CPS Technology & Tools 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which process mapping tool is best suited for identifying value-added versus non-value-added steps in a workflow?
- Fishbone diagram
- Value stream map (Correct answer)
- Control chart
- Affinity diagram
Correct answer: Value stream map
Value stream maps distinguish value-added from non-value-added activities and visualize flow of materials and information.
Question 2: A process analyst uses a swimlane diagram. What primary information does this tool communicate?
- Variation over time
- Responsibility for each process step across departments (Correct answer)
- Root causes of defects
- Statistical process capability
Correct answer: Responsibility for each process step across departments
Swimlane diagrams (cross-functional flowcharts) display which department or role is responsible for each step.
Question 3: In process management software, what does a 'process repository' primarily store?
- Raw production data
- Documented and versioned process models (Correct answer)
- Employee performance metrics
- Customer complaint records
Correct answer: Documented and versioned process models
A process repository centrally stores, versions, and manages documented process models for organizational reference.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes robotic process automation (RPA) in process improvement?
- Physical robots replacing assembly line workers
- Software bots automating repetitive rule-based digital tasks (Correct answer)
- AI systems making complex business decisions
- Machine learning models predicting process failures
Correct answer: Software bots automating repetitive rule-based digital tasks
RPA uses software bots to automate structured, repetitive, rule-based digital tasks without changing underlying systems.
Question 5: A team needs to visualize the sequence of steps and decision points in a new billing process. Which tool is most appropriate?
- Histogram
- Process flowchart (Correct answer)
- Scatter diagram
- Run chart
Correct answer: Process flowchart
Process flowcharts map sequential steps and decision points, making them ideal for documenting billing workflows.
Question 6: What is the purpose of using a RACI matrix in conjunction with process documentation?
- To track defect counts by category
- To define roles and responsibilities for process activities (Correct answer)
- To measure cycle time efficiency
- To prioritize improvement opportunities by impact
Correct answer: To define roles and responsibilities for process activities
A RACI matrix assigns Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed roles to each process activity.
Question 7: Which technology enables real-time monitoring of key process indicators by aggregating data from multiple systems into a single view?
- Business process management (BPM) dashboard (Correct answer)
- Fishbone diagram software
- 7QC tools suite
- Statistical sampling application
Correct answer: Business process management (BPM) dashboard
BPM dashboards aggregate data from multiple sources to provide real-time visibility into key process performance indicators.
CPS Technology & Tools 2
Which process mapping tool is best suited for identifying value-added versus non-value-added steps in a workflow?