Black Belt Exam Questions Flashcards
The purpose of the Define phase of the six sigma methodology is to reach agreement on the scope and performance goals of a project. The deliverables of the Define phase include all of the following EXCEPT?
a. A data collection plan
b. A completed project charter
c. A high level process map
d. Completed project plans
a. A data collection plan
A SIPOC map will help identify all of the following EXCEPT?^
a. Process
b. Suppliers
c. Inputs
d. Observations
d. Observations
Which flowchart and value stream symbols represents a decision?
(Square rotated 45degrees)
Financial criteria are often used by executive management and project champions to determine whether to undergo a project in terms of costs of the project and benefits to the organisation. This is commonly called the?
a. Return on Investment (ROI)
b. Project Activation Point (PAP)
c. Value Analysis
d. Project Cost Modeling
a. Return on Investment (ROI)
The Voice of Customer will determine what improvements are desired and need to be made. All improvements are done with the goal of increasing the quality of the business output. The three key input components of quality are listed below which one of the choices below is incorrect?
a. The Customer
b. The employee
c. The value stream
d. The process
c. The value stream
The ______ principle states that 20 percent of inputs result in 80 percent of outputs.
a. Taguchi
b. Pareto
c. Deming
d. Juran
b. Pareto
Which process improvement diagram, picture, or chart would a greenbelt use to show if the improvements implemented in a project are improving from the baseline or benchmark?
a. Pareto diagrams
b. Scatter diagrams
c. Histograms
d. Trend analyses
d. Trend analyses
The scatter diagram graphs pairs of numerical data with one variable on each axis to look for a relationship between them. If the variables are correlated, the points will fall along a line or curve. The better correlation, the tighter the points will be to the correlation line. Which of the following is NOT an application for a scatter diagram?
a. When you are trying to identify potential root causes of problems.
b. When you know two variables are related
c. When you have paired numerical data
When your dependent variable may have multiple values for each value of your independent variable
b. When you know two variables are related
In Quality ERA 3 quality assurance and good manufacturing practices are instituted. In this step products are designed, quality is built into the manufacturing steps. The manufacture is controlled, tested, and rejects discarded. The result is fewer product rejects due to manufacturing. Which timeframe was quality ERA 3?
a. 1950s to 1960s
b. 1920s to 1930s
c. 2000 to present
d. 1980 to 1990
a. 1950s to 1960s
The sigma symbol represents standard deviations from the normal range in a business process. The more deviation, the less desirable a product is. A Six Sigma business process is a process in which defective parts per million opportunities (DPMO) are determined and refined. Which level of sigma results in 66.807 defective parts per million?
a. 2nd Sigma level
b. 6th Sigma level
c. 3rd Sigma level
d. 4th Sigma level
c. 3rd Sigma level
Which stage of team development is represented by team members becoming more comfortable and beginning to express their differences in opinion?
a. Forming
b. Storming
c. Norming
d. Performing
b. Storming
Which of the following responsibilities or duties would be aligned with those of a six sigma green belt?
a. Executing the actual work of the project through guidance provided from six sigma green belts and six sigma black belts
b. Responsible for sponsoring the project and allowing for commitment of organisation resources to the six sigma project
c. Responsible for providing guidance and coaching others in the organisation about the six sigma philosophy.
d. Perform the operations required for the six sigma project and work with the project team ensuring that appropriate deliverables are met.
d. Perform the operations required for the six sigma project and work with the project team ensuring that appropriate deliverables are met.
The measure of central tendency where half the values are greater than or equal to it and half are less than or equal to it is?
a. The mean
b. The mode
c. The median
d. The average
c. The median
Which measurement data scale would include measures such as height ages, weight or length?
a. Nominal
b. Ordinal
c. Interval
d. Ratio
d. Ratio
A Measurement System Analysis (MSA) is a designed experiment that seeks to identify the components of variation in the measurement. A Measurement Systems Analysis evaluates the test method, measuring instruments, and the entire process of obtaining measurements to ensure the integrity of data. Which of the following is NOT considered in a Measurement Systems Analysis?
a. Selecting the correct measurement and approach
b. Assessing procedures & operators
c. Determine the design of experiments
d. Assessing the measure device
c. Determine the design of experiments
Which of the following descriptions of process capability is NOT correct?
