Test your basic knowledge |

Six Sigma

Subjects : certifications, six-sigma, business-skills

Instructions:

Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.

1. What is the Deming Prize?
Someone who is consistently against virtually everything.
Variable.
100%
The Japanese national quality award.

2. Define takt time.
Represent the errors which are random variables with an assumed normal distribution with mean zero and a constant variance σ2.
The cycle time required to meet demand.
Is what induces the failure
Defects Per Million Opportunities

3. What is DPMO?
Mistake-proofing.
To manage the Six Sigma project.
F_alpha - df(tr) - df (error)
Defects Per Million Opportunities

4. In the Service Quality Gap Model - what is Gap 4?
A simple graph between two variables - visualize the type - degree of strength and shape of the relationship between two variables
The gap between what is promised and what is delivered.
Incoming materials inspection - inspection and testing - maintaining test equipment - materials/services consumed
=sqrt(Σ(x-x-bar)^2)/(n-1))

5. Regression
Observed variation in response is caused by the input
Represents the behavior of a process
An interaction is defined as a dependence relationship between the response and the levels of two or more variables
QFD

6. What is a network diagram?
Shows the temporal flow of activities in a project network.
A diagram that shows the relationships between activities in a project network.
Define - measure - analyze - design - verify.
Organize ideas into meaningful categories by recognizing their underlying similarity

7. The Test Statistic (TS)
F_alpha - df(tr) - df (error)
A random variable that summarizes the information from the sample(s).
Scrap - rework - retest - downtime - yield losses - disposition costs.
If the Response vs. Levels graph if the response lines are not parallel (crossing)

8. Presence of interaction effect
Deming.
How much variance you expect around the prediction; two SEs gives you a 95% confidence interval.
Used to create frequency distribution tally sheets
If the Response vs. Levels graph if the response lines are not parallel (crossing)

9. What does Crosby say about benchmarking?
Used to create frequency distribution tally sheets
The process of ranking opportunities to determine which of many potential opportunities should be pursued first.
Technique used to relate through a model - one or more independent variables and a dependent variable (response)
Look to your customer - not to other firms. "You can always find someone shorter - fatter and balder!"

10. What type of risk is associated with Type II Error?
Vary two or more variables simultaneously - Multiple measurements are obtained under the same experimental conditions
5%
To manage the Six Sigma project.
Consumer risk.

11. Residual
99.73%
The gap between what management thinks customers want and what customers really want.
Represent the errors which are random variables with an assumed normal distribution with mean zero and a constant variance σ2.
It looks to minimize the probability of a failure - or to minimize its effects

12. What are the four regression assumptions?
Linearity - normality - homoscedasticity - independence.
Another way to assess the significance of the analyzed factors is through a graphic procedure developed by C. Daniel when only one replicate (a single observation) was obtained:
A scatterplot.
Fractional factorial designs (orthogonal arrays)

13. Define conformance quality.
Shifts - Trends - Repeating patterns - Correlation with known events
The secondary characteristics of a product; "bells and whistles."
It looks to minimize the probability of a failure - or to minimize its effects
The degree to which a product meets pre-established standards.

14. For what is a p-chart used?
A tool that shows the physical flows through a space.
False - because each machine will have different natural tolerances.
To monitor a process when measurement by attribute is used.
The gap between specifications and how service is performed.

15. If a Cp shows that a process is not capable - should you calculate Cpk?
No -- if it is not the same - it can only be worse!
Studying firms with the best performance in a particular area.
The ability of a process to consistently meet customer specifications.
Is what induces the failure

16. Stratified defect check sheets
It's good -- but it's still out of control!
0.9^3 or 72.9%
The gap between specifications and how service is performed.
Stratify a particular defect type according to logical criteria

17. To what does the Six in Six Sigma relate?
To mentor/coach (and sometimes train) black belts.
The target number of standard deviations from the mean for specifications.
Because the mean and standard deviation are independent of each other.
Financial - customer - internal process - innovation and learning.

