Vocabulary Flashcards
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.
5 Ms and 1 P
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.
attribute data
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.
bell-shaped curve
A Six Sigma practitioner with the most training who acts as
black belt
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.
champion
A document that serves as a problem statement defining the Six Sigma project target.
charter
A source of variation that is normal and expected. Common cause variation is predictable and cannot be traced back to a single source.
common cause variation
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.
continuous data
The belief that an organization must constantly measure the effectiveness of its processes and strive to meet more difficult objectives to satisfy customers.
continuous improvement
Specific, measurable characteristics of a product or process that are identified by customers as necessary for their satisfaction.
critical to quality
The actual time it takes to perform a task and forward it to the next step.
cycle time
Factual information, usually in the form of numbers, that is used for analysis and problem solving.
data
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.
discrete data
Six Sigma’s five steps for process improvement. DMAIC stands for define, measure, analyze, improve, and control.
DMAIC
An outside organization or individual that receives a product or service from the company.
external customer
An outside organization or individual that receives a product or service from the company.
finish grinding
A systematic method of showing the number of occurrences of observational data in order from least to greatest. Frequency distributions best represent continuous data.
frequency distribution
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.
go-no go gage
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.
green belt
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.
ISO 9000
An approach to production and distribution that emphasizes flexible processes and reduced inventories to decrease costs and improve responsiveness.
just-in-time manufacturing
An approach to manufacturing that seeks to improve product quality and productivity, reduce cost, and eliminate waste.
lean manufacturing
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.
master black belt
Activities that do not contribute to the product or the process and should therefore be eliminated. Non-value added steps are waste.
non-value added
A bar chart that shows the order of the most frequently occurring errors or sources of errors. Pareto charts best represent discrete data.
A bar chart that shows the order of the most frequently occurring errors or sources of errors. Pareto charts best represent discrete data.
A bar chart that shows the order of the most frequently occurring errors or sources of errors. Pareto charts best represent discrete data.
Pie chart
A graphical method of capturing the steps of a process. Process mapping can be performed before and after a process is improved.
process mapping
A temporary designation for the person responsible for process design and performance. Green belts are sometimes considered process owners.
process owner
A process improvement method that focuses on increasing customer satisfaction at a reasonable cost to the company.
quality management
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.
root cause analysis
A graphic representation of process performance data tracked over time. Run charts best represent continuous data.
run chart
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.
Six Sigma
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.
special cause variation
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.
statistical process control
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.
total quality management
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.
value-added
A difference between two or more similar things.
variation
Any thing or process that does not add value to a product. Waste is often tied to special causes of variation.
waste
A designation for other staff members who help with Six Sigma projects.
yellow belt