a. Process Capability is a simple and straightfrowarde indicator of process capability
b. The more relaxed and widre the distribution the higher the Process Capability
c. Process Capability is a process index that numerically describes variation relative to the tolerance or specifications.
d. Process Capability is a short term process index that numerically describes the within subgroup or potential capability of a process assuming it was analysed and stays in control.
b. The more relaxed and widre the distribution the higher the Process Capability
The cost of poor quality is measured differently depending on the industry. The first goal is to have all the cost of quality in the Appraisal and Prevention areas and zero Costs of Poor Quality. Which of the following is NOT an example of an external cost?
a. Complaints
b. Environmental costs
c. Warranties
d. Delivery
d. Delivery
In correlation analysis the strength and direction of a correlation are defined and measured by its correlation coefficient (r). Values for correlation include all of the following EXCEPT?
a. 0 indicated absolute correlation
b. 0 indicates no correlation
c. -1 indicates a perfect negative correlation
d. 1 indicates a perfect positive correlation
a. 0 indicated absolute correlation
Critical to Quality (CTQs) are the internal critical quality parameters developed around what the customer wants and needs. Three of the following are process parameters that affect CTQ measures. Which one is NOT a process parameter that affects CTQ measures?
a. Internal procedural disagreement in measuring and monitoring tools
b. The timing ratio computed by dividing the time remaining until due date by the work time remaining
c. Noise caused by internal environments as a result of neighbouring subsystems such as part to part or piece to piece variation
d. Controllable parameters which deal with a product feature or process step that mus be controlled to guarantee delivery of what the customer wants
b. The timing ratio computed by dividing the time remaining until due date by the work time remaining
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis FMEAs are a systematic way of identifying and preventing problems before they occur and a proactive performance improvement tool to assist in new service design or existing processes. Failure modes determine the ways, or modes, in which something might fail. The effects analysis part of an FMEA studies what?
a. The improvement tools to be used.
b. Which effects are included
c. Which mode fails
d. The consequences of the failures
d. The consequences of the failures
Poka Yoke is a concept in quality that means mistake proofing and can eliminate operator errors, measurement errors or supplier errors. Which of the following processes is NOT an exampple of Poka Yoke application?
a. Developing a standard operating procedure for painters on an assembly line
b. Preventing setup errors such as using the wrong tooling or setting machine adjustments incorrectly
c. Advancing the speed of a frozen dinner assembly line
d. Prohibiting wrong parts used in the process
c. Advancing the speed of a frozen dinner assembly line
If a CEO were asking why printing costs are costing so much for a company and as the greenbelt you had reviewed paper costs, electricity costs, internal delivery costs, equipment rental costs, employee production costs which would be the most effective means of validating information?
a. Using project charter
b. Using control charts and process charts
c. Using the 5S method
d. Using a customer satisfaction survey
b. Using control charts and process charts
Special cause variation is found through process analysis, control charts or process documentation. Special cause variation is variability or variation that triggers an essential change that is needed. Which of the following may cause special cause variation?
a. You adequately foresee common cause variation
b. You don’t identify an important variable
c. Natural variation is understood
d. Common cause variation is eliminated
b. You don’t identify an important variable
There are many DPMO charts available to quantify defects analytically. If there are 4.261 defects per million opportunities, then the sigma level would be?
a. Closest to 2 sigma
b. Closest to 3 sigma
c. Closest to 4 sigma
d. Closest to 5 sigma
c. Closest to 4 sigma
The project plan template is a warehouse of information on how to improve the process. It outlines pilot studies and small scale tests of proposed solutions. The project charter does all of the following EXCEP?
a. Justifies the project efforts with financial impact
b. Defines roles of team members
c. Describes the problem and scope
d. Lists the tools to be used for the DMAIC
d. Lists the tools to be used for the DMAIC
Prototyping is the process of building a working model called a prototype to test various aspects of a design, changer or incorporate new ideas or improvements and react quickly to customer feedback at the improved product before implementing it on a large scale. What is the main function of prototyping?
a. Determine project costs
b. Determine customer needs
c. Reduces project risk and cost
d. Determine needed quality tests
c. Reduces project risk and cost
Walter Shewhart developed control charts in 1929 understanding variation had significant impact on quality. Which control chart is used to plot the mean and standard deviation of a subgroup more than than 5?
