Enterprise Culture

Question 1

1. To develop a consistent lean enterprise, lean system thinking is incorporated in daily activities. Which of the following would you include in the cultural framework to help develop behavioral expectations for job performance?
   A. Performance evaluations and job descriptions.
   B. Routine practice with equipment.
   C. Discussion on performance measures with competitors.
   D. Introduction of new equipment.

Answer 1

1. Answer: A - You would include performance evaluations and job descriptions in the cultural framework to help develop behavioral expectations for job performance. A lean enterprise is driven by consistent reminders of the need to incorporate quality in daily work.

Question 2

2. The “part-whole relationship” explains that larger entities are built out of smaller ones. What is the best example of a part-whole relationship?
   A. Spaghetti contains sauce.
   B. A house is built from lumber.
   C. An automobile is built with a frame, powertrain, and interior/exterior accessories.
   D. A grocery store has customers.

Answer 2

2. Answer: C - The best example of a whole part relationship is an automobile which is built with a frame, powertrain, and interior/exterior accessories. The automobile is built of three smaller systems which when combined comprise the total car.

Question 3

3. Dynamic thinking in lean means structuring business for dynamic stability. Which of the following does lean dynamics address?
   A. Calculation or rolled throughput yield.
   B. Environmental compliance for the organization.
   C. Reduction of the total number of employees.
   D. Delays in the value flowing through operations.

Answer 3

3. Answer: D - Lean dynamic thinking addresses delays in the value flowing through operations. Dynamic thinking includes developing processes which are not static and continually improving the processes the organization performs.

Question 4

4. Closed-loop thinking uses which model of manufacturer-supplier-customer relationship?
   A. Conventional linear relationship.
   B. Collaborative and mutually supportive model.
   C. Re-inventing the wheel model.
   D. Circular resource model.

Answer 4

4. Answer: B - Closed-loop thinking uses the collaborative and mutually supportive model. The closed-loop model is used to balance sustainability and innovation with market pragmatism.

Question 5

5. Dr. W. Edwards Deming’s first point in his 14 point management method, often considered the birth of Total Quality Management (TCM)was which of the following?
   A. Establish a constancy of purpose plan.
   B. Improve constantly and forever for every system.
   C. Break down barriers between departments.
   D. Institute a vigorous program of education and self-improvement.

Answer 5

5. Answer: A - Deming’s first point in his 14 points was to establish a constancy of purpose plan. A constancy of purpose means to constantly change and evolve with customer expectation changes, product changes, and strategy changes. Deming concluded that for an organization to maintain constancy of purpose they needed to do four things: Be active in innovation, promote research and education, continuously improve products and services, and invest in the maintenance of equipment and production aids.

Question 6

6. The lean culture should focus on results. Which factor will have the greatest impact on employees in terms of results?
   A. Seeing management begin a 55 activity in their office area.
   B. Practicing an emergency evacuation.
   C. Changing the belt on a motor.
   D. Taking additional break or rest periods.

Answer 6

6. Answer: A - In a lean culture, the factor that would have the greatest impact on employees in terms of results would be for the employees to see management begin a 5S activity in their office area. This shows humility, a desire to see improvement, and the action of doing what you say and saying what you do.

Question 7

7. In the focus on waste elimination, which of the following is the progressive achievement of tasks along the value stream with no stoppages, scrap, or backflows?
   A. A pull system.
   B. The value chain.
   C. Flow of the process.
   D. The value stream.

Answer 7

7. Answer: C - Flow of the process is the progressive achievement of tasks along the value stream with no stoppages, scrap, or backflows. The concepts of value chain, flow, pull, and perfection are used to eliminate waste through kaizen, 5S, error-proofing, and value-stream mapping.

Question 8

8. One of the main principles in a consistent lean enterprise is a focus on value to the customer. The goal is to provide perfect value to a customer though a perfect value creation process. Where should waste be eliminated in processes?
   A. Eliminate waste at the beginning of the process.
   B. Eliminate waste along entire value streams.
   C. Eliminate waste at the end of the process.
   D. Eliminate waste at the supplier level.

