Continuous Improvement and Standards Flashcards
Implementation of the Lean methodology consists of various stages.
Which statements describe the four stages in the Lean methodology?
- Reviewing the results to ensure that the changes have had an impact
- This is a correct option. Reviewing results occurs during the fourth stage of the Lean methodology that of continuous improvement. - Planning and implementing the design for changes
- This is a correct option. The solution implementation stage is the third stage in the Lean methodology. - Looking at critical processes that can benefit the most from improvement
- This is a correct option. The first stage in the Lean methodology focuses on the identification of an opportunity. - Analyzing current processes and designing new solutions
- This is a correct option. The second stage of the Lean methodology involves analyzing current processes with an emphasis on solution design.
There are five laws associated with the Lean methodology.
Which statements describe these laws?
- The time it takes to perform a process should be proportional to the flexibility to make changes
Selected
Correct answer. - This is a correct option. The law of flexibility states that the more receptive an organization is to change, the shorter the time required for it to be implemented. - 20% of activities cause 80% of problems or delays
Selected
Correct answer. - This is a correct option. The law of focus encourages identifying where a delay originates so more impact can be realized when that delay is eliminated. - The organization should ensure its customers are satisfied
Selected
Correct answer. - This is a correct option. The law of the market states that the customer is the highest priority for the organization, because quality is critical to customer satisfaction.
There are four key concepts involved in Lean thinking.
Match each Lean concept to its description.
Value stream: The entire set of activities across the organization involved in delivering the product or service. The value stream refers to all the activities and processes involved in creating value for the customer.
Pull: The customer’s needs and demands that should dictate the process. The pull refers to the customer’s demand and the creation of a process to respond to it.
Perfection: The continual pursuit of creating the ideal product or service for your customer
Perfection is pursued through the continual review and improvement of your product or service.
Value: The expectations and perceptions of the customer, and what they would be willing to pay for. Value must be defined from the customer’s perspective.
Six Sigma is a continuous improvement methodology.
What are some of the characteristics of Six Sigma?
- It uses the transfer function to relate the inputs to the outputs- This is a correct option. Transfer function is used to ensure the value of the outputs in a process are dependent on the value or function of the inputs.
- It is a five-phase improvement methodology
- This is a correct option. Six Sigma is based on the five phases in the DMAIC cycle – define, measure, analyze, improve, and control. - It is used in service and manufacturing industries
- This is a correct option. Six Sigma is used extensively in manufacturing and service industries to ensure continuous improvement.
Continuous improvement is integral to creating a competitive advantage.
Which quality management practices result in continuous improvement?
- Using lessons learned in planning future projects
- Ensuring stakeholders are fully engaged in improving processes, products, and services
- Using a development model that follows the plan-do-check-act cycle
- Implementing the plan-do-check-act cycle
- This is a correct option. The plan-do-check-act cycle is a key component of quality management and continuous improvement upon which much of the PMBOK® Guide is based. - Ensuring stakeholders are fully engaged in improving processes, products, and services
- This is a correct option. All stakeholders must be engaged in improving processes, products, and services in their respective areas. - Analyzing lessons learned from earlier projects
- This is a correct option. The successes and failures of past projects are used to inform continuous improvement strategies.
Kanban-pull is a method used to control the flow of production.
What are the characteristics of the Kanban-pull method?
- It signals when to pull materials into the value stream
- This is a correct option. The Kanban-pull method is primarily used in manufacturing to signal when to pull materials into the value stream. - It improves overall quality and inventory control
- This is a correct option. The Kanban-pull method provides control over inventory by reducing stock on hand to only what is required. - It avoids overproduction and thereby eliminates waste
- This is a correct option. By pulling materials in only when needed, overproduction and excess inventory are eliminated when using the Kanban-pull method.
The value stream is a key component of the Lean methodology.
What are the types of information a value stream map would reveal?
