

The results of a gage study are shown in the table below. Unacceptable data!! % of Study variation is 31.93%. If it is greater than 30%, the measurement system is unacceptable and should be improved Acceptable for most applications applies when the % of study variation is less than 10%, which is acceptable. Graph given: Source StdDev (SD) The results of a gage study are shown in the table below. Source StdDev (SD) -->Study Var---->(6 × SD) ---->%Study Var ----> (%SV) ---->%Tolerance (SV/Toler) Total Gage R&R --> 0.35559 -->2.13354 31.93--> 10.67 Repeatability: 0.27648-->1.65888--> 24.83-->8.29 Reproducibility: 0.22362--> 1.34169 20.08-->6.71 Operator =0.22362--> 1.34169--> 20.08--> 6.71 Part-To-Part = 1.05525 --->6.33151 94.76 --> 31.66 Total Variation 1.11355 6.68132 100.00 33.41

Which of the following statements is true in describing the house of quality structure? A) The left side of the house has the customer needs B) The right side of the house has design features and technical requirements C) The foundation contains customer priorities D) The roof of the house contains the VOC

The right side of the house contains customer priorities, the foundation contains target values and the roof contains a matrix that describes relationships. The roof contains a matrix that describes relationships. The foundation contains target values.

Standardized national test scores for the schools in the Northwest district show mixed performance for students coming from various schools in the district. As a response to this, many of the schools in Northwest started a forum where they discuss the strengths and weaknesses of their educational methodologies, and share best practices. Which of the following describes the approach taken by these schools? A) Standardization B) Focus groups C) Brainstorming D) Collaborative benchmarking

This is a good description of collaborative benchmarking.

What is the % of Tolerance variation (SV/Toler) associated with a difference between measurements when one person repeatedly measures the same item? See graph in the answers 6.71 10.67 8.29 31.66

Total Gage R&R: SD-0.35559 ; [(6 X SD) =2.13354] [SV= 31.93] [SV/ %Tolerance= 10.67] Repeatability -- SD=0.27648; 6SD=1.65888 ;SV =24.83 SV/ %Tolerance=8.29 Reproducibility SD=0.22362; 6SD=1.34169; SV=20.08 SV/ % Tolerance= 6.71 Part-To-Part SD=1.05525; SD/ 6= 6.33151; SV= 94.76 SV / % Tolerance= 31.66 Total Variation SD= 1.11355;SD/6= 6.68132; SV=100.00 SV/ % Tolerance=33.41 Repeatability measures the variability of the instrument when one person repeatedly measures the same item, and is the correct source of variation to use for the SV/Toler column 10.67 is associated with Total Gage R&R, not Repeatability. 6.71 is associated with Reproducibility variation, not Repeatability. 6.71 is associated with Reproducibility variation, not Repeatability.

tem A has a RPN of 120 with severity of 10, occurrence of 4, and detection of 3. Item B has a RPN of 120 with severity of 5, occurrence of 4, and detection of 6. Both items have the same ranking values and have the highest RPN. Which item will you address first? A) Item A because of high severity. B) Item B because of high detection C) Does not matter which one you pick. D) Ignore both because of same occurrence.

When two risks have the same overall score, the risk with the higher severity rating is escalated. Item B has high detection but is not severe and has lower business impact than A.

You are a full-time Scrum Master on an agile project team. A team member becomes sick in the middle of a sprint in which release delivery was planned. Which action is most appropriate in this situation? Ask other team members to work extra hours Deliver what you can within the sprint Start development yourself for the remaining work of the sick team member Ask sick team member to work from home

he right approach is to deliver what you can within the sprint and discuss the same with customer Asking other team members to work extra hours AND THE REMAINING CHOICES is a counterproductive action in the long term and it will go against the agile principle of maintaining a sustainable pace

Assume two events A={1,2} and B={3,4,5} in rolling a fair dice with six possible outcomes S={1,2,3,4,5,6}. Select the best option. Events A and B are mutually exclusive and dependent Events A and B are independent. Events A and B are exclusive but not dependent. Events A and B are dependent but not exclusive.

p(A ∩ B) = 0 So they are mutually exclusive p(A ∩ B) ≠ P(A).P(B) therefore they are dependent.

What kind of plot takes the data points of 12, 13, 18, 18, 22, 22, 27, 29, 31, and 35 to show: 1: 2388 2: 2279 3: 15 Box-and-whisker Stem-and-leaf Weibull Histogram

Stem-and-leaf plot is text-based analysis with the last significant digit of each value becoming the stem and other digits the leaf. The box-and-whisker is a graphical plot showing the population.

A six sigma team has considered "current cost of poor quality" in a Six Sigma project charter. Which of the following common components of the project charter is most relevant? A) Problem statement B) Scope C) Objectives D) The Business Case

The Business Case component focus is on the financial impact and importance of the project. The current cost of poor quality explains the same. The problem statement component focus is on what's wrong with process. Current cost of poor quality is a measurement and doesn't indicate what's wrong with process.

A Six Sigma Manager assesses and evaluates the outcomes of the project, such as cycle time reduction. Which of the following methodologies should the manager select? Post-project audit Customer audit Post-project outcome assessment Budget review

A post-project outcome assessment is used at some predetermined point to assess and evaluate the quantitative and qualitative outcomes of the project. Post-project audit is a project cash/capital budgeting process.

Which distribution describes the probability of r occurrences in n trials of an event? Weibull Binomial Exponential Normal

Binomial is the distribution where the probability of r occurrences in n trials of an event. The Weibull distribution displays a wide variety of characteristics. In an exponential distribution it is likely that more observations will occur below the average than above. In a normal distribution the concentration of observations are centered about the average and it is equally likely that the observations will occur above or below the average

In which stage of team maturity do team members have a clear focus on the purpose of the team, and a sense of satisfaction from the team's achievements? Performing Norming Forming Storming

In the Performing stage results motivate the team and it is focused. While the team begins to focus in the Norming stage, it has no substantial result yet.

