Vocabulary

Question 1

An expression identifying the six major factors most likely to be the source of problems. These factors are machines, materials, methods, Mother Nature, measurement, and people.

Answer 1

5 Ms and 1 P

Question 2

Data that represents an individual characteristic or a count. Also known as discrete data, attribute data cannot be added to or subtracted from other attribute data.

Answer 2

attribute data

Question 3

A graph of variable data characterized by a high center, tapered sides, and bell-flared edges. A bell-shaped curve reflects conditions that exhibit natural variation.

Answer 3

bell-shaped curve

Question 4

A Six Sigma practitioner with the most training who acts as

Answer 4

black belt

Question 5

A Six Sigma designation for an executive or manager within a company who can get things done for the team. Champions make sure that the team has necessary resources.

Answer 5

champion

Question 6

A document that serves as a problem statement defining the Six Sigma project target.

Answer 6

charter

Question 7

A source of variation that is normal and expected. Common cause variation is predictable and cannot be traced back to a single source.

Answer 7

common cause variation

Question 8

Data that can be measured on a scale and compared with other data. Also known as variable data, it can be added to or subtracted from other continuous data.

Answer 8

continuous data

Question 9

The belief that an organization must constantly measure the effectiveness of its processes and strive to meet more difficult objectives to satisfy customers.

Answer 9

continuous improvement

Question 10

Specific, measurable characteristics of a product or process that are identified by customers as necessary for their satisfaction.

Answer 10

critical to quality

Question 11

The actual time it takes to perform a task and forward it to the next step.

Answer 11

cycle time

Question 12

Factual information, usually in the form of numbers, that is used for analysis and problem solving.

Answer 12

data

Question 13

Data that represents an individual characteristic or a count. Also known as attribute data, discrete data cannot be added to or subtracted from other discrete data.

Answer 13

discrete data

Question 14

Six Sigma’s five steps for process improvement. DMAIC stands for define, measure, analyze, improve, and control.

Answer 14

DMAIC

Question 15

An outside organization or individual that receives a product or service from the company.

Answer 15

external customer

Question 16

An outside organization or individual that receives a product or service from the company.

Answer 16

finish grinding

Question 17

A systematic method of showing the number of occurrences of observational data in order from least to greatest. Frequency distributions best represent continuous data.

Answer 17

frequency distribution

Question 18

A measuring instrument that determines whether a part feature simply fits or does not fit and therefore passes or fails inspection. No effort is made to determine the exact degree of error.

Answer 18

go-no go gage

Question 19

A team member trained in Six Sigma who spends about 20% of his or her time on Six Sigma projects and about 80% on regular duties.

Answer 19

green belt

Question 20

A department or individual within the company that relies on others to satisfy the external customer. In a multi-step process, the next step in the process is always the internal customer.

Answer 20

ISO 9000

Question 21

An approach to production and distribution that emphasizes flexible processes and reduced inventories to decrease costs and improve responsiveness.

Answer 21

just-in-time manufacturing

Question 22

An approach to manufacturing that seeks to improve product quality and productivity, reduce cost, and eliminate waste.

Answer 22

lean manufacturing

Question 23

A hands-on Six-Sigma practitioner who works closely with other members to set and carry out project goals. Master black belts work full time on projects and coach lower-level team members.

Answer 23

master black belt

Question 24

Activities that do not contribute to the product or the process and should therefore be eliminated. Non-value added steps are waste.

Answer 24

non-value added

Question 25

A bar chart that shows the order of the most frequently occurring errors or sources of errors. Pareto charts best represent discrete data.

Answer 25

A bar chart that shows the order of the most frequently occurring errors or sources of errors. Pareto charts best represent discrete data.

Question 26

A bar chart that shows the order of the most frequently occurring errors or sources of errors. Pareto charts best represent discrete data.

Answer 26

Pie chart

Question 27

A graphical method of capturing the steps of a process. Process mapping can be performed before and after a process is improved.

Answer 27

process mapping

Question 28

A temporary designation for the person responsible for process design and performance. Green belts are sometimes considered process owners.

Answer 28

process owner

Question 29

A process improvement method that focuses on increasing customer satisfaction at a reasonable cost to the company.

Answer 29

quality management

Question 30

A study undertaken to find the first or underlying cause of a problem. Root cause analysis involves the collection and study of data to determine a true cause to a problem.

Answer 30

root cause analysis

Question 31

A graphic representation of process performance data tracked over time. Run charts best represent continuous data.

Answer 31

run chart

Question 32

A management philosophy and process improvement method that uses data to identify problems and point to improvements. Six Sigma’s goal is to reduce the number of defects to less than 3.4 defects per million opportunities, which is near perfection.

Answer 32

Six Sigma

Question 33

A source of variation that causes a fundamental change in a process. Special cause variation signals a change in a process and can be traced back to a single source.

Answer 33

special cause variation

Question 34

The use of statistics and control charts to measure key quality characteristics and control how the related process behaves. SPC separates special causes of variation from common causes.

Answer 34

statistical process control

Question 35

A management method popular in the 1980s and 1990s that was based on a list of improvement philosophies. The purpose was to bring about company-wide change and continuous improvement.

Answer 35

total quality management

Question 36

Data that can be measured on a scale and compared with other data. Also known as continuous data, it can be added to or subtracted from other variable data.

Answer 36

value-added

Question 37

A difference between two or more similar things.

Answer 37

variation

Question 38

Any thing or process that does not add value to a product. Waste is often tied to special causes of variation.

Answer 38

waste

Question 39

A designation for other staff members who help with Six Sigma projects.

Answer 39

yellow belt