Operations & Process Management Flashcards

A process has a sigma level of 6. Approximately how many defects per million opportunities does this represent (using the standard 1.5 sigma shift)?

Answer: 3.4

Six Sigma corresponds to about 3.4 defects per million opportunities.

In a value stream map, which activity is classified as non-value-added but currently necessary?

Answer: Regulatory compliance inspection

Required compliance steps add no customer value but cannot be eliminated without consequences.

What does the 'Control' phase of DMAIC primarily aim to do?

Answer: Sustain improvements through monitoring and standardization

Control locks in gains with monitoring plans, standard work, and response plans.

Which scheduling approach levels production volume and mix over time to reduce unevenness?

Answer: Heijunka

Heijunka is production leveling that smooths volume and variety.

Cycle time differs from lead time in that lead time:

Answer: Covers the full span from order to delivery, including waits

Lead time spans request to delivery including queues, while cycle time is the active work time per unit.

Which of the following is a leading indicator of operational performance?

Answer: Employee training hours completed

Training hours are a predictive input measure, whereas the others are lagging results.

A fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram is mainly used to:

Answer: Organize potential causes of a problem by category

Fishbone diagrams group possible causes into categories such as people, methods, machines, and materials.