18. FMEA
Walter A. Shewhart
A systemized group of activities designed to 1. recognize and evaluate the potential failure of product/process and its effects 2. Identify actions which could eliminate or reduce the chance of potential failure ocurring 3. document the process
1) Obtain Residuals 2) Fill out table --> y coordinates: F = 100 (i-.5)/N x coordinates: Ordered Residual 3) Plot on Normal Probability Paper
A brainstorming tool that shows the connections between ideas.

19. Design of Experiments (DOE) approach
Lower skill requirements - faster - less chance for error.
= y = Beta(0) + Beta(1)X + epsilon y=dependent variable (response) x=independent variable (predictor of y) - epsilon=error component - Beta(not)=intersection. If data include zero - it represents the mean of the distribution of y when - x=0. It does
Vary two or more variables simultaneously - Multiple measurements are obtained under the same experimental conditions
Technique used to relate through a model - one or more independent variables and a dependent variable (response)

20. In Juran's Cost of Quality model - which categories of costs balance which other categories?
A chart that breaks the range of data into equal intervals and then shows the count of occurrences in each interval.
Observed variation in response is caused by the input
Prevention and appraisal costs are balanced against internal and external failure.
A time series plot.

21. What size should samples be for attribute SPC?
Someone who is consistently against virtually everything.
A scatterplot.
Look for the assignable cause of non-random variation.
Large enough to find two of the attribute - on average.

22. Effect ranking (Severity of the Defect)
A tools that is used to measure the amount of variation in the measurement system arising from the measurement device (repeatability) and the people taking the measurement (reproducibility).
10 for Hazardous without warning 1 for none
Outside.
Attribute.

23. Histogram by Hand
A tool that shows performance along key dimensions all at once.
No -- if it is not the same - it can only be worse!
1) Identify the Range (Max Value - Min Value) 2) Determine # of bins 3) Determine the Width of each bin --> (Range / # Bins) 4) Put values in correct Bin
It's good -- but it's still out of control!

24. What is muda
Waste.
Data reduction to put a large number of qualitative inputs into a smaller number of major dimensions
A tool that shows where there is waste in a process.
Fewer good units to sell - increased variable cost/unit.

25. Approximately what percent of a normal distribution falls between ± 1 standard deviations from the mean?
Before production starts
Rapid improvement process.
Mean time to replacement.
68%

26. With Six Sigma capability - how many defects per million opportunities would you see?
Kaoru Ishikawa.
3.4 (assuming 1.5 sigma shift in the mean)
A tool that shows where there is waste in a process.
A tools that is used to measure the amount of variation in the measurement system arising from the measurement device (repeatability) and the people taking the measurement (reproducibility).

27. What is the center line of a p-chart?
Actual drawings - layouts - maps - etc which show where a defect occurs
Attribute
p-bar - the long-run percent defective.
Not necessarily.

28. An SPC chart shows no points outside the control limits. Does this mean the process is in control?
Organize ideas into meaningful categories by recognizing their underlying similarity
No -- the variation also has to be random and "expected."
Large enough to find two of the attribute - on average.
The secondary characteristics of a product; "bells and whistles."

29. Failure Mode
A systemized group of activities designed to 1. recognize and evaluate the potential failure of product/process and its effects 2. Identify actions which could eliminate or reduce the chance of potential failure ocurring 3. document the process
Before production starts
Is the way in which the failure is manifested.
A scatterplot.

30. Definition of Interaction
An interaction is defined as a dependence relationship between the response and the levels of two or more variables
Variable.
The US national quality award.
Linearity - normality - homoscedasticity - independence.

31. Define performance quality.
A time series plot.
1.Interactions can be detected and measured 2.Each value does the work of several values 3.Experimental error is quantified and used to determine the confidence the experimenter has in the conclusions
Fractional factorial designs (orthogonal arrays)
The primary operating characteristics of a product.

32. What are the four perspectives of the Balanced Scorecard?
Financial - customer - internal process - innovation and learning.
50%
No -- only if the process is also capable.
Workers - machines - materials.

33. In a regression - what does R-square tell you?
The amount of variation in the dependent variable that is explained by the variation in the independent variable(s).
The secondary characteristics of a product; "bells and whistles."
Supplier - input - process - output - customer.
No -- if it is not the same - it can only be worse!