The distribution plot of fatigue life using median ranks represents which of the following? Poisson distribution Weibull distribution Normal distribution Exponential distribution

Weibull distributions can be used for many distribution shapes, and are frequently used for median ranking. Normal distribution plots involve a bell Shape using the actual data or averages. Exponential distribution includes average time between failures, but not median ranks. A Poisson distribution is a discrete distribution for the probability of occurrence p on each trial. It does not involve median ranks. Close

Sometimes quality improvements cause reductions in workforce. Select the most appropriate way for this situation to be communicated to employees: A) Bilateral communication B) Bottom Up communication C) Top Down communication D) Horizontal communication

op Down communication is the correct answer since communication of this type needs to come from the top of the company. Horizontal communication is used in flat organizations to communicate across the organization.

Which of the following team situations requires facilitator intervention? Recording critical data from meetings Staffing the team Watch the use of allocated time Discussion develops into multiple conversations

Facilitator intervention is the function of a facilitator who must intervene if a discussion develops into multiple conversations Watching the use of allocated time is the function of a timekeeper. Staffing the team is the team leader function Recording critical data from meetings is the function of a scribe or note taker.

An experiment measures the temperature of a chemical reaction in degrees Fahrenheit. The results in this experiment are example of what type of measurement scale? asq/learn_check.gif Interval Nominal Ordinal Ratio

Interval data have the property that the "intervals" between the numbers are meaningful and can be compared. This is the case with the Fahrenheit scale for temperature.

Which of the following is a benefit of project risk analysis? More efforts Fewer project deliverables Greater probability of project success Project completion time delayed

Mitigated risk increases the chances of project success.

Which of the activities in this process flow diagram that must be non-value added?

Activities D and E are part of a rework loop. Activity D is an inspection activity and activity E must be a re-work activity for products to pass activity D. If activities A, B, and C are performed correctly, activities D and E don't add any value.

Which of the following financial metrics provides the best measure of the long-term success of an organization's Six Sigma program? Cost of Poor Quality Market Share Cost Benefit Analysis Net Present Value of Project Outcomes

Cost reductions related to reductions in internal failures, external failures, appraisal cost, prevention cost and the cost of non-value added activities are a direct, and the best measure of improved performance related to Six Sigma projects.

A continuous improvement team has come together to brainstorm ideas for a new product line. Which of the following techniques will likely reduce the effectiveness of the brainstorming session? Discussing ideas as they are presented Avoiding judgment on ideas Recording all ideas Letting people be freewheeling

Discussion can hinder the free flow of ideas. Discussion should come after many thoughts are generated.

The most useful "measure of central tendency" for nominal measurement scale data is: Geometric mean Median Mean Mode

Mode Mode is the "measure of central tendency" for nominal scale. An example of a nominal scale is marital status: single, married, divorced.

A gage study is conducted over two working days, and there will be a total of 48 weight measurements gathered for the study on one calibrated scale. There are two different settings options for the scale display (kg or lbs). Two employees will evaluate six different products in random order. How many measurements will each employee take on each product? 2 8 1 4

Number of days and scale settings are not relevant to the number of measurements, so the actual number of measurements per product = 48 / 2 employees / 6 products = 4 measurements per product

A total of 5,000 pins were manufactured on the machine. 200 pins had a total of 600 defects. 4,800 pins were packed at the end of the line. What are the defects per unit (DPU) and throughput yield for this process? 1.2 DPU and 88% throughput yield 0.12 DPU and 89% throughput yield 0.04 DPU and 96% throughput yield 1 DPU and 96% throughput yield

600/5000 = 0.12 DPU e-0.12= 89% throughput yield.= CORRECT ANSWER Defects per unit (DPU) is determined by total number of defects divided by the total number of products produced in some time period. Throughput yield is determined by 1- % of closure defects * 100.

Image displayed next to each question Critical equipment breakdown is identified as a risk in the project at the start of the project and risk probability is 4, risk severity is 2, risk cost is $12. Which of the following risk priority number is correct? 8 3 6 96

8= The risk priority number = equal to the Risk probability multiplied by Risk severity. Incorrect calculation (Risk probability multiplied by Risk severity multiplied by Risk cost)= 96 Incorrect calculation (Risk cost / (Risk probability + Risk severity)= 6 Incorrect calculation (Risk probability + Risk severity)/2= 3

Six Sigma Manager is scheduling and tracking the progress of critical project tasks within a project. Which of the following is most likely to be the best tool he can use? Critical Path Method Project charter Gantt chart PERT chart

A Gantt chart is a bar chart that shows the tasks of a project - when each must take place and how long each will take. As the project progresses, bars are shaded to show which tasks have been completed? It is useful to indicate the critical path on the chart with bold or colored outlines of the bars for the steps on the critical path. CPM is not used for ongoing progress tracking. CPM is used to identify which activities drive end-to-end project completion time and which do not (are or are not on the critical path for the project). project charter has a timeline, but is too high-level to track specific progress of deliverables.

When trying to decide what's in or out of cope for a project, the most likely tool the Green Belt would use is: Raci Chart SIPOC Fishbone Diagram Box Plot

ANSWER= A SIPOC chart (suppliers - inputs - process - outputs - customers) allows the GB to create a high level view of the process of interest and identify boundaries activities, stakeholders and other elements. A Raci Chart, while typically used in the define phase, is used to analyze stakeholders and their requirements for communication (not project scope) A box plot is more likely to be used in later phases, such as Measure and Analyze, to analyze data.

Which of the following is a key difference between an interrelationship digraph and an affinity diagram? A) The interrelationship diagraph uses a flowchart for relationships while the affinity diagram uses a matrix for relationships. B) The interrelationship digraph uses open ended questions while the affinity diagram starts with closed end questions. C) Interrelationship diagraphs should be used with seven or more concerns while the affinity diagram should be used with fewer than seven concerns. D) The affinity diagram arranges ideas into groups, while the interrelationship digraph intends to specify the ways the ideas influence one another.

Affinity diagrams organize ideas into their natural relationships. Interrelation diagrams organize by cause-and-effect relationships.

The ANOVA method for analyzing a gage study is preferred over the Average and Range method because it: makes calculations easier to perform by hand is more likely to identify inconsistent measurements within the study includes interactions between operators and items being measured uses constant values from lookup tables to estimate variation

ANOVA method can calculate interactions between operators and samples, and the Average and Range method cannot. Average and Range method uses a Range chart to identify inconsistent measurements in the study, whereas the ANOVA method does not generate a Range chart by default. Average and Range method is easier to calculate by hand. The ANOVA method is typically done with computer software.