- The obstacles or waste that are disrupting process flow
- This is a correct option. The value stream map identifies where waste is present and quality improvements can be made. - The areas where process improvements will create value
- This is a correct option. Value stream mapping not only shows the activities that provide the value, but also identifies where quality improvements can be made. - The time required to perform activities
- This is a correct option. The value stream map should include information on the time required to perform activities and the waiting periods between them. - All the steps or activities involved in producing output
- This is a correct option. The value stream map incorporates the entire set of activities involved in delivering a product or service to the customer.
The ISO is the International Organization for Standardization.
What are some of the key principles of the ISO 9000 quality standard?
- Customer centric
- This is a correct option. An organization depends on customers and therefore the needs of the customer should be continually reviewed and understood. - Continuous improvement
- This is a correct option. Continually improving the overall performance of the organization is one of the ISO 9000 quality key objectives. - Strong leadership
- This is a correct option. The ISO leadership principle advances a consistent understanding of the purpose and direction of the organization.
Capability Maturity Model Integration, also known as CMMI®, can be used to guide process improvement.
What are some characteristics of CMMI®?
- Its models consist of best practices for developmental activity - This is a correct option. In CMMI®, the model consists of best practices for development activities, including project management and other supporting processes used in software development and maintenance.
- It requires interpretation
- This is a correct option. In CMMI®, the process areas and practices should be evaluated based on the constraints of the organization, as well as the business environment. - It provides guidance
- This is a correct option. The use of CMMI® within an organization is dependent on many factors, including the organizational structure, size, and type of business.
The British Standards Institution is the world’s largest certification body confirming British Standards, or BS, certification.
What are some examples of BS standards?
- Security management
- Security management standards include information, physical, and vehicle security. - Health and safety
Health and safety standards include occupational health and safety, road traffic safety, and food management. - Building construction
- Building construction standards are standards for architects, developers, building owners, contractors, and structural engineers. - Organizational governance
- Organizational governance standards include information systems and operations, organizational methods, procedures, and business continuity.
IEEE stands for the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
What do the IEEE quality standards aim to achieve?
- Review product interoperability- This is a correct option. Product interoperability reviews appraise the compatibility between products, such as enabling plug-and-play functionality.
- Ensure public health and safety
- This is a correct option. Public health and safety deals with health care devices, nuclear power generation, and many topics in between. - Ensure reliability of materials and products
- This is a correct option. Ensuring the reliability of materials and products includes the evaluation and testing used in the screening and selection of materials. - Ensure product functionality and compatibility
- This is a correct option. Product functionality and compatibility includes recommendations to improve the way products function and to ensure they are compatible with systems.
Implementation of the Lean method consists of various stages.
What are the four stages in implementing the Lean methodology?
- Make continuous improvements that eliminate waste
- Identify opportunities for improvement
- Implement the solution
- Design a solution that will fix the problems
Six Sigma is a methodology that evolved directly from mainstream quality control methods.
Which statements apply to the characteristics of Six Sigma?
It measures the defects per million opportunities, or DPMO, to analyze and improve processes Not selected Correct answer. It is composed of five phases Selected Correct answer. It follows a structured process for analyzing the cause-and-effect relationships between variables Selected Correct answer. It is used extensively in manufacturing and service industries Selected Correct answer.
Six Sigma is a methodology that evolved directly from mainstream quality control methods.
Which statements apply to the characteristics of Six Sigma?
- It measures the defects per million opportunities, or DPMO, to analyze and improve processes
- It is composed of five phases
It follows a structured process for analyzing the cause-and-effect relationships between variables - It is used extensively in manufacturing and service industries
The value stream is a key component of Lean.
What information is revealed by a value stream map?
The parts of the system that contain waste Selected Correct answer. The time required to perform activities Selected Correct answer. The areas where quality improvements can be made Selected Correct answer. The flow of material and information from the suppliers to the customers Selected Correct answer.