34. In the Service Quality Gap Model - what is Gap 5?
Studying firms with the best performance in a particular area.
The gap between what customers expect and the service they receive.
X-bar-bar
A random variable that summarizes the information from the sample(s).

35. What is Value Stream Mapping?
Fewer good units to sell - increased variable cost/unit.
A tool that shows where there is waste in a process.
Incoming materials inspection - inspection and testing - maintaining test equipment - materials/services consumed
Scrap - rework - retest - downtime - yield losses - disposition costs.

36. Define perceived quality (Garvin's framework).
Lower skill requirements - faster - less chance for error.
Mistake-proofing.
Brand image.
No; if the process is centered - Cp will be the same; if not - Cpk is what you need to determine capabilty.

37. What does the abbreviation LCL stand for?
Lower control limit.
Rank of 10 if there is >= 100 per 1000 piece Rank of 1 if there is <=.01 per 1000 pieces
A time series plot.
Stratify a particular defect type according to logical criteria

38. Define features.
The secondary characteristics of a product; "bells and whistles."
Through producer/consumer negotiation.
To do a capability study for a non-centered process.
Method developed by Ishikawa to graphically display the causes of any given problem

39. Test for Independence
System to reduce waste and optimize productivity through maintaining an orderly workplace and using visual cues to achieve more consistent operational results.
consists of plotting the residuals vs. the order of each experiment - If - as in the case of the constant variance a random horizontal band is obtained - the ______________ of the residuals is not rejected. (should be random above a below the line i
=sqrt((p*(1-p)/n)
Walter A. Shewhart

40. Define durability.
50%
Mean time to replacement.
A simple graph between two variables - visualize the type - degree of strength and shape of the relationship between two variables
An interaction is defined as a dependence relationship between the response and the levels of two or more variables

41. What is a spaghetti diagram?
Actual drawings - layouts - maps - etc which show where a defect occurs
No -- if it is not the same - it can only be worse!
A tool that shows the physical flows through a space.
50%

42. Taguchi's experimental designs are of this type.
Shifts - Trends - Repeating patterns - Correlation with known events
Variable.
Attribute.
Fractional factorial designs (orthogonal arrays)

43. Based on what principal can we use the normal distribution assumptions for SPC?
What the value of the dependent variable is when the independent variable is zero.
Central Limit Theorem
The gap between specifications and how service is performed.
Reliability - Assurance - Responsiveness - Tangibles - Empathy

44. Name the structure associated with Quality Function Deployment.
The secondary characteristics of a product; "bells and whistles."
To do a capability study for a non-centered process.
The House of Quality.
1.Interactions can be detected and measured 2.Each value does the work of several values 3.Experimental error is quantified and used to determine the confidence the experimenter has in the conclusions

45. What is a CAVE man?
Stratify a particular defect type according to logical criteria
Someone who is consistently against virtually everything.
The degree to which a product meets pre-established standards.
Decomposing the total variation of data into: (a) the internal or "natural" or "within" groups variation - and (b) the "between" groups variation in such a way that when these two types of variation are compared - it's possible to determine if there

46. What are the four categories of costs in Juran's framework?
What the value of the dependent variable is when the independent variable is zero.
Prevention - appraisal - internal failure - external failure.
Studying firms with the best performance in a particular area.
Fractional factorial designs (orthogonal arrays)

47. Risk Priority Number RPN
Studying firms with the best performance in a particular area.
Concluding there has not been an effect/change when there has.
To obtain a certain desirable outcome from the process
= S x O x D S--> Severity O--> Occurrence D--> Detection Higher the number the worse it is

48. In a regression - what does the p value of F tell you?
Attribute.
Failure Modes and Effects Analysis
How likely it is to have an F statistic of that value if there really is no relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variable(s).
Prevention and appraisal costs are balanced against internal and external failure.

49. List two components of internal failure.
Observed variation in response is caused by the input
Scrap - rework - retest - downtime - yield losses - disposition costs.
Speed - courtesy - competence - and ease of repair.
No; if the process is centered - Cp will be the same; if not - Cpk is what you need to determine capabilty.

50. Regression Analysis
The Japanese national quality award.
Kaoru Ishikawa.
Technique used to relate through a model - one or more independent variables and a dependent variable (response)
Is the way in which the failure is manifested.