A survey asks for a rating of service from poor, fair, good, very good, or excellent. This is an example of what type of measurement scale? Ordinal Ratio Interval Nominal

Ordinal data are when a numeric or non-numeric and have order. Ordinal data is most useful in rankings and ratings.

Comparison of the natural process range to the tolerance range tells you: If the process is centered on target. That the process needs no adjustment. asq/learn_check.gif If the process is capable of meeting the specification If the process actually meets the specification.

If the natural process range is narrower than the tolerance range, then the process is capable of meeting specification, albeit it might need re-targeting. Comparison of two ranges doesn't tell you how well the process is doing, just how well it could do if centered appropriately.

The distribution where the concentration of observations is centered about the average and it is equally likely that the observations will occur above or below the average is called: Poisson Normal Binomial Exponential

In a normal distribution the concentration of observations are about the average and it is equally likely that the observations will occur above or below the average.

portion of units obtained from the same location in all containers, racks, bins, or dunnage illustrates which of the following? Producer's risk Sampling bias Consumer's risk Stratified sampling

In sampling bias, procedures set up for sampling can deteriorate into biases. In this example, the sample is not random, which results in bias. Stratified sampling is sampling that is deliberately stratified to obtain sample proportions from each true lot. In this example, you are looking for the term that illustrates what would happen without rigorous procedures for stratified sampling. Consumer's risk is the probability that a "bad" lot will be accepted by the sampling plan. Producer's risk is the probability that a good lot is rejected by the sampling plan.

A newspaper reported that the revenue trends for the past five years were up 5%, down 1%, up 7%, up 3%, and 0%. Which of the following measurement scales would be most appropriate to analyze this trend? Categorical Ratio Nominal Ordinal

Ratio data have the property of an absolute zero and the proportions of two numbers can be compared. Thus, the comparing the proportion change of revenue requires ratio data. Categorical is the same as Nominal data which are for numeric or non-numeric identifiers used to label items Ordinal data are numeric or non-numeric but the items are not always uniform and the numbers are not meaningful.

If a particular situation in a company requires the removal of organizational roadblocks and making sure that the team has proper resources, which Six Sigma role is most likely to act? A) Champion B) Process owner C) Change agent D) Black Belt

The main responsibilities of a Champion are to remove roadblocks and ensure the team has needs resources. Process owners can make changes only within their processes. Change agent is another designation for the Black Belt does not include authority to remove roadblocks.

Which method of analyzing detailed flow chart is suitable for identifying physical inefficiencies? Value stream map SIPOC Deployment chart Work -flow diagram

We can identify physical inefficiencies by converting a flow chart to a work-flow diagram Deployment flow chart show who performs which step. SIPOC focuses on input, process and output. Value stream mapping is used for analyzing waste and value-added processes.

A process adds value in the value chain if it satisfies which of the following? A) It is done right the first time, the customer is willing to pay for it, and it changes the thing in the process. B) It is done right the first time, the customer is willing to pay for it, and it does not change the thing passing through the process. C) It is done right the first time, the customer does not care, and it changes the thing in the process. D) It reduces error, the customer is willing to pay for it, and it changes the thing in the process.

A= CORRECT !--A process is value added if it meets all three criteria: 1. done right the first time (no rework), 2. the customer is willing to pay for it, and 3. the process changes the thing that passes through the process. A process that reduces error means it was not done right the first time and has errors that need rework, so it is not a value-added process. f the thing passing through the process is not changed then it is not required at all and is not a value-added process.

Which of the following statements best describes how Six Sigma and lean tools are applied? A) Six Sigma defines the project and quality levels and lean tools identify non-value added waste. B) Lean tools are only applicable in manufacturing or transactional situations, whereas Six Sigma tools can be used throughout. C) It is best to apply Six Sigma and lean separately with experts in each discipline working together on projects. D) Lean tools define the project and quality levels with Six Sigma identifying non-value added waste

Although lean tools can be used to define projects, they typically are more effectively used to measure process performance. High-level Six Sigma metrics define projects that then can use lean tools to measure process performance. Close

Which of the following is the best tool for discovering relationships between two sets of elements? Process Decision Program Chart (PDPC) Force field analysis Prioritization matrix Matrix diagram

Answer= Matrix Diagram= A matrix diagram is typically used to discover and illustrate relationships between two groups of items. A Process Decision Program Chart attempts to understand risk and drive contingency plans. Force field analysis compares impediments and aids to project success, but not the relationships between these 2 groups A prioritization matrix will rank order a list of ideas, but is not aimed at understanding relationships outside of this limited context.

The theory of constraints method starts with which of the following steps? A)Start by optimizing all processes in the process chain. B) Start by identifying the weakest process in the process chain. C) Start by adjusting the processes to match the weakest process. D) Start by improving all the slow processes.

B= CORRECT!! ----The first step in theory of constraints is to identify the constraining (weakest) process. Theory of constraints recognizes that optimizing the pieces of a system sub-optimizes the whole system. Theory of constraints can be repeated to improve the next weak process after the weakest process is improved. Theory of constraints recognizes that optimizing the pieces of a system sub-optimizes the whole system.

An agile project team decided to use the expert judgment project estimation technique based on three points estimate in an agile environment. Which factors should be considered? A) Planning Poker B) Regression Analysis C) Best Case, Worst Case and Most Likely Scenarios D) Lead time, throughout and Work In Process (WIP)

Best Case, Worst Case and Most Likely Scenarios are the 3 points that are used in the formula W + (4M) + 6 Regression Analysis calculates projected times for an activity based on historical records from previous projects. The result is an activity estimate based on measures like time per line of code. Planning Poker is an expert judgment project estimation technique based on estimation from team members and building consequences on estimation of user story.

Calculate the RPNs and prioritize them for taking actions. Given: Severity-Occurence-Detection A= 8-5-4 B= 6-2-7 C= 3-7-10 A) A-C-B B) C-A-B C) B-C-A D ) A-B-C

C-A-B is the correct sequence. RPN for C is 210, RPN for A is 160, and RPN for B is 84. Generally the item with the highest RPN is given higher priority for taking actions.

Which the following best represents the benefits of capturing the lessons learned before project closure? Quantify project savings Celebrate the project closure party Review the team's process and identify what worked best. Provide input for performance appraisal

C= Providing the team with the opportunity to review and document best practices is a benefit of a lessons learned review.

