Free Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering Total Quality Management Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: The whole system's dependability is referred to as .

System reliability (Correct answer)
Closed reliability
Partial reliability
Isolated reliability

Correct answer: System reliability

System reliability refers to the overall probability that an entire system, composed of multiple interconnected components, will perform its intended function for a specified period under defined conditions. It considers the combined effect of all components on the system's ability to operate successfully. This term encompasses the dependability of the whole operational unit.

Question 2: As the number of components rises, system dependability for series-connected components deteriorates.

Decreases (Correct answer)
Increases
Remains unchanged
Cannot be determined

Correct answer: Decreases

In a series-connected system, all components must function correctly for the entire system to operate. If even one component fails, the entire system fails. Therefore, as the number of components in a series increases, the probability of at least one component failing rises, which consequently leads to a decrease in the overall system reliability.

Question 3: As the number of components rises, system reliability for parallel-running components decreases.

Remains unchanged
Increases (Correct answer)
Decreases
Cannot be determined

Correct answer: Increases

In a parallel-running system, redundancy is built in, meaning the system can continue to function as long as at least one of its parallel components is operational. The failure of a single component does not cause system failure. Consequently, as the number of parallel components increases, the likelihood of all components failing simultaneously decreases, thereby increasing the overall system reliability.

Question 4: The entire system will malfunction in a series configuration with five components if .

any four components fail
any one of the components fail (Correct answer)
any three components fail
any two components fail

Correct answer: any one of the components fail

In a series configuration, the entire system is dependent on every single component working correctly. If any one of the components in the series fails, the continuous path is broken, and the entire system will cease to function. This means there is no redundancy; a single point of failure brings down the whole system.

Question 5: The entire system will malfunction in a parallel configuration with five components if .

any one components fail
any two components fail
any three components fail
all the components fail (Correct answer)

Correct answer: all the components fail

In a parallel configuration, the system is designed with redundancy, meaning it can tolerate the failure of some components and still operate. For the entire system to malfunction, every single component connected in parallel must fail. As long as at least one component remains operational, the system continues to function.

Question 6: When a predetermined number of failures occur in the sample, the life-test sample plans are .

Sequential
Operation-terminated
Time-terminated
Failure-terminated (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Failure-terminated

Failure-terminated life-test sample plans are those where the test is concluded once a predetermined number of failures have been observed among the tested items. This approach focuses on collecting data on a specific number of failures, rather than running the test for a fixed duration, which is characteristic of time-terminated plans.

Question 7: What does the "bathtub curve" graph indicate?

Failure rate v/s Velocity
Failure rate v/s Distance
Failure rate v/s Time (Correct answer)
Failure rate v/s Mean

Correct answer: Failure rate v/s Time

The 'bathtub curve' is a widely recognized model in reliability engineering that illustrates the typical pattern of a product's failure rate over its lifespan. It plots the failure rate on the y-axis against time on the x-axis, showing three distinct phases: early failures (infant mortality), constant failure rate (useful life), and increasing failure rate (wear-out).

Question 8: A system consists of four interconnected components, two of which are reliable at 0.9 and the other two at 0.8 at the end of a year. At the end of a year, how reliable is the system?

0.5184 (Correct answer)
0.7
0.8
0.9

Correct answer: 0.5184

Assuming the four components are connected in series, the system reliability is calculated by multiplying the reliabilities of all individual components. Therefore, the system reliability = 0.9 (component 1) * 0.9 (component 2) * 0.8 (component 3) * 0.8 (component 4) = 0.5184. This calculation holds true because in a series system, all components must function for the system to succeed.

Question 9: Five robots work on a production line on a daily basis. What is the overall system reliability if each robot has a dependability of 0.95?

1
0.9
0.95
0.7737 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 0.7737

If the five robots are configured in series (meaning all must operate for the production line to function), the overall system reliability is the product of their individual reliabilities. With each robot having a reliability of 0.95, the system reliability is calculated as 0.95 raised to the power of 5 (0.95^5). This results in an overall system reliability of approximately 0.7737.

Question 10: What is the individual dependability of five robots in a production line if the system reliability is 0.95?

0.8143
0.9354
0.6535
0.9897 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 0.9897

If the five robots are in a series configuration and the overall system reliability is 0.95, then the individual reliability (R) of each robot can be found by taking the 5th root of the system reliability. So, R^5 = 0.95, which means R = (0.95)^(1/5). Calculating this yields an individual reliability of approximately 0.9897 for each robot.

Question 11: The Toyota Production System (TPS) was founded by who?

Taguchi
Crosby
Ohno (Correct answer)
Deming

Correct answer: Ohno

Taiichi Ohno is widely recognized as the principal architect of the Toyota Production System (TPS), which is the foundational methodology for lean manufacturing. He developed and implemented many of the core concepts, such as Just-in-Time (JIT) and Jidoka, during his tenure at Toyota, revolutionizing production methods.

Question 12: Testing for safety and inspection are two instances of Muda.

Type 1 (Correct answer)
Type 2
Type 3
Type 4

Correct answer: Type 1

In Lean manufacturing, Muda (waste) is categorized into two types. Type 1 Muda refers to non-value-adding activities that are currently necessary due to existing processes, technology, or regulations. Testing for safety and inspection, while not directly adding value from the customer's perspective, are often mandatory for product quality assurance and compliance, thus falling under Type 1 Muda.

Question 13: Which of the following expressions, among Ohno's seven categories of waste, views the transfer of goods between manufacturing processes as a costly, non-value-adding job that may also harm the product?

Excessive inventory
Transportation (Correct answer)
Waiting
Overproduction

Correct answer: Transportation

Ohno's seven categories of waste (Muda) include 'Transportation,' which refers to the unnecessary movement of materials, parts, or finished goods between processes. This waste adds no value to the product, consumes resources, increases lead times, and can lead to product damage, making it a costly and non-value-adding activity.

Question 14: Which of the following expressions, among Ohno's seven categories of waste, refers to the waiting period between two processes ending?

Excessive inventory
Transportation
Waiting (Correct answer)
Overproduction

Correct answer: Waiting

Among Ohno's seven categories of waste, 'Waiting' specifically refers to any period of inactivity where materials, information, or people are idle and not being processed. This includes waiting for machines, materials, or the completion of a preceding process, representing a direct loss of productive time and efficiency.

Question 15: Which of the following does not fall within Ohno's seven categories for waste?

Quality (Correct answer)
Inappropriate processing
Excess inventory
Unnecessary motion

Correct answer: Quality

Ohno's seven categories of waste (Muda) are Overproduction, Waiting, Unnecessary Transport, Over-processing, Excessive Inventory, Unnecessary Motion, and Defects (or Rework). While poor quality leads to defects, 'Quality' itself is not one of the seven wastes; rather, the *result* of poor quality, which is 'Defects,' is the specific waste category.

Question 16: Which of the following is a system of visual and/or auditory communication that signals when assistance or attention is required in a process?

Muda
Andon (Correct answer)
Poka-yoke
Benchmarking

Correct answer: Andon

Andon is a visual management system, often using lights or screens, that signals the status of a production line or process. It alerts workers and supervisors to problems, such as defects, equipment malfunctions, or delays, requiring immediate attention. This system empowers operators to stop the line if an issue arises, promoting quick problem-solving and quality control.

Free Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering Total Quality Management Questions and Answers

The whole system's dependability is referred to as .