Answer 8

8. Answer: B - Waste should be eliminated along entire value streams to provide perfect value to a customer.

Question 9

9. Lean has two main components - continuous improvement and respect for people. Social responsibility aligns with respect for people and for the environment. Which of the following is the ISO definition of social responsibility?
   A. The responsibility of an organization to enhance the lives of citizens.
   B. The responsibility of an organization to reduce the impact of its processes on the environment.
   C. The responsibility of an organization to pursue environmentally sound contributions.
   D. The responsibility of an organization for the impacts of its decisions and activities on society and the environment.

Answer 9

9. Answer: D - The ISO definition of social responsibility is the responsibility of an organization for the impacts of its decisions and activities on society and the environment. The focus is on ethical behaviors that contribute to sustainable development, consider expectations of stakeholders, comply with applicable law, and are integrated throughout the organization and practiced in relationships.

Question 10

10. Enterprise thinking processes in a lean environment means that the leadership views all of the following principles as important
    EXCEPT:
    A. Eliminating steps that do not create value.
    B. Allowing customers to push value.
    C. Creation of customer value.
    D. Reaching a state of perfection.

Answer 10

10. Answer: B - Enterprise thinking processes in a lean environment means that the leadership values eliminating steps that do not create value, creation of customer value, and reaching a state of perfection as important. They would not allow customers to push value. Customers pull value from the next upstream activity.

Question 11

11. Lean production processes should be organized around flow.
    Which tool is best for performing this type of analysis?
    A. The 55 method.
    B. Error proofing.
    C. Quality function deployment.
    D. Value-stream mapping.

Answer 11

11. Answer: D - Lean production processes should be organized around flow, and the best tool for performing this type of analysis is value-stream mapping.
    A value stream is all of the actions required to change raw materials into a product delivered to the customer. The map separates the value-added activities of a system from the non-value-added activities. The non-value-added activities are opportunities for possible improvement within the system. The value stream shows the process flow from order to delivery.

Question 12

12. The integration of business systems and improvement systems will be successful if which of the following occurs?
    A. Leadership provides strong support.
    B. Consideration is given only to a few aspects of the change process.
    C. Teams are not required to meet.
    D. Only management drives the initiative.

Answer 12

12. Answer: A - The integration of business systems and improvement systems will be successful if leadership provides strong support. Other support mechanisms for successful integration are the articulation of a clear vision, respect stakeholder collaboration, and formal engaged teams.

Question 13

13. Which of the following examples is NOT a system that requires a reconciled reporting system?
    A. Lean ordering systems.
    B. Lean purchasing systems.
    C. Lean accounting systems.
    D. Lean invoicing systems.

Answer 13

13. Answer: A - Lean ordering systems are not a system that requires a reconciled reporting system. Lean ordering is facilitated by the lean purchasing system, which is controlled by Kanban controlled inventory.
    Lean accounting is a streamlined method of accounting practices, and lean invoicing quickly reconciles invoices to receivables and posts them to the accounts payable.

Question 14

14. Successful lean requires adequate information management.
    Which of the following examples most closely relates to the idea that a manager needs to know what to do in the next 30 minutes based on what happened in the last 30 minutes?
    A. The value stream should be scheduled end to end.
    B. Information should be sent in small, routine batches.
    C. Information should be intuitive.
    D. Every process should be capable for information capture.

Answer 14

14. Answer: B - That information should be sent in small, routine batches most closely relates to the idea that a manager needs to know what to do in the next 30 minutes based on what happened in the last 30minutes. In information management, most data retrieval is performed in batches over periods of time such as by shift, daily, or weekly. To be effective, information should be sent in small, routine batches.

Question 15

15. Policy deployment in the lean environment is crucial because?
    A. It provides rules for operation.
    B. It dynamically links strategy with actionable items or plans.
    C. It is the foundation for strategic planning.
    D. It promotes learning.