Which of the following represents the primary disadvantage of focusing exclusively on hard-dollar savings when assessing Six Sigma project benefits? asq/learn_x.gif Requires more effort to calculate hard-dollar benefits than other benefits Hard-dollar benefits are not considered to be tangible benefits Hard-dollar benefit reduction does little to reduce "hidden factory" costs Hard-dollar benefits are not a business priority

Hard dollar benefits are the easiest to qualify, because they are typically measured only at the end of the process and are usually stated in a company's financial books/statements. However, a 'hidden factory" includes all costs of waste and rework embedded within the process execution steps. They may be harder to identify and quantify in terms of hard dollar costs, and may require more sophisticated analysis to translate into savings that appear in a company's financial statements. It is typically more difficult to capture soft-dollar benefits (such as Cost of Poor Quality) than hard-dollar benefits, which tend to be visible within the budget.

Performing is the stage of the team evolution in which the team members do which of the following? A) Begin to understand the need to operate like a team rather than as a group of individuals B) Work together to reach their common goals C) Express their own opinions and ideas, often in disagreement with others D) Struggle to understand the goal and its meaning for them individually

In the performing stage team members work together to reach their common goal When team members express their own opinions and ideas, often in disagreement with others is the definition of the forming stage. Struggle to understand the goal and its meaning for them individually is the definition of the storming stage. The process of beginning to understand the need to operate like a team rather than as group of individuals is the definition of the norming stage. When team members express their own opinions and ideas, often in disagreement with others is the definition of the forming stage.

A project sponsor asked a Manager of an agile team to collect the lessons learned. Which of the following is the best statement that applies to this situation? The manager should collect the lessons learned throughout the project. The manager should collect the lessons learned only at the end of the project The manager should collect the lessons learned only when the project performance is not good The manager should collect the lessons learned when the projects go well

Lessons learned should be captured throughout the project when the details are fresh and team members can remember the most detail. Also this allows lessons learned early in the project to inform later phases.

An electronics company is working on the design of a new smart phone. The company collected feedback data from its customers on their requirements and expectations on the new phone. Which of the following tools can help the company in integrating customer feedback into the design features of the phone? Control charts Design of Experiments Quality Function Deployment Stratification

Quality Function Deployment (QFD) integrates customer requirements (voice of the customer, or VOC) into the design and delivery of a service offering. Stratification is a technique that separates data gathered from a variety of sources so that patterns can be seen. DoE are for planning, conducting, analyzing and interpreting controlled tests to evaluate the factors that control the value of a parameter or group of parameters, not for data collection

A Six Sigma project team has very limited time with an executive champion in an Analyze phase review. Which of the following tools represents the best combination of quantifiable data and visual display to justify the team's selection of Critical Xs from Potential Xs? A) Analysis-of-Variance (ANOVA) table B) Pareto chart C) Cause-and-Effect diagram D) Quality Functional Deployment matrix

Pareto chart combines both quantifiable data with visual display. It is a bar chart, where the bars depict the frequency of different data categories. The bars are arranged in order (left to right) by frequency. Many times the Pareto Chart will also include a line graph that shows the cumulative frequencies of all data types. ANOVA will indeed produce quantifiable justification for separating Critical Xs from Potential Xs, but the table will not display the results visually unless a separate plot such as a Main Effects Plot is employed. he Cause-and-Effect diagram is a visual display and may separate Critical Xs from Potential Xs, but does not typically include any quantifiable data.

When creating a detailed process map for a plastic molding process, which of the following are necessary process inputs? Resin material Solid weight Inspection report Part weight

Plastic resin is a normal input to a plastic molding process that is necessary to carry out the transformation to a molded part.

Which of the following is a direct benefit of a properly executed FMEA? A) Increased safety stock B) Decreased product functionality and robustness C) Reduced impact of risks due to defects D) Increased business process problems

Reduced impact of risks due to defects is a benefit of a proper FMEA. FMEA generally does not focus on inventory metrics. Even if it did, it is more likely that safety stock would be reduced, not increased. A benefit of FMEA would be improved product functionality and robustness.Reduced business process problems are a direct benefit of FMEA.

A methodology used to overcome the "Five Sigma Wall" is which of the following? A) As-is value stream map B) DMAIC C) DFSS D) The seven basic quality tools

The "Five Sigma Wall" refers to a "fatal" roadblock to DMAIC. An as-is value stream map is a tool that evaluates lead time. In Six Sigma methodology, DFSS is the next step when DMAIC fails to achieve the desired performance. In other words, if the current process cannot be improved, the design of the process and/or the product needs improvement. The seven basic quality tools are tools for performance in the one- to three-sigma range.

Which diagram depicts the most efficient sequence of events possible for a project? Activity network diagram Tree diagram Affinity diagram Fishbone diagram

The primary function of an activity network diagram is to determine the most efficient sequence of events for a project. A tree diagram is a useful input to an activity network diagram, but is not in itself sufficient to plot the most efficient project path. In affinity diagram helps to group ideas or issues into logical categories, but will not determine the most efficient way to pursue their implementation.

A Six Sigma team is focusing on reducing cycle time for an order. Which of the following best describes consequential metrics? Unplanned downtime Labor hours/order Frees up storage floor space Number of backlog orders

hink of consequential metrics like negative side effects. If you try to reduce cycle time of an order, then it may happen that labor hours per order are increased. Cycle time is linked with duration and Labor hours are linked with efforts. For example - Cycle time per order is 5 days and Labor hours are 40 hours per order. If you reduce cycle time per order to 4 days, it doesn't mean that Labor hours will be 32 hours per order. While achieving 4 days cycle time performance, there may be negative side effects on Labor hours per order. Due to excessive pressure more rework, or more overtime may result to increase Labor hours/order.

car maker is working on the design of a new sport utility vehicle. Which of the following tools can help the design team in gaining more understanding of their customers' needs? A) Kaizen B) Quality Function Deployment C) Check sheets D) Kano model

The Kano model is useful in gaining a thorough understanding of a customer's needs. Quality Function Deployment (QFD) integrates customer requirements (voice of the customer, or VOC) into the design and delivery of a service offering, but these requirements need to be collected first using other methods

A Six Sigma Manager is handling product redesign project. Which feedback forum is best suited to address obstacles encountered by the team? Status report Customer audit Management Review Storyboards

A management review provides management with the status of the project, the opportunity to review the project charter and project team mission, and a chance to discuss management responsibilities likely to have an impact on the progress of the team, etc. Status reports tell what the project is based on, and where it is supposed to be relative to the plan.