a. U chart
b. X bar-s chart
c. X bar-R chart
d. X-R chart
b. X bar-s chart
In which application would a Spearman Rank Correlation coefficient be used?
a. A measure that determines equality of sample medians
b. A measure that calculates r and allows the user to calculate partial correlation coefficient
c. A measure that requires both variables be measured on an ordinal scale
d. A measure that determines the degree of association among classifications of ranked scores
c. A measure that requires both variables be measured on an ordinal scale
In an FMEA the risk priority number is calculated by multiplying what?
a. Severity, Ocurrence and Detection
b. Risk, Opportunity, Options
c. Severity, Opportunity, Ocurrence
d. Causation, Determination, Prevention
a. Severity, Ocurrence and Detection
The analysis tool used to quantify the relationship between causes and effects would be?
a. FMEA
b. Multi variant analysis
c. Cause and Effect analysis
d. Regression analysis
d. Regression analysis
This formula denotes which process performance measure?
(Upper Specification Limit - Lower Specification Limit) / (6 x Process Standard Deviation)
a. Cp
b. Cpu
c. Cpl
d. Cpk
a. Cp
Considering confidence intervals, which of the following is correct?
a. The width of the confidence interval increases as the population sample size increases
b. A 90% confidence level will be wider than a 95% confidence interval
c. The width of the confidence interval will increase as the population size decreases
d. The width of the confidence interval decreases as the sample size increases
d. The width of the confidence interval decreases as the sample size increases
Which of the following is NOT an indication of an out-of-control signal in a control chart using a sample of approximately 20?
a. A run of four in a row are on the same side of the centerline
b. Two out of three successive points are on the same side of the centerline and farther than 2 sigma from it
c. Four out of five successive points are on the same side of the centerline and farther than 1 sigma from it
d. A single point outside the control limits
a. A run of four in a row are on the same side of the centerline
Variation is a change in data, characteristic, or function caused by one of four factors. Which of the following is NOT one of the four factors causing variation?
a. Special causes
b. Tampering
c. Common causes
d. Social variation
d. Social variation
The method for keeping a process within boundaries or the act of minimising the variation of a process is called the?
a. Process control
b. Process capability
c. Process capability index
d. Probability
a. Process control
Which set of Internation Standards Organization (ISO) standards covers quality management and quality assurance?
a. ISO 9001
b. ISO 1400
c. ISO 6000
d. ISO 1423
a. ISO 9001
Which of the following elements is NOT included in the cost of quality or the costs associated with providing poor quality product or service?
a. External Failure Cost
b. Internal Failure Cost
c. Recycle Cost
d. Inspection (appraisal) Cost
c. Recycle Cost
The Pareto principle defined by J.M. Juran states that most effects come from relatively few causes. It shows _____ of the effects come from _____ of the possible causes.
a. All, a sample proportion
b. 10%, 90%
c. 20%, 80%
d. 80%, 20%
d. 80%, 20%
A quality tool used for collecting and analysing data on the frequency or patterns of events, problems, defects, defect location, defect causes, particularly in production processes is the?
a. Check sheet
b. Scatter diagram
c. Control chart
d. Histogram
a. Check sheet
The six sigma tool used to improve a teams creativity and thinking, developed by Jiro Kawakita, which organizes a large number of ideas into their natural relationships is the?
a. Matrix diagram
b. Cause-and-effect/Ishikawa/fishbone diagram
c. Box and whisker plot
d. Affinity diagram
d. Affinity diagram
Which phase of the DMAIC model includes determining where problems or defects occur?
a. Define
b. Measure
c. Analyse
d. Improve
c. Analyse
Which of the following is a japanes management philosophy used to increase time between failure (MTBF) or life of machinery?
a. TOC
b. VOC
c. CTR
d. TPM
d. TPM
Simple linear regression is used when y is continuous and a single x variable exists. The following conditions must also be met EXCEPT?
a. The residuals are normally distributed
b. X can be ordinal or continuous
c. The residuals have constant variance across all values of X
d. The residuals are dependent
d. The residuals are dependent
Which of the following represents the number of defects divided by the number of products?
a. QFD
b. DPU
c. DPMO
d. COPQ
b. DPU
Which of the following is NOT a tool used in determining the project scope?
a. Product analysis
b. Data collection plan
c. Alternatives identification
d. Stakeholder analysis
b. Data collection plan
A type of bar chart that illustrates a project schedule with start and finish dates of the terminal elements and summary elements of a project including the work breakdown structure and the dependency of relationships between activities would be the?
a. DFSS chart
b. House of Quality
c. PERT chart
d. Gantt chart
d. Gantt chart
What is Mr. Henry Gantt famous for?
