Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Six Sigma Fundamentals 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes a 'defect' in Six Sigma terminology?
- Any step in a process that takes longer than expected
- A product or service that fails to meet customer specifications (Correct answer)
- A measurement that falls outside the control chart limits
- Any process that has not been documented
Correct answer: A product or service that fails to meet customer specifications
In Six Sigma, a defect is defined as any output that fails to meet the customer's requirements or specifications. This definition keeps the focus on customer value rather than internal standards.
Question 2: What does 'sigma level' measure in a Six Sigma process?
- The speed at which a process completes
- The number of employees involved in a process
- The capability of a process to produce defect-free output (Correct answer)
- The total cost of quality inspections
Correct answer: The capability of a process to produce defect-free output
Sigma level is a statistical measure of process capability — specifically how well a process performs relative to its specification limits. A higher sigma level means fewer defects per million opportunities.
Question 3: In the DMAIC framework, during which phase are root causes of a problem identified?
- Define
- Measure
- Analyze (Correct answer)
- Control
Correct answer: Analyze
The Analyze phase is where teams use statistical tools and cause-and-effect analysis to identify the root causes of defects or process variation, moving beyond symptoms to underlying issues.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a 'baseline measurement' in Six Sigma?
- To set the final performance target after improvement
- To document the current process performance before changes are made (Correct answer)
- To calculate the cost of implementing a solution
- To identify which team members need additional training
Correct answer: To document the current process performance before changes are made
A baseline measurement captures the current state of process performance before any improvements are applied. It provides a reference point to objectively evaluate whether changes made during the Improve phase are effective.
Question 5: Which Six Sigma concept refers to any activity that consumes resources but does not add value for the customer?
- Variation
- Waste (Correct answer)
- Throughput
- Rework
Correct answer: Waste
Waste (also called 'muda' in Lean) refers to activities or steps that consume time, money, or resources without creating value for the customer. Eliminating waste is central to both Lean and Six Sigma improvement efforts.
Question 6: A process operating at Six Sigma quality produces approximately how many defects per million opportunities (DPMO)?
- 3.4 (Correct answer)
- 66,807
- 233
- 1,350
Correct answer: 3.4
A Six Sigma process produces approximately 3.4 defects per million opportunities (DPMO), accounting for a 1.5 sigma shift in the process mean over time. This extremely low defect rate is the benchmark goal of Six Sigma.
Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Six Sigma Fundamentals 1
Which of the following best describes a 'defect' in Six Sigma terminology?