Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Define Phase Concepts 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a Define phase tollgate review, the sponsor asks whether the project is linked to organizational strategy. Which section of the project charter best addresses this?
- Team roster
- Business case (Correct answer)
- Milestone schedule
- Data collection plan
Correct answer: Business case
The business case explicitly connects the project to strategic priorities, financial impact, or organizational objectives.
Question 2: A Green Belt uses an Affinity Diagram after gathering VOC feedback. What is the MOST appropriate next step with this grouped information?
- Immediately develop a solution
- Use a CTQ tree to translate themes into measurable requirements (Correct answer)
- Begin root cause analysis
- Develop a control chart baseline
Correct answer: Use a CTQ tree to translate themes into measurable requirements
After grouping VOC themes, a CTQ tree helps drill down from broad needs to specific, measurable quality characteristics.
Question 3: Which component of SIPOC is represented by the group that provides materials, information, or resources that enter the process?
- Process
- Inputs
- Suppliers (Correct answer)
- Customers
Correct answer: Suppliers
In SIPOC, Suppliers are the entities that provide inputs; they can be internal (another department) or external (vendors).
Question 4: Which scenario BEST illustrates 'scope creep' in a Lean Six Sigma project?
- The team uses a new statistical tool not listed in the charter
- The team begins addressing a related problem outside the original project boundaries (Correct answer)
- The sponsor requests a different milestone format
- The team replaces one team member with another
Correct answer: The team begins addressing a related problem outside the original project boundaries
Scope creep occurs when the project boundaries expand beyond what was defined in the charter without formal approval.
Question 5: A project team is developing a high-level process map. At minimum, how many process steps does a SIPOC typically display?
- 2-3 steps
- 4-7 steps (Correct answer)
- 10-15 steps
- 20 or more steps
Correct answer: 4-7 steps
A SIPOC typically shows 4 to 7 high-level process steps to maintain a macro perspective without getting into detailed sub-steps.
Question 6: What type of VOC data collection method involves observing customers using a product or service in their natural environment without interference?
- Focus group
- Survey
- Gemba walk / ethnographic observation (Correct answer)
- Complaint analysis
Correct answer: Gemba walk / ethnographic observation
Ethnographic observation or Gemba walks allow researchers to see actual customer behavior in real context, revealing unarticulated needs.
Question 7: A Green Belt is defining the problem and writes: 'The procurement team is too slow.' Why is this an ineffective problem statement?
- It does not mention the project team members
- It is too long and detailed
- It assigns blame and lacks quantifiable performance data (Correct answer)
- It does not include the project sponsor's name
Correct answer: It assigns blame and lacks quantifiable performance data
Effective problem statements are objective and quantifiable; assigning blame (e.g., 'team is too slow') and lacking metrics makes it ineffective.
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Define Phase Concepts 4
During a Define phase tollgate review, the sponsor asks whether the project is linked to organizational strategy.
Which section of the project charter best addresses this?