Answer 15

15. Answer: B - Policy deployment in the lean environment is crucial because it dynamically links strategy with actionable items or plans. Policy deployment in a lean system sets the goals and behavioral expectations for the organization.

Question 16

16. An organization is evaluating their lean enterprise alignment under the guiding principles of creating a constancy of purpose and thinking systematically. The following tools are used for enterprise alignment with the EXCEPTION of which?
    A. Business models.
    B. A mission statement.
    C. Daily management standard work sheets.
    D. Control boards.

Answer 16

16. Answer: D - Control boards are not used as an enterprise alignment tool; they are a business results tool under dimension four. Business models, a mission statement, daily management standard work sheets, surveys, and meetings are all examples of enterprise alignment tools.

Question 17

17. The DMAIC methodology uses scientific thinking as a strategy process. Which example below shows using scientific thinking in problem solving?
    A. Determining Y = f(x) using statistical analysis.
    B. Developing p control charts.
    C. Developing a data collection plan.
    D. Developing a process map.

Answer 17

17. Answer: A - Determining Y = f(x) using statistical analysis shows using
    scientific thinking in problem solving. The control charts, data collection plans, and process maps do not require scientific thinking to produce the results.

Question 18

18. Nested experiments are those which have concurrent or cascading requirements to complete. Hoshin teams are a good example of nested experiments because of what?
    A. They facilitate periodic improvements with significant impact.
    B. They combine tactical and operational experiments.
    C. They encompass long and short term goals.
    D. They have seven types of PDCA cycles nested one within the other.

Answer 18

18. Answer: D - Hoshin teams are a good example of nested experiments because they utilize seven types of PDCA cycles nested one within the other.
    The result of each nested experiment leads to or incorporates the results of the next experiment, thereby nesting or linking the experiments in one another.

Question 19

19. In order to help build a consistent lean enterprise, a project team is building consensus by performing a benchmarking activity to reduce disagreement in measures. Benchmarking can be defined as all of the following EXCEPT?
    A. A standard of excellence against which organizations are measured.
    B. The act of searching out superior performance of like organizations.
    C. The comparison of an individual organization to a set of industry standards and then against another organization’s performance
    D. A standardized process of measuring your organization’s performance compared to performance in the best in class organizations.

Answer 19

19. Answer: C - Benchmarking can be defined as all of the following except the comparison of an individual organization to a set of industry standards and then against another organization’s performance. The comparison is made organization to organization.

Question 20

20. Multivoting is used by teams to narrow a large list of possibilities for solutions to a smaller list of the top priorities or to a final selection. Which of these choices is NOT an application for multivoting?
    A. When a list of choices must be narrowed down.
    B. When a team has begun a fishbone diagram.
    C. After brainstorming has been used to generate a list of possibilities.
    D. When the decision must be made using group judgment.

Answer 20

20. Answer: B - A fishbone diagram is not an application to use for multivoting. Multivoting is used after the fishbone diagram has been completed and uses the information it develops.

Question 21

21. The alignment of strategies and the ultimate execution rely on the creation of the constancy of purpose within the organization.
    Which enterprise-supporting concept explains that an organization will focus on safety, quality, and delivery in spans of 20 to 50 years?
    A. Thinking systematically.
    B. Focusing on the long term.
    C. Standardized daily management.
    D. Alignment of systems.

Answer 21

21. Answer: B - The focus on long-term is an enterprise-supporting concept which ensures that an organization will focus on safety, quality, and delivery in spans of 20 to 50 years. A legacy focus reduces knee-jerk reactions and provides foundation stability.

Question 22

22. Standard work for strategy communication involves determining urgency and complexity of communication. Communication protocols sort communication by which of the following?
    A. High, medium, and low.
    B. Primary, secondary, and tertiary.
    C. Written, email, or phone.
    D. Urgent, restricted, or advanced.

Answer 22

22. Answer: A - Communication protocols sort communication by high, medium, and low. This allows for a standard response for each level of service.

Question 23

23. Which customer contact method would be used if a green belt wanted to confirm theories developed from other forms of customer contact?
    A. Telephone interview.
    B. Focus group.
    C. Face-to-face interview.
    D. Survey form.