Which of the following quality management tools would best help a team to organize and summarize a natural grouping of a large number of ideas and issues? A) Activity network diagram B) Interrelationship diagraph C) Affinity diagram D) Tree diagram

C= Correct ! An affinity diagram helps teams logically group many brainstorming concepts into higher level buckets for further analysis. An interrelationship diagraph allows for analysis of cause-and-effect relationship, but does not create a hierarchical grouping of ideas per se. An activity network diagram is used to determine the most efficient sequence of work for a project. While it often employs Post-It notes, as does affinity diagramming, it is not focused primarily upon grouping ideas and issues into rational subgroups. The end product of an affinity diagram development exercise may take a tree diagram form, but with a tree diagram buckets are first defined, then brainstorming or data collection fills in the detail.

Which of the following is the best reason a company will choose, all else being equal, projects that most positively impact profitability? A) Profit allows an organization to purchase new machinery to meet increasing demand. B) High profits in the present guarantee the long-term success of a company. C) Earning profits allows a company to continue to work toward the goals of management. D) A company with profits can reward shareholders with quarterly dividends.

C= Correct! ----Earning profits allows a company to continue to work toward the goals of management is the correct answer. Profitability ensures an organization can remain an ongoing concern and work toward its goals, regardless of how it chooses to do so. Current profitability is no guarantee of future profitability. The organization must continually adapt to changing market conditions.

For activity X: Optimistic Time = 2 Most Likely Time = 4 Pessimistic Time = 5 What will be the estimated standard deviation for activity X? 0.25 3.83 0.16 0.50

CORRECT ! Estimated standard deviation means (Pessimistic Time - Optimistic Time / 6)= 0.5 Estimated duration means (Optimistic Time +4Most Likely + Pessimistic Time)/6= 3.63 Incorrect calculation (Pessimistic Time - Optimistic Time) / 12= 0.25 Incorrect calculation (Pessimistic Time - Most Likely)/6 = 0.16

Which of the following is an example of an activity that adds to the Cost of Quality? A) Addition of safety relief valve to pressure vessels being produced. B) Refining of crude oil to produce high quality unleaded gasoline. C) Regular online updates to anti-virus software. D) An inline pH test of milk before final formulation.

D= CORRECT!! quality costs are the total of the cost incurred by (a) investing in the prevention of nonconformance to requirements; (b) appraising a product or service for conformance to requirements; and (c) failure to meet requirements". Product testing is part of cost of quality. Refining of crude oil to produce high quality unleaded gasoline is part of the oil refining process and does not specify any product testing or other cost of quality activities. Safety relief valves are part of the product and not an added cost of quality. Regular online updates to anti-virus software is an added value to the product and a customer expectation, does not represent part of cost of quality.

Which of the following is an example of sub-optimization of the whole? A) Focusing on satisfying customer requirements will necessarily optimize the whole organization. B) The best way to optimize the whole organization is to optimize its parts either one at a time or using some design of experiments approach. C) The only way to optimize the whole is for all to sacrifice to work together to produce the best output (products/services) for their customers. D) Organizational processes are interdependent; the requirements specific to a sub-process may not align with organizational objectives.

D=The interconnectedness or interdependence of each process may require an individual process to sub-optimize to fulfill broader organizational performance goals (e.g., one sub-process may overproduce for downstream processes, increasing levels of waste within the organization). Because processes within an organization are interdependent, the whole organization cannot be optimized by optimizing its parts. For all to sacrifice to work together to produce the best output (products/services) for their customers is not the way to optimize the whole; rather, it restates the question as a statement.

An FMEA is being constructed for the manufacture of a syringe cartridge. The team has developed risk ranking scale criteria for calculating the RPN. The team has assigned five values for ranking likelihood of occurrence (O), 10 values for ranking the risk associated with severity (S), and five values for ranking the risk associated with detection (D). Using this method will most likely do which of the following? A) Give severity a disproportionate representation in RPN. B) Ensure all values for O, S, and D are equally represented in RPN. C) Give occurrence and severity an equal representation in RPN. D) Ensure RPN reflects the priority for addressing failure modes.

Failure modes with high severity rank values will result in larger RPN numbers than failure modes with high occurrence or detection values. Since O, S, and D have different levels of ranking, RPN may be biased and not provide correct priority.

Perfection can be achieved in the business process by which of the following? A) Conducting a one-time brainstorming session B) Adding more resources in the process C) Iteratively and continuously improving the process D) Having a kaizen blitz session

Perfection is not a one-time effort. It goes through many iterations as it is continuously improved. Kaizen blitz is a one-time problem-solving process. Adding more resources will not make the process perfect

In order to improve its services, a passport issuing authority started accepting applications for passports renewals trough local post offices in remote areas. The post office clerks accept renewal applications, collect supporting documents and fees, and forward completed applications to the passport authority for processing. Which of the following describes the passport authority's relationship with the post offices? A) The post offices are internal customers for the passport authority. B) The passport authority is a supplier to the post offices. C) The post offices are external customers for the passport authority. D) The passport authority is an external customer for the post offices.

The passport authority is using the post offices services, and hence it is their external customer. The post offices are suppliers to the passport authority and not customers.

Select the best example of vertical communication: A) Quality improvement team reporting on a cycle time reduction to the production team B) Field sales person notifying a production scheduler of pending large order C) Manager communicating the result of performance review to his direct report D) Cross-functional design team soliciting input from customers on a new product

A manager communicating the result of a performance review to his direct report is an example of vertical communication. A cross functional team soliciting input from customers on a new product AND THE REMAINING CHOICES = example of horizontal communication.

What does the SQUARE symbol above on a flowchart mean? Pre-defined process A yes/no decision point A start or end point in the process A connection of 2 process steps

A rectangle with a vertical line at each end of the symbol means that the process was pre-determined outside of this flowchart.

