Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification Basic 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of data is described as categorical and placed into distinct groups (e.g., pass/fail, yes/no)?
- Continuous data
- Variable data
- Attribute data (Correct answer)
- Quantitative data
Correct answer: Attribute data
Attribute data is discrete and categorizes items into groups such as pass/fail, good/bad, or defective/non-defective.
Question 2: The 'Analyze' phase of DMAIC is best described as:
- Implementing solutions to eliminate defects
- Identifying and verifying root causes of the problem (Correct answer)
- Sustaining gains through monitoring and control
- Collecting baseline performance data
Correct answer: Identifying and verifying root causes of the problem
In the Analyze phase, teams use data and tools to identify and confirm the root causes of process problems.
Question 3: Pull systems in Lean are designed to:
- Push products downstream based on a production schedule
- Produce only what is needed, when it is needed, based on actual demand (Correct answer)
- Maximize machine utilization at all times
- Eliminate the need for inventory buffers entirely
Correct answer: Produce only what is needed, when it is needed, based on actual demand
Pull systems trigger production based on actual downstream demand, reducing overproduction and excess inventory.
Question 4: A fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram categorizes potential causes typically under which common categories?
- Plan, Do, Check, Act
- People, Machine, Method, Material, Measurement, Environment (Correct answer)
- Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control
- Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, Customers
Correct answer: People, Machine, Method, Material, Measurement, Environment
Fishbone diagrams organize potential root causes into the 6M categories: Man, Machine, Method, Material, Measurement, and Mother Nature (Environment).
Question 5: Which metric represents the percentage of time a process produces a good product without any rework or repair?
- Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
- First Time Yield (FTY) or First Pass Yield (Correct answer)
- Defects Per Million Opportunities (DPMO)
- Process Cycle Efficiency (PCE)
Correct answer: First Time Yield (FTY) or First Pass Yield
First Time Yield (FTY) measures the percentage of units that pass through a process step correctly without rework on the first attempt.
Question 6: Standard work in Lean refers to:
- The minimum acceptable quality level agreed upon with the customer
- Documented best practices for performing a task consistently (Correct answer)
- A government regulation for workplace safety
- The average time it takes to complete a process
Correct answer: Documented best practices for performing a task consistently
Standard work documents the current best-known method for performing a task, providing a baseline for improvement.
Question 7: In a Pareto analysis, the 80/20 rule suggests that:
- 80% of the workforce causes 20% of the problems
- 80% of effects come from 20% of the causes (Correct answer)
- Projects should spend 80% of the time in planning
- 20% of customers generate 100% of revenue
Correct answer: 80% of effects come from 20% of the causes
The Pareto principle states that roughly 80% of problems or effects are caused by 20% of the causes, helping teams prioritize.
Which type of data is described as categorical and placed into distinct groups (e.g., pass/fail, yes/no)?