Answer 23

23. Answer: D - If a green belt wanted to confirm theories developed from other forms of customer contact they would use the survey form of customer contact method.

Question 24

24. Stability of a process relies on managers developing systems to understand metrics and is a supporting concept of aligning systems.
    Which of the following is a type of line graph used to assess the stability of a process?
    A. Ishikawa diagram
    B. Check sheet.
    C. Infinity diagram.
    D. Control chart.

Answer 24

24. Answer: D - A control chart is a type of line graph used to assess the stability of a process.

Question 25

25. Using the lean system of catchball, who can participate in a catchball process?
    A. Only those who “touch” the process.
    B. Leadership for the organization.
    C. Stakeholders for the project.
    D. Anyone needing to provide input.

Answer 25

25. Answer: D - Anyone needing to provide input can participate in a catchball process. The catchball process begins by telling project stakeholders and team members about the purpose and objectives of a project then “throws” the ideas to other stakeholders for feedback, comment, or action.

Question 26

26. When deploying a project, which action category below would
    “ensuring the project will meet the business needs of the organization” fit into?
    A. Managing upwards.
    B. Team management.
    C. Project charter development.
    D. Process improvement tools.

Answer 26

26. Answer: A - When deploying a project, “ensuring the project will meet the business needs of the organization” would be categorized as managing upwards.

Question 27

27. The instrument which describes the responsibilities of management and staff in terms of the organizational structure, responsibilities, planning, implementing, and assessment of quality activities would best be described as which of the following?
    A. Quality Improvement Plan.
    B. Quality Management Plan.
    C. Administration Activities Plan
    D. SWOT analysis.

Answer 27

27. Answer: B - The instrument which describes the responsibilities of management and staff in terms of the organizational structure, responsibilities, planning, implementing, and assessment of quality activities would best be described as the Quality Management Plan.
28. Answer: C - Reviewing documentation of the activities involved in the measure would be the BEST method to develop training materials for issues in performance. This would show if there were any gaps in the performance which required training.

Question 28

28. Which of the following would be the BEST method to develop training materials for issues in performance?
    A. Develop a training team.
    B. Only use trained consultants.
    C. Review documentation of the activities involved in the measure.
    D. Review similar case studies.

Answer 28

28. Answer: C - Reviewing documentation of the activities involved in the measure would be the BEST method to develop training materials for issues in performance. This would show if there were any gaps in the performance which required training.

Question 29

29. The Kano model is used to understand the customers’ needs and combines two elements: achievement, which is annotated on the horizontal axis, and satisfaction, which is annotated on the vertical axis. Under the Kano model, which level of needs keeps a supplier in the market?
    A. Exciting needs of the customer.
    B. Expected needs of the customer.
    C. Normal needs of the customer.
    D. None of the above.

Answer 29

29. Answer: C - Under the Kano model, a normal level of needs by the customer keeps a supplier in the market. Expected needs gets a supplier into the market and exciting needs make a supplier a leader in the market.

Question 30

30. The deployment of lean within an organization would include all of the components listed EXCEPT:
    A. Developing project teams and selecting projects.
    B. Training employees and ensuring cultural awareness.
    C. Reorganizing the warehouse.
    D. Spreading knowledge of projects and activities.

Answer 30

30. Answer: C - The reorganizing of the warehouse would not necessarily indicate the deployment of lean within an organization. Developing project teams and selecting projects, training employees and ensuring cultural awareness, and spreading knowledge of projects and activities would indicate deployment.

Question 31

31. In enterprise deployment a house of quality may be used to determine what is important both internally to the customer, and externally with competitors. In a house of quality matrix the horizontal features are the what?
    A. The Design Features.
    B. The Customers Voice.
    C. Baseline measurements.
    D. Relationship measurements.

Answer 31

31. Answer: B - In a house of quality matrix the horizontal features are the customer’s voice. Vertical features show quality measures and relationships.