In a PERT chart, activities which may be done in parallel are indicated by which of the following? Colored line between activity boxes Identical predecessor step Square activity boxes Dashed arrow between activity boxes

ANSWER=Parallel activities will have the same predecessor step Colored line between activity boxes doesn't indicate parallel activities. It indicates Critical Path Square activity boxes don't indicate parallel activities. They indicate events. Events are nodes that separate tasks. Dashed arrow between activity boxes doesn't indicate parallel activities. It indicates a dummy activity or extra event. A dummy is an arrow drawn with dashed lines used to separate tasks that would otherwise start and stop with the same events or to show logical sequence. Dummies are not real tasks.

One member of a team frequently displays highly disruptive behavior, despite attempts by the leaders and facilitator to get this person to follow the team's ground rules. The team's performance has suffered as a result. As a team leader, what action would you recommend? A) Do not invite the person to future meetings B) Ask for guidance from the team sponsor C) Remove the person from the team D) Do not acknowledge the disruptive behavior and continue to lead the meetings

Although a last resort, removing the person from the team is probably the best action for the team leader to take, with the full support of the sponsor.

Which communication method is most effective when handling sensitive issues? An email A luncheon meeting In person A team meeting

Any sensitive communication issue must be handled privately and in person. Luncheon meetings are good for bottom up communication. Team meetings are good for horizontal communication Email lacks the ability to communicate emotion and does not allow for two-way communications. Close

When first established, team members go through a period of team growth often referred to as forming. This stage typically includes which of the following behavior by team members? Arguing among members, even when they agree on the real issue Questioning the wisdom of the person who selected the team members for the project Attempts to define the task and decide how it will be accomplished. Establishing and maintaining team ground rules and boundaries

Attempts to define the task and decide how it will be accomplished is a typical and normal behavior observed in the Forming stage. Questioning the wisdom of the person who selected the team members for the project is behavior typically associated with the second stage of team growth, Storming. Establishing and maintaining team ground rules and boundaries is behavior typically associated with the third stage of team growth, Norming. Arguing among members, even when they agree on the real issue is behavior typically associated with the second stage of team growth, Storming

Which of the following factors is considered in the assessment of risk? Outsourcing Potential for financial loss Relocation of facilities Insurance premiums

B= CORRECT

If two processes have the same value of Cp but process one has a Cpk value of 1.33 and process two has a Cpk value of 0.67, what can be said about these processes? The first is in control, the second isn't. The first is better centered than the second. The second is better centered than the first. The first is not capable, the second is.

Both processes have the same width but, based on the Cpk values given, the first is centered and the second isn't. (4 sigma to the nearest spec for the first, but only 2 sigma for the second.) The second process has a spec limit at 2 sigma from the average, while the first has the spec limit at 4 sigma from the average. A value of 0.67 identifies a process that is not capable.

A team needs a tool to illustrate anticipated problems and possible solutions. Which of the following tools would be the best tool for this team's need? Force field analysis Matrix diagram Process Decision Program Chart (PDPC) Prioritization matrix

CORRECT = A Process Decision Program Chart (PDPC) is a network diagram that is used to illustrate anticipated problems and identify alternative paths. A matrix diagram is used to identify relationships between two sets of elements. It is not useful in contingency planning. A force field analysis separates driving forces from restraining forces. It is used to assess the viability of a future state. Prioritization matrix is used to decide the relative importance of items in a list. It is not useful in contingency planning.

A team is tasked with deciding which option should be selected among several competing alternatives. Which of the following is the best tool for this team's need? Matrix diagram Process Decision Program Chart (PDPC) Force field analysis Prioritization matrix

Correct Answer = Prioritization matrix A Prioritization Matrix is used to decide the relative importance among options by assigning weights to each option and then evaluating them against a set of criteria. A matrix diagram will effectively uncover relationships between two groups of elements, but will not in and of itself lead to prioritization. A tree diagram's primary function is to break big ideas or issues into more detailed components for easier comprehension and action. Close

Which technique plots data to see how well it follows a straight line? Fitting mixtures Central Limit Theorem Normal Probability plot Test of model validity

Correct= Normal Probability Plot=By constructing a histogram and comparing it to a normal curve a normal probability plot to see if the sample data came from a normal distribution. Test of model validity is a test of the validity of an assumed discrete model, not a technique for plotting data. Fitting mixtures is a term used to describe one or more peaks within a distribution of data. Central limit theorem is a statistical principle not a technique used to plot data.

Review Graphs involving CPK

Cpk is a measure of the distance between the center of the distribution and the nearest specification limit. Clearly that is less than 3σ=.009. Therefore Cpk is less than 1. Cp is the ratio of the tolerance to the natural process limits. It appears from the chart that the tolerance is approximately .026(4.566-4.54), the process spread is 3x.009=.018. Therefore Cp>1.

Given an upper spec limit of 15.5mg, a process average of 10.35mg, and a standard deviation of 1.291mg, which of the following statements is true? The Cpk is 1.33. The process will produce .135% defective outside of the specification limit. The process will produce .26% of its output outside the spec limit. The specification limit is the same as the process limit.

Cpk= [USL - (X-BAR)] ___________ (3 * SIGMA) Cpk = (15.5 - 10.35) ------------------ = 1.33 (3* 0.1291)

A process that crosses through multiple departments in a company can present challenges for improvement efforts because: A) It slows the progression of normal team-building B) Cross-functional teams dilute the knowledge of the group C) Management support is more difficult to obtain. D) Two or more areas may think they own the process

Processes that travel through multiple departments (such as product design, which can go through Marketing, Engineering, and Manufacturing, for example) may have each department believing they own the process, and have final decision authority on changes. Cross functional teams are preferred as they help approach a problem from multiple angles.

A process improvement team is reviewing the purchasing process at a manufacturing site. The project team includes a Green Belt, the Production Manager, the Warehouse Manager, the Purchasing Manager, and three Line Operators. Which of the following is considered a process owner in this case? A) The Production Manager B) he General Manager of the site C) The Warehouse Manager D) The Purchasing Manager

Purchasing manager is the process owner of the purchasing process. The general manager can be the sponsor but not the process owner in this case. The production manager & WAREHOUSE MANAGER = stakeholder and not the owner.

