Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification Measure Phase Tools 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A data collection check sheet is most valuable because it:
- Automatically analyzes variation and calculates sigma level
- Provides a structured, consistent format for recording data at the source (Correct answer)
- Replaces the need for a measurement system analysis
- Identifies the critical-to-quality characteristics automatically
Correct answer: Provides a structured, consistent format for recording data at the source
Check sheets standardize how data is recorded in real time at the point of occurrence, reducing transcription errors and ensuring completeness.
Question 2: Which measure of dispersion is most sensitive to extreme values (outliers) in a dataset?
- Interquartile range (IQR)
- Range (Correct answer)
- Standard deviation
- Median absolute deviation
Correct answer: Range
The range uses only the maximum and minimum values, so a single extreme outlier can dramatically inflate it.
Question 3: When using an X-bar and R control chart, a 'run of eight' consecutive points on one side of the centerline indicates:
- Normal random variation within control limits
- A potential process shift or special cause requiring investigation (Correct answer)
- The process is perfectly centered and stable
- The measurement system is biased
Correct answer: A potential process shift or special cause requiring investigation
Eight or more consecutive points on one side of the centerline is a non-random pattern signaling a likely process shift, even if all points are within control limits.
Question 4: The 'voice of the process' (VOP) is best captured using:
- Customer surveys and focus groups
- Statistical process control charts and process capability data (Correct answer)
- SIPOC diagrams and stakeholder interviews
- Pareto charts of customer complaints
Correct answer: Statistical process control charts and process capability data
SPC charts and capability indices reflect how the process actually performs statistically, representing the voice of the process.
Question 5: Process cycle efficiency (PCE) is calculated as:
- Defects per million opportunities divided by total opportunities
- Value-added time divided by total lead time, expressed as a percentage (Correct answer)
- Total throughput divided by available production hours
- Number of defect-free units divided by total units inspected
Correct answer: Value-added time divided by total lead time, expressed as a percentage
PCE measures the proportion of lead time that adds value; a low PCE indicates significant waste in the form of waiting, rework, or transport.
Question 6: In Lean Six Sigma, 'DPMO' stands for:
- Defects Per Machine Operation
- Defects Per Million Opportunities (Correct answer)
- Daily Process Measurement Output
- Defect Probability Margin of Operations
Correct answer: Defects Per Million Opportunities
DPMO normalizes defect rates to a per-million-opportunities scale, enabling fair comparison across processes with different complexity levels.
Question 7: Which Measure phase activity directly feeds into calculating the baseline sigma level of a process?
- Drawing the process map and SIPOC diagram
- Collecting defect data and counting total defect opportunities (Correct answer)
- Conducting a Gage R&R study to validate the measurement system
- Interviewing customers to identify critical-to-quality requirements
Correct answer: Collecting defect data and counting total defect opportunities
Baseline sigma level is calculated from actual defect counts and the total number of defect opportunities, requiring real process performance data.
Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification Measure Phase Tools 5
A data collection check sheet is most valuable because it: