Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) Flashcards
7 cards from real Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) flashcards as text
Which scenario would most appropriately call for a DFSS approach rather than a DMAIC approach?
Answer: A company launching a new medical device that must meet Six Sigma defect levels from day one
DFSS is appropriate when designing a new product or process that must achieve Six Sigma performance at launch; DMAIC is used when an existing process or product is underperforming and needs improvement.
The IDOV roadmap used in some DFSS implementations stands for:
Answer: Identify, Design, Optimize, Verify
IDOV stands for Identify (CTQs and customer requirements), Design (generate and select concepts), Optimize (use DOE and statistical methods to optimize), and Verify (validate performance against targets).
A Design Scorecard in DFSS is used to:
Answer: Track CTQ performance predictions against targets as the design evolves through each phase
A Design Scorecard is a living document that tracks how well the evolving design is predicted to meet each CTQ target, flagging gaps and guiding design decisions throughout the DFSS lifecycle.
Which of the following methods are most commonly used to gather Voice of the Customer (VOC) data in DFSS?
Answer: Customer surveys, interviews, focus groups, and direct observation
VOC is collected through direct customer engagement and observation methods — surveys, interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic observation — to capture both stated and unstated customer needs.
The Pugh Concept Selection Matrix in DFSS is used to:
Answer: Systematically compare multiple design alternatives against a reference using weighted criteria
The Pugh Matrix evaluates multiple design concepts against a reference design using ratings of better (+), worse (−), or same (S) across selection criteria, enabling objective, structured concept selection.
In DFSS reliability engineering, Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) represents:
Answer: The average elapsed operating time between successive failures for a repairable system
MTBF is the average time a repairable system operates between failures and is a fundamental reliability metric used in DFSS to set and verify design reliability targets.
In the Optimize phase of an IDOV or DMADV roadmap, a Black Belt applies Design of Experiments (DOE) primarily to:
Answer: Identify optimal design parameter settings that maximize CTQ performance and minimize sensitivity to noise
DOE in the Optimize phase systematically evaluates design factors and their interactions to identify settings that maximize CTQ performance while minimizing sensitivity to uncontrollable noise, achieving a robust design.