Question 32

32. In enterprise alignment, using advanced statistical methods to explore correlation and multivariate relationships would be indicative of what?
    A. Analyze activities of the DMAIC.
    B. Benchmarking activities.
    C. Define activities of the DMAIC.
    D. Project management.

Answer 32

32. Answer: A - Using advanced statistical methods to explore correlation and multivariate relationships would be indicative of the Analyze activities of the DMAIC. Understanding the relationships of the data improves enterprise alignment by using scientific thinking.

Question 33

33. A project team is working on a chemical treatment analysis and a conflict has developed about the solution. Communication has become an issue. What should the team leader do?
    A. Ask the project champion’s opinion on the situation.
    B. Use team problem solving tools to determine the course of action.
    C. Take a team vote on the solution.
    D. Remove the individual from the team and request a replacement.

Answer 33

33. Answer: B - If a project team is working on a chemical treatment analysis and a conflict has developed about the solution, the team leader should use team problem solving tools to determine the course of action.

Question 34

34. Deming created his “System of Profound Knowledge,” with the thought that approximately 15% of poor quality was because of workers and 85% was due to bad management, systems, or processes. He based the system on four parts. Which of the following parts is not part of his system?
    A. Psychology of a system.
    B. Elimination of a system.
    C. Knowledge of variation.
    D. A theory of knowledge.

Answer 34

34. Answer: B - Deming created his “System of Profound Knowledge” with the thought that approximately 15% of poor quality was because of workers and 85% was due to bad management, systems, or processes. He based the system on four parts, which include appreciation for a system, psychology, theory of knowledge, and knowledge of variation. Elimination of a system is incorrect.

Question 35

35. Under lean methodology, the set of specific actions required to bring a product from concept to completion is called what?
    A. The value stream.
    B. The elimination theory.
    C. The methodology.
    D. The process map.

Answer 35

35. Answer: A - Under lean methodology, the set of specific actions required to bring a product from concept to completion is called the value stream.

Question 36

36. Accomplishing quality management functions requires a quality management system to guide improvement activities. All of the following are variables that affect the quality framework EXCEPT:
    A. Size of the organization.
    B. Available resources.
    C. Age of the organization.
    D. The type of organization.

Answer 36

36. Answer: C - The age of the organization is not a variable which affects the quality framework. The level of quality is independent from the age of the organization, but dependent on experience and competency.

Question 37

37. The organizational structure must support quality. Which of these would be a barrier to the quality structure of an organization?
    A. Building a hierarchy.
    B. Building a team-based organization.
    C. Using steering committees.
    D. Focusing on key processes.

Answer 37

37. Answer: A - Building a hierarchy would be a barrier to the quality structure of an organization. Organizations should work to reduce hierarchies, build a team-based organization, use steering committees, and focus on key processes

Question 38

38. Quality improvement study design and analysis related to projects includes all of the following activities EXCEPT:
    A. Education of staff.
    B. Development of change.
    C. Collection of data.
    D. Development of strategic goals.

Answer 38

38. Answer: D - Quality improvement study design and analysis related to projects includes education of staff, collection of data, and development of change, but not development of strategic goals.

Question 39

39. Using statistical techniques to measure variability, which of the following is the correct definition for an interquartile range for an interpercentile range?
    A. Only middle cases are used.
    B. Extreme scores are excluded.
    C. Extreme scores are excluded, only middle cases are used, and measures are lined up according to size
    D. Measures are lined up according to size.

Answer 39

39. Answer: C - Using statistical techniques to measure variability, the correct definition for an interquartile range for an interpercentile range is that extreme scores are excluded, only middle cases are used, and measures are lined up according to size.

Question 40

40. Which of the following is NOT a system that drives behavior to promote enterprise alignment?
    A. Stabilizing processes.
    B. Reporting and accountability.
    C. Information technology.
    D. Strategy deployment

Answer 40

40. Answer: A - Stabilizing processes is not a system that drives behavior to promote enterprise alignment. Stabilizing processes is a guiding principle of Dimension 2 under continuous process improvement.