Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification The Define Phase 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes the difference between a 'defect' and a 'defective' in LSSYB Define terminology?
- A defect is a single nonconformance; a defective is a unit with one or more defects (Correct answer)
- A defect is a unit; a defective is a type of error
- A defective occurs in manufacturing only; a defect applies to services
- There is no meaningful difference between the two terms
Correct answer: A defect is a single nonconformance; a defective is a unit with one or more defects
A defect is any single instance of a failure to meet a requirement, while a defective is an entire unit that contains at least one defect.
Question 2: The 'elevator speech' for a Lean Six Sigma project is used to:
- Communicate the project's purpose and value quickly to any stakeholder (Correct answer)
- Present detailed statistical findings to leadership
- Train new team members on DMAIC methodology
- Obtain regulatory approval for process changes
Correct answer: Communicate the project's purpose and value quickly to any stakeholder
An elevator speech is a concise 30–60 second summary that lets team members explain the project's importance to anyone at any level.
Question 3: In Lean Six Sigma, which Define phase output formally authorizes the project team to begin using organizational resources?
- Signed Project Charter (Correct answer)
- SIPOC diagram
- VOC data collection plan
- Stakeholder communication plan
Correct answer: Signed Project Charter
The signed Project Charter is the official authorization document that grants the team permission to commit time, money, and resources to the project.
Question 4: A team discovers that the process they are improving crosses three different departments. This situation most affects which part of the Project Charter?
- Scope statement (Correct answer)
- Problem statement
- Goal statement
- Business case
Correct answer: Scope statement
A cross-departmental process expands the project scope and requires the scope statement to clearly define boundaries, handoffs, and inclusion/exclusion criteria.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of a 'Kano model delighter' identified during VOC collection?
- A hotel automatically upgrades a loyal customer's room without being asked (Correct answer)
- A hotel room that has a working thermostat
- A hotel that guarantees check-in by 3 PM
- A hotel that charges less than competitors
Correct answer: A hotel automatically upgrades a loyal customer's room without being asked
Delighters (exciters) are unexpected features that create strong positive reactions — customers don't ask for them but are thrilled when they receive them.
Question 6: During Define, the team creates a high-level project timeline. Which tool is most commonly used for this?
- Gantt chart (Correct answer)
- Pareto chart
- Control chart
- Spaghetti diagram
Correct answer: Gantt chart
A Gantt chart displays project tasks against a timeline, making it easy to plan milestones and track progress across the DMAIC phases.
Question 7: A Yellow Belt notices that the problem statement uses the phrase 'because the operators are not following procedures.' What is wrong with this statement?
- It assumes a cause before the Analyze phase has identified root causes (Correct answer)
- It is too short to be useful
- It does not mention the customer
- It should use statistical language instead
Correct answer: It assumes a cause before the Analyze phase has identified root causes
A problem statement must describe what is wrong and its impact, without attributing blame or assuming causes — that is the Analyze phase's job.
Which of the following best describes the difference between a 'defect' and a 'defective' in LSSYB Define terminology?