The high level project planning
What is the purpose of a SIPOC?
To identify the customers of our Process Output
What should you not show in your Project Charter?
The Stakeholder Map
Mention 3 good reasons for using a ‘swim lane’ flow chart?
…to make clear the responsibilities in the process
…to highlight the interfaces (handover points)
…to see clearly the critiques and issues
Which company invented the term ‘Six Sigma’?
Motorola
What is the big difference between a LSL and a LCL?
VOC (min. spec.) and VOP (min. standard deviation)
Why should you have a ‘milestone meeting’ at the end of ‘Improve’?
It is really to get the Go-No Go decision from the Sponsor/Budget holder, in order to continue with the implementation.
What is a Key Output Measure?
An quantitative output measure (ex.: parts produced)
Who invented ‘‘Normal Distribution’’?
Abraham de Moivre, in 1700 (before Mr. Gausse) a statistician and consultant to gamblers
What steps do you take with CTQ?
IGAD
…Identify
…Gather
…Analyse
…Define
What is the difference between Continuous and Discrete data?
Attribute data can not be divided in two, it’s counted data
What is the difference between a Must Have & Delighter?
A delight is not expect and will not negatively impact the satisfaction.
What is the Stakeholders Map used for?
To develop a communication plan
What are the 7 wastes?
TIM WOODS
…Transport
…Inventory
…Motion
…Waiting
…Overproduction
…Overprocessing
…Defects
What is the main reason why people resist to change?
Not knowing, Not Able, Not willing
When creating a Value Stream Map (VSM), where is the place to start first?
Understanding the customer requirements
What is Takt time?
Takt time is the pace at which the process should operate to ensure the customer demand can be achieved
Who is TIM WOOD?
The 7 Wastes
What are the criteria for for a solid BB project?
…Improvement of 20% OTOWOCD
…Financial Benefit of at least 150k€ per year
…Increase Customer Confidence
…To run the project within 6-8 months
…Work with a Project Team
…To be able to use Lean Six Sigma
What means Kaizen (in English)?
KAI - Change
ZEN - Good
To change for the better
What are the 4 emotional phases that teams go through during DEFINE?
Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing
What is the big difference between ‘Value Add’ and ‘Non Value Add’
VA = customer is willing to pay for
NVA = customer is not willing to pay for
What do the letters DMAICR stand for?
…Define
…Measure
…Analyse
…Improve
…Control
…Reinforce
What are 2 different types of Process Mapping?
…Swim Lane Flow Chart
…Value Stream Map
What is actually CTQ?
VOC made measurable
What is the purpose of the Kano Model?
To show relation between customers need vs satisfaction
Why do we use SMART?
It is a tool to make the project objective measurable
What is the purpose of Statistical Process Control (SPC)?
…To monitor, control and improve process performance over time by reducing variation at is source
…To distinguish between common and special cause variation
…Serve as a tool for ongoing control during the Control phase
What are the first 2 steps in translating the VOC into a CTQ?
…Identify (SIPOC)
…Gather / Collect (Interviews)
What is the difference between common and special variation?
The non-random variation within a process as a result of an action or an event
What does ‘in control’ mean?
In control means the process is consistent without special causes.
Name 3 definitions of Sigma?
…Standard deviation
…A management philosophy
…A process capability metric
What are the properties of the normal distribution?
…Bell shaped
…Symmetrical
…Uni-modal
Why is assessing for a normal distribution important?
…It allows evaluation of unusual distributions and potential root causes
…It is a pre-requisite test to calculate your process capability
Name four basic graphical analysis tools and their purpose?
… Pareto Chart - Prioritise focus based on 80/20 rule (scope project)
… Run Chart - Evaluate trends over time
… Histogram - Evaluate the shape of the distribution
… Boxplot - Compare multiple distributions for accuracy & precision
Which statistical tools evaluate relationships between variables?
…Scatter Plot - Graphically represent the relationship between 2 variables
… Correlation - Quantify the strength of the relationship
What does Kaizen mean?
It is Japanese for continuous improvement