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. If a three-stage process has 90% yields at each stage - what is the overall yield?
If the Response vs. Levels graph if the response lines are not parallel (crossing)
Represent the errors which are random variables with an assumed normal distribution with mean zero and a constant variance σ2.
The secondary characteristics of a product; "bells and whistles."
0.9^3 or 72.9%

2. What is a Gantt chart?
A chart that breaks the range of data into equal intervals and then shows the count of occurrences in each interval.
Shows the temporal flow of activities in a project network.
A simple graph between two variables - visualize the type - degree of strength and shape of the relationship between two variables
Supplier - input - process - output - customer.

3. Where should specifications fall in relation to ± 3 sigma for the process in order for a process to be capable.
Outside.
Plot the residuals vs. the fitted values (mean of each group - y(hat) = y (bar)i ) - Assumption of ____________not rejected if the dispersion of every group is approximately the same.
Producer risk.
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:

4. List two components of external failure.
Complaint adjustment - returned material - warranty charges - allowances - loss of future business.
No -- only if the process is also capable.
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:
Technique used to relate through a model - one or more independent variables and a dependent variable (response)

5. What is written on the "spines" of a fishbone diagram?
Supplier - input - process - output - customer.
Stratify a particular defect type according to logical criteria
Causes that lead to a particular effect.
The House of Quality.

6. When yields decrease - what are the two effects on contribution?
The cycle time required to meet demand.
Fewer good units to sell - increased variable cost/unit.
To monitor a process when measurement by variables is used.
Shows the temporal flow of activities in a project network.

7. What is poka yoke?
Rank of 10 if there is >= 100 per 1000 piece Rank of 1 if there is <=.01 per 1000 pieces
Define - measure - analyze - design - verify.
Mistake-proofing.
Is the consequence of the failure.

8. What are the Five Dimensions of Service Quality?
Represents the behavior of a process
Concluding there has been an effect/change when there has not.
Prevention and appraisal costs are balanced against internal and external failure.
Reliability - Assurance - Responsiveness - Tangibles - Empathy

9. For what is a p-chart used?
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).
To monitor a process when measurement by attribute is used.
0.9^3 or 72.9%
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

10. What does SIPOC stand for?
X-bar-bar
Used to create frequency distribution tally sheets
Supplier - input - process - output - customer.
Defects Per Million Opportunities

11. What is the role of a master black belt?
Prediction and estimation. based on an unknown x value - estimation is based on a known x value
95%
Supplier - input - process - output - customer.
To mentor/coach (and sometimes train) black belts.

12. Who first studied randomness in industrial processes
Failure Modes and Effects Analysis
Walter A. Shewhart
How much variance you expect around the prediction; two SEs gives you a 95% confidence interval.
A tool that shows the physical flows through a space.

13. FMEA
Deming.
Define - measure - analyze - improve - control.
Attribute.
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

14. What is the formula for the standard deviation of a proportion?
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
= yij - y(bar)i --> value minus sum of that treatment (of row)
=sqrt((p*(1-p)/n)
If the Response vs. Levels graph if the response lines are not parallel (crossing)

15. The data points on an SPC p-chart of defective percent plot below the mean. Is this good or bad?

16. Define durability.
Initiated before or at design concept finalization
= 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
Mean time to replacement.
The degree to which a product meets pre-established standards.

17. What is an affinity diagram?
Fewer good units to sell - increased variable cost/unit.
System to reduce waste and optimize productivity through maintaining an orderly workplace and using visual cues to achieve more consistent operational results.
A brainstorming tool that shows the connections between ideas.
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:

18. Complete this quality phrase: 'Fix the process - not the _____.'
Someone who is consistently against virtually everything.
Blame.
Studying firms with the best performance in a particular area.
False - because each machine will have different natural tolerances.

19. Who is a process owner?
A random variable that summarizes the information from the sample(s).
Mean time to replacement.
The manager in charge of a process being improved in a Six Sigma project.
An interaction is defined as a dependence relationship between the response and the levels of two or more variables

20. In the Service Quality Gap Model - what is Gap 3?
Yes - when there are opportunities to improve - when contribution margin is adequate - when achieving market share is important.
= 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
The gap between specifications and how service is performed.
= yij - y(bar)i --> value minus sum of that treatment (of row)

21. What is the center line of a p-chart?
Large enough to find two of the attribute - on average.
What the value of the dependent variable is when the independent variable is zero.
p-bar - the long-run percent defective.
Actual drawings - layouts - maps - etc which show where a defect occurs

22. What is the difference between the way sampling is done for SPC and for acceptance sampling?
Sampling for SPC is done real time.
Mistake-proofing.
Technique used to relate through a model - one or more independent variables and a dependent variable (response)
Inventory = throughput x flow time.

23. Test for Independence
The amount of variation in the dependent variable that is explained by the variation in the independent variable(s).
Financial - customer - internal process - innovation and learning.
An interaction is defined as a dependence relationship between the response and the levels of two or more variables
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

24. In a regression - what does R-square tell you?
No -- if it is not the same - it can only be worse!
The amount of variation in the dependent variable that is explained by the variation in the independent variable(s).
Sort - Set in Order - Shine - Standardize - Sustain
An experiment where one or more variables believed to have an effect on an experimental outcome are identified and manipulated according to a plan

25. Why do you need two control charts for variables SPC?
Performance - features - conformance - reliability - durability - serviceability - aesthetics - perceived quality
95%
Attribute.
Because the mean and standard deviation are independent of each other.