Which of the following yield metrics most accurately reflects quality throughout a process? A) Final yield B) Throughput yield C) Rolled throughput yield D) First time yield

Rolled throughput yield is calculated based on the throughput yield or defects per opportunity at each step in the process. It considers all opportunities for defects. Final yield only looks at the defect-free units produced at the end of the process. Besides not including all of the opportunities for defects, it also ignores the rework that occurs throughout the process. First time yield only looks at the number of defect-free units produced and not all of the opportunities for defects contained in a unit. Throughput yield only measures the defects per opportunity at a specific step in the process and not all the steps in the process.

An improvement team is looking into ways to improve the approval timeline of personal loans at a major bank. Loan applications have to be reviewed and processed by several internal departments. These departments in turn will request feedback and credit reports from various external parties before approving the application. Which of the following tools will help the team in formulating a high level understanding of the process and its key players? A)Matrix Diagram B) SIPOC Diagram C) Relations Diagram D) Prioritization Matrix

SIPOCs help improvement teams in defining the boundaries of the project and defining the suppliers-inputs- process- outputs and customers of a process. Matrix Diagram shows the relationship between 2, 3 or 4 groups of information Relations Diagram helps analyze the natural links between different aspects of a complex situation Prioritization Matrix is a decision making tool

How would you best ensure that everyone in your nation-wide company receives the same information about the change in health care benefits? Give all managers a summary of the changes and ask them to communicate this information to their staff asq/learn_check.gif Send a written memo to all employees, followed by Q&A sessions at each location Show how the changes would support the company's mission, vision and values This is a task for the health insurance company

Sending a written memo to all employees, followed by Q&A sessions at each location is an important matter and should include the opportunity for a two-way dialogue. Giving all managers a summary of the changes and asking them to communicate this information to their staff assumes that the managers will communicate the news consistently and that they will schedule meetings with their staff.

Which of the following is the sampling method if each item is treated as a sample of size one, and a decision to accept, reject, or continue sampling is made after inspecting each item? Multiple sampling Continuous sampling Sequential sampling Double sampling

Sequential sampling is a procedure of testing items in sequence and continually making the decisions on accept or reject and whether to continue after each sample. In multiple sampling, more than two samples can be taken to reach the decision of acceptance or rejection. In this example, only one sample is being taken at a time Continuous sampling often begins with 100 percent inspection until a predetermined number of units are accepted. Sampling then takes place until a set number of defects are found and the original sampling technique resumes. In double sampling, two samples can be taken to reach the decision of acceptance or rejection of the lot or draw another sample.

Which of the following is true about using an Xbar and R chart to control and monitor a process? Specification limits apply to individual values while control limits apply to subgroup averages When the subgroup average falls between the control limits, the process isn't producing out-of-specification products. Subgroup averages fall between the control limits resulting in the process producing 3500 ppm out of specification When some subgroup averages fall outside the control limits then the process is producing at least some product out-of-specification.

Specification limits almost always apply to individual values. Control limits are used to compare subgroup averages over time to detect when a process changes. If the natural process limits are wider than the specification limits then even a process in statistical control will produce product out-of-specification. The subgroup averages being in statistical control doesn't mean the process is operating at a 6-sigma level. It could be worse or better. Remember control limits are for subgroup averages and specification limits are for individuals.

If the upper and lower specification limits are set at ±6σ, the process capability ratio (Cp) is 2.0. If another process capability study is performed and is determined that σ hasn't changed but the process capability index (Cpk) is now 1.5, the process has a mean that can move even more in the direction it is going without producing more than 3.4 ppm defective. is producing approximately 6.8 ppm defective. is producing the same % defective as when the original study was performed. is producing approximately 3.4 ppm defective.

Substitute 6σ for USL and solve. It is 1.5 σ, so the upper spec is now at (1.5+3=4.5) σ. Look up 4.5 z in the standard normal table. It is 3.4 ppm. Cpk= [USL - (X-BAR)] ___________ = 1.5 (sigma) (3 * SIGMA)

A Green Belt is comparing two machines against one another to determine if the variance introduced by one machine is different than the variance introduced by the other. Which of the following tests would best be used in this application? ANOVA Chi-square test Correlation Analysis F test

The F test makes a statistical comparison between the variances of two data sets. The null hypothesis states that if two normal populations have the same variance or not . Correlation analysis often measured as a correlation coefficient, indicates the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two random variables. One-way ANOVA is used to test for differences among two or more independent groups. Typically, however, the One-way ANOVA is used to test for differences among at least three groups, since the two-group case can be covered by a T-test. Pearson's chi-square (χ2) test It tests a null hypothesis that the frequency distribution of certain events observed in a sample is consistent with a particular theoretical distribution. The events considered must be mutually exclusive and have total probability 1. A common case for this is where the events each cover an outcome of a categorical variable.

What kind of plot takes the data points of 12, 13, 18, 18, 22, 22, 29, 29, 31, and 35 to show the minimum 12, maximum 35, median 22, and the quartiles of 18 and 29. Stem-and-leaf Box-and-whisker Weibull Histogram

The box-and-whisker is a graphical plot showing the data set statistics of minimum, maximum, medium, and quartiles.

There are 2 defective products in a production lot of 10. An inspector randomly selected 3 of them without replacement. What is the probability that all selected products are good? 3/10 46/120 56/120 2/10

The correct calculation is (8/10) x (7/9) x (6/8) = 336/720 = 56/120

What does the DIAMOND symbol above on a flowchart represent? A yes or no decision point A pre-defined process A starting or ending point in a process. A connection of 2 process steps

The diamond symbol indicates a yes or no decision has been made based on a question asked. A starting or ending point in the process is symbolized by an oval. A predefined process is symbolized rectangle with a vertical line at each end of shape. A connection of 2 process steps is shown with arrows or other connectors.

What should be considered when designing a process capability study? Data collection should be planned to isolate any potential sources of variation so they can be evaluated first. If the output from the process is statistically stable, then a process capability study isn't necessary. Process capability studies are only useful if the process is producing a low level of non-conforming parts. You can set the process up to the most frequently used conditions for the study. Any other conditions will produce similar results.

The first step should always be to thoroughly review the process to understand all potential sources of variation. You may need to take preliminary data to understand if your capability study sampling plan needs to be able to separate out all the sources. Not at all true. A process can be in statistical control but still produce out of specification product. A process capability study to identify and reduce potential sources of variation may be useful. Actually the opposite is true. If the process is producing few non-conforming parts, then it might be better to spend your limited resources on a more troublesome process. It is well established that processes produce different results under different conditions such as speed, temperature, humidity, incoming materials, etc.

