CMS Quality Control & Assurance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a pre-control chart?
- Detecting shifts in process mean using subgroup averages
- Providing a quick setup check without requiring historical data (Correct answer)
- Monitoring attribute data on variable sample sizes
- Calculating process capability after production runs
Correct answer: Providing a quick setup check without requiring historical data
Pre-control uses color zones derived from specification limits to verify a process is acceptable at startup without needing baseline statistics.
Question 2: A gage R&R study reveals that %GRR is 28%. What action is most appropriate?
- Accept the measurement system as capable for all uses
- Consider the system marginally acceptable; review for critical applications (Correct answer)
- Immediately replace the gauge with a more precise one
- Expand the specification limits to accommodate gauge variation
Correct answer: Consider the system marginally acceptable; review for critical applications
Industry guidelines classify %GRR of 10–30% as marginally acceptable, requiring judgment based on application criticality and costs.
Question 3: Which document formally describes the quality-related activities, resources, and responsibilities for a specific product or project?
- Quality manual
- Quality plan (Correct answer)
- Control plan
- Inspection procedure
Correct answer: Quality plan
A quality plan specifies quality practices, resources, and activities tailored to a particular product, project, or contract.
Question 4: In the DMAIC problem-solving methodology, the 'Analyze' phase primarily focuses on:
- Establishing project scope and baseline metrics
- Identifying and verifying root causes of defects (Correct answer)
- Implementing and piloting solutions
- Confirming financial benefits and closing the project
Correct answer: Identifying and verifying root causes of defects
The Analyze phase uses data and statistical tools to identify and validate the root causes that drive the problem identified in Define/Measure.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a Control Plan in manufacturing?
- Document employee training requirements for quality tasks
- Define inspection frequency, methods, and reaction plans for key process characteristics (Correct answer)
- List all raw material suppliers and their certifications
- Set monthly quality cost budget targets
Correct answer: Define inspection frequency, methods, and reaction plans for key process characteristics
A Control Plan outlines the process characteristics to monitor, measurement methods, sample sizes, frequencies, and required reactions to out-of-control conditions.
Question 6: Which acceptance sampling standard is most widely used for attribute inspection by the US military and many industries?
- ANSI/ASQ Z1.9
- MIL-STD-1916
- ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 (Correct answer)
- ISO 2859-1
Correct answer: ANSI/ASQ Z1.4
ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 (formerly MIL-STD-105) is the predominant attribute acceptance sampling standard defining AQL-based single, double, and multiple sampling plans.
Question 7: When a control chart shows a non-random pattern of seven consecutive points all above the centerline, this is called:
- A trend
- A run (Correct answer)
- Stratification
- Mixture
Correct answer: A run
Seven or more consecutive points on one side of the centerline constitute a 'run,' signaling a likely shift in process mean.
CMS Quality Control & Assurance 3
Which of the following best describes the purpose of a pre-control chart?