26. What is DMADV?
Blame.
Define - measure - analyze - design - verify.
100%
Variable.

27. What is Type II Error?
Concluding there has not been an effect/change when there has.
Lower skill requirements - faster - less chance for error.
Waste.
Used to create frequency distribution tally sheets

28. Define perceived quality (Garvin's framework).
50%
Brand image.
Quality planning - design review - education and training - process control - IS costs - quality reporting - improvement project costs - working with suppliers before production.
A brainstorming tool that shows the connections between ideas.

29. When Crosby said - "Quality is free -" what dimension of quality was he referring to?
Used to create frequency distribution tally sheets
The US national quality award.
Conformance to specifications.
The gap between what customers expect and the service they receive.

30. Taguchi's experimental designs are of this type.
A simple graph between two variables - visualize the type - degree of strength and shape of the relationship between two variables
Prevention and appraisal costs are balanced against internal and external failure.
Fractional factorial designs (orthogonal arrays)
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).

31. What is the Baldrige Award?
No -- if it is not the same - it can only be worse!
The US national quality award.
What the value of the dependent variable is when the independent variable is zero.
Lean (or JIT).

32. Histogram by Hand
Used to create frequency distribution tally sheets
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
A diagram that shows the relationships between activities in a project network.
Initiated before or at design concept finalization

33. In a regression - what does the standard error of the estimate tell you?
A brainstorming tool that shows the connections between ideas.
How much variance you expect around the prediction; two SEs gives you a 95% confidence interval.
Reliability - Assurance - Responsiveness - Tangibles - Empathy
Attribute.

34. If a Cp shows that a process is not capable - should you calculate Cpk?
Lower skill requirements - faster - less chance for error.
= yij - y(bar)i --> value minus sum of that treatment (of row)
Deming.
No -- if it is not the same - it can only be worse!

35. Defect location check sheets
The amount of variation in the dependent variable that is explained by the variation in the independent variable(s).
0.9^3 or 72.9%
Actual drawings - layouts - maps - etc which show where a defect occurs
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).

36. What is the Deming Prize?
The Japanese national quality award.
5%
Organize ideas into meaningful categories by recognizing their underlying similarity
A tool that shows the physical flows through a space.

37. Process occurance ranking
Shifts - Trends - Repeating patterns - Correlation with known events
Rank of 10 if there is >= 100 per 1000 piece Rank of 1 if there is <=.01 per 1000 pieces
To obtain a certain desirable outcome from the process
Lower skill requirements - faster - less chance for error.

38. Approximately what percent of a normal distribution falls between ± 3 standard deviations from the mean?
Lower control limit.
= 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
99.73%
The secondary characteristics of a product; "bells and whistles."

39. With Six Sigma capability - how many defects per million opportunities would you see?
Technique used to relate through a model - one or more independent variables and a dependent variable (response)
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
3.4 (assuming 1.5 sigma shift in the mean)
The gap between what customers expect and the service they receive.

40. What is a CAVE man?
Consumer risk.
Someone who is consistently against virtually everything.
Supplier - input - process - output - customer.
Fitness for use.

41. Who developed the fishbone diagram?
Kaoru Ishikawa.
Someone who is consistently against virtually everything.
Brand image.
To do a capability study for a non-centered process.

42. Regression
A time series plot.
The gap between specifications and how service is performed.
0.9^3 or 72.9%
Represents the behavior of a process

43. What quality tool formally incorporates the voice of the customer?
Assigns scores to weighted criteria for each project under consideration.
Consumer risk.
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).
QFD

44. What is muda
Sampling for SPC is done real time.
Waste.
Complaint adjustment - returned material - warranty charges - allowances - loss of future business.
It's good -- but it's still out of control!

45. What are the 5 Ss?
Sort - Set in Order - Shine - Standardize - Sustain
Hold all input variables constant except one. Observe the response as you vary the single input.
Sampling for SPC is done real time.
Failure Modes and Effects Analysis

46. What is the role of a green belt?
Variable.
Sampling for SPC is done real time.
To be a member of a Six Sigma project team.
The primary operating characteristics of a product.

47. What does DMAIC stand for?
Define - measure - analyze - improve - control.
Conformance to specifications.
A brainstorming tool that shows the connections between ideas.
It usually isn't possible to hold all other variables constant - There is no way to account for the effect of joint variation of independent variables - such as interaction - There is no way to account for experimental error - including measurement v

48. Disadvantages of DOE

49. What is a run chart?
No -- only if the process is also capable.
Concluding there has not been an effect/change when there has.
A time series plot.
Taguchi

50. Residual(eij)
Someone who is consistently against virtually everything.
Consumer risk.
Assigns scores to weighted criteria for each project under consideration.
= yij - y(bar)i --> value minus sum of that treatment (of row)