A green belt is reviewing the raw materials ordering process at a ready-to-eat food processor. She discovers that large quantities of ingredients are ordered and stored at different locations to be used at various steps. A visit to the processing floor shows congested and clattered space. The green belt creates a value stream map for the process and discusses it with the production manager, who says that buying large quantities is necessary to ensure availability of ingredients. Which of the following should be the focus of the green belt next? A) Ensure proper storage conditions of the ingredients. B) Identify and reduce storage space waste on the processing floor. C) Review the purchase agreements with the suppliers for better prices based on ordered quantities. D) Monitor and track expiry dates of ingredients.

The key identified issue is the waste in storage space occupied by all the raw materials and how this can be managed. Ensuring proper storage conditions of the ingredients is a quality assurance function and no information in the question refers to issues with storage conditions. Reviewing the purchase agreements with the suppliers for better process based on ordered quantities is irrelevant as the problem is the quantity of orders, not their prices. Monitoring and tracking expiry dates of ingredients is a quality assurance function.

After writing down their ideas and turning them in to the facilitator, a customer experience improvement team begins to collectively rank the results. This is an example of which of the following? Brain writing Nominal group technique Round robin brainstorming Popcorn brainstorming

The nominal group technique is an idea generating process. Team members write their ideas privately, and then each idea is written on a flip chart. Team members rank all ideas with point values which are totaled at the end. The idea with the highest number of points is selected for implementation. Brain writing is a nonverbal form of brainstorming. Team members write down their ideas on paper, and then exchange the papers with other team members. These ideas are used to motivate the team members to write down more ideas. The popcorn technique is a freewheeling method of idea generation. It is used when the group is comfortable expressing ideas in front of others. It encourages creative thinking. The round robin technique obtains ideas from team members by going around the group and having each person verbally offer one idea at a time and repeated until the group runs out of ideas.

The different measures for dispersion include which of the following? Mode, Range, Standard deviation. Range. Mean, Standard deviation. Range, Variance, Standard deviation. Variance, Mode, Standard deviation.

The range is the maximum to minimum measure of dispersion. Variance is the square of standard deviation and a measure of dispersion. Standard deviation is the most important measure for dispersion. Mean is a measure of central tendency and not a measure of dispersion.

In a process failure mode and effects analysis, when is the resulting RPN calculated? A) After corrective actions have been identified and completed B) Only when severity changes C) After failures are monitored D) As soon as responsibility is assigned

The resulting RPN is calculated after corrective actions have been identified and completed. Only a design and/or process revision can change severity.Responsibility is only part of the corrective action.

Given a runout tolerance of .003in max, a process average of .0025in, and a calculated standard deviation (σ) of .0002in, what can be said about this process? The process is not in control. The process is capable. The process is not stable The process is not capable.

To answer this question Cpk needs to be determined using the formula: (spec limit - process average) / 3σ. For this problem: Cpk = .83 so process is capable To be capable the value of Cpk must be at least 1.00. To answer this question Cpk needs to be determined using the formula: (spec limit - process average) / 3σ. For this problem: Cpk = .83

Given the batch size (lot size), inspection level (LTPD), and AQL value, which of the following sampling plans would be most appropriate to determine the sample size and acceptance criteria? ANSI Z1.4 Sequential plan Variables single for defective Stratified plan

Variable plans (ANSI Z1.4) are a plan based on measurement of individual items, not whether they are conforming or nonconforming. A sequential plan is a plan that treats each item as a sample of one. With this technique, the sample is built up one item at a time. After inspecting each item, ask yourself: "Can we be sure enough to accept or reject this batch on the information so far collected?" Stratified sampling is used if the population of parts to be sampled is naturally divided into groups. Variable SingleThis type of sampling is applicable only for measurable characteristics that are normally distributed. (1) Take a representative sample of n units from the lot to be inspected. (2) Measure each unit and calculate the average of the samples, denoted X. (3) For a lower spec limit (LSL), accept if X ≥ LSL + k S. For an upper spec limit (USL), accept if X ≤ USL - k S. For two spec limits, accept if LSL + k S ≤ X≤ USL - k S. Otherwise, reject the lot.

Which of the following was one of Shewhart's contributions to the foundation of the Six Sigma methodology and tools? A) He experimented, identified, and documented the concept of the "Hawthorne effect." B) He created and used control charts, and he introduced the concept of statistical quality control. C) He was the first to describe and define the Six Sigma DMAIC approach to continuous improvement. D) He first promoted the idea that any process variation from a desired target value was a loss to society.

Answer=Control Chart= Shewart While he worked at the Hawthorne plant, the so-called "Hawthorne effect" was not documented by Shewhart. The reality of the "Hawthorne effect" is also still debated.

Customer satisfaction is primarily driven by which of the following? A) Delivering quality and product features that exceed those provided by competitors B) Capturing customer feedback through multiple methods (e.g., surveys, complaints, etc.) C) Identifying both the stated and unstated needs of customer segments D) The ability of a product or service to meet the needs of a user or purchaser

As with identifying needs, capturing customer feedback is important. However, unless the feedback is acted upon in a meaningful way, it will not promote customer satisfaction. Quality and product features are important, but there are other considerations such as providing unnecessary features, value for price, etc. The ability of a product or service to meet the needs of a user or purchaser is the correct answer.

The results of a gage study calculate the Total Gage R&R study variation (6*standard deviation) as 0.36. If the tolerance is +/- 0.25 then what is the percent of tolerance? 72% 144% 12% 24%

% of Tolerance is the Total Gage R&R study variation / tolerance width. The tolerance width is 0.50 (0.25 on either side). 0.36/0.50 = 0.72 x 100% = 72%.

Which of the following does a Process Capability Study provide? A tool to set engineering specifications A comparison of a process' performance to output requirements A tool to help reduce process variability A determination of short-term process performance, not long term performance.

Since a process capability study should only be used on a process that is stable, it can estimate long-term performance. When compared to outputs, process capability helps to determine overall performance. This comparison is quantified by the process capability index (Cp) among others. Engineering specifications should be set based upon engineering requirements. Process capability should only be considered when engineering specification are too tight for the process to achieve