LMC Foundational Concepts & Principles 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes 'mura' in the Lean framework?
- Overburden placed on workers or machines
- Unevenness or irregularity in workload (Correct answer)
- Any activity that does not add customer value
- Excess inventory beyond immediate needs
Correct answer: Unevenness or irregularity in workload
Mura refers to unevenness or variability in production flow, which leads to waste and inefficiency.
Question 2: In Lean thinking, what is the primary purpose of a Value Stream Map (VSM)?
- To calculate the total cost of production
- To document employee roles and responsibilities
- To visualize the flow of materials and information to identify waste (Correct answer)
- To schedule daily production targets
Correct answer: To visualize the flow of materials and information to identify waste
A VSM provides a visual representation of all steps in a process to expose non-value-adding activities.
Question 3: The Lean principle of 'establish pull' is best illustrated by which scenario?
- A factory produces goods based on annual sales forecasts
- A supplier ships parts weekly regardless of consumption
- A downstream process signals upstream to produce only what is needed (Correct answer)
- A manager schedules overtime to build buffer stock
Correct answer: A downstream process signals upstream to produce only what is needed
Pull systems are triggered by actual downstream demand, preventing overproduction.
Question 4: Which Lean concept describes the total elapsed time from customer order to delivery?
- Takt time
- Lead time (Correct answer)
- Cycle time
- Pitch time
Correct answer: Lead time
Lead time measures the complete duration from when an order is placed until the customer receives it.
Question 5: What does the Lean principle of 'seek perfection' primarily encourage organizations to do?
- Achieve zero defects within a single project cycle
- Continuously eliminate waste through ongoing incremental improvement (Correct answer)
- Invest in the most advanced automation technology available
- Standardize processes and freeze them once optimal
Correct answer: Continuously eliminate waste through ongoing incremental improvement
Seeking perfection means Lean is never finished — organizations continuously identify and remove waste.
Question 6: In a Lean context, 'motion waste' refers to:
- Moving products between facilities unnecessarily
- Unnecessary physical movement by workers that does not add value (Correct answer)
- Defective products that must be reworked or scrapped
- Waiting time between process steps
Correct answer: Unnecessary physical movement by workers that does not add value
Motion waste involves unnecessary body movements such as bending, reaching, or walking that don't contribute to value.
Question 7: Which statement accurately distinguishes 'value-added' from 'non-value-added' activities in Lean?
- Value-added activities are those performed by managers; non-value-added are done by frontline workers
- Value-added activities transform the product in ways customers are willing to pay for; non-value-added do not (Correct answer)
- Value-added activities reduce cost; non-value-added activities increase revenue
- Value-added activities use automation; non-value-added activities rely on manual labor
Correct answer: Value-added activities transform the product in ways customers are willing to pay for; non-value-added do not
The customer's willingness to pay is the defining test — activities that change form, fit, or function of the product in ways customers value are value-added.
LMC Foundational Concepts & Principles 2
Which of the following best describes 'mura' in the Lean framework?