Question 1

What are the various tools used in lean thinking?

Accepted Answer

Lean thinking uses a variety of tools:
1) The 5S's: derived from Japanese terms: seiri (sort), seiton (set in order), seiso (shine), seiketsu (standardize), and shitsuke (sustain).
2) Visual controls
3) Efficient layout and standardized work
4) Pull production
5) Single minute exchange of dies (SMED)
6) Total productive maintenance
7) Source inspection

Question 2

Briefly describe the DMAIC process in Six Sigma.

Accepted Answer

Six Sigma uses a systematic improvement approach known as DMAIC-Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control.
1) In the Define phase one must describe the problem in operational terms that facilitate further analysis.
2) The Measure phase of the DMAIC process focuses on how to measure the internal processes that impact critical to quality (CTQs) features. It requires an understanding of the causal relationships between process performance and customer value.
3) The Analyze phase of DMAIC focuses on why defects, errors, or excessive variation occur. Statistical thinking and analysis plays a critical role in this phase.
4) In the Improve phase, once the root cause of a problem is understood, the analyst or team needs to generate ideas for removing or resolving the problem and improve the performance measures and CTQs.
5) The Control phase focuses on how to maintain the improvements, which includes putting tools in place to ensure that the key variables remain within the maximum acceptable ranges under the modified process.

Question 3

The TQ ideal is to make a huge impact by improving a system, and thereby operate in the same "new and improved" manner for years to come.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 4

_____ is a technique for prioritizing types or sources of problems.

Accepted Answer

A)  Pareto analysis 
B)  Cause-and-effect diagram 
C)  Scatter diagram 
D)  Exploratory data analysis 
A)  Pareto analysis 
B)  Cause-and-effect diagram 
C)  Scatter diagram 
D)  Exploratory data analysis

Question 5

_____ is the search for best practices that will lead to superior performance.

Accepted Answer

A)  Benchmarking 
B)  Suboptimization 
C)  Anchoring 
D)  Alternative analysis 
A)  Benchmarking 
B)  Suboptimization 
C)  Anchoring 
D)  Alternative analysis

Question 6

Eliminating steps is the lean thinking principle that refers to the issue of errors every time a process is handed from one person or group to another.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

With respect to the terms used in 5S, seiso means _____.

Accepted Answer

A)  sort 
B)  shine 
C)  set in order 
D)  standardize 
A)  sort 
B)  shine 
C)  set in order 
D)  standardize

Question 8

Typically, the data for scatter diagrams are obtained from cause-and-effect diagrams.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Six Sigma is an alternate approach to lean production.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

The _____ phase of DMAIC focuses on why defects, errors, or excessive variation occur.

Accepted Answer

A)  control 
B)  analyze 
C)  define 
D)  measure 
A)  control 
B)  analyze 
C)  define 
D)  measure

Question 11

A simple way of defining lean thinking is "getting more done with less."

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

The most important ingredient for continuous improvement is an appropriate organizational culture.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Competitive benchmarking evaluates processes or business functions against the best companies, regardless of their industry.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

In a Pareto distribution, the characteristics are ordered:

Accepted Answer

A)  from largest frequency to smallest. 
B)  according to class intervals. 
C)  historically, from the earliest to the latest. 
D)  in a sequential manner based on the work-flow. 
A)  from largest frequency to smallest. 
B)  according to class intervals. 
C)  historically, from the earliest to the latest. 
D)  in a sequential manner based on the work-flow.

Question 15

_____ is a tool for involving all people from all ranks, levels, and functions of the organization for problem solving and improvement.

Accepted Answer

A)  Fishbone analysis 
B)  Work-out 
C)  Quincunx 
D)  Cause-and-effect diagram 
A)  Fishbone analysis 
B)  Work-out 
C)  Quincunx 
D)  Cause-and-effect diagram

Question 16

If a process is driven by an administrative logic such as cost accounting or functional specialization, it is ripe for reengineering.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

The term _____ refers to approaches that produce exceptional results, are usually innovative in terms of the use of technology or human resources, and are recognized by customers or industry experts.

Accepted Answer

A)  process mapping 
B)  suboptimization 
C)  best practices 
D)  anchoring 
A)  process mapping 
B)  suboptimization 
C)  best practices 
D)  anchoring

Question 18

Breakthrough improvement is often motivated by:

Accepted Answer

A)  benchmarking. 
B)  financial controls. 
C)  stretch goals. 
D)  Six Sigma objectives. 
A)  benchmarking. 
B)  financial controls. 
C)  stretch goals. 
D)  Six Sigma objectives.

Question 19

A pull production system is also known as _____.

Accepted Answer

A)  fishbone system 
B)  kaizen 
C)  kanban 
D)  Ishikawa system 
A)  fishbone system 
B)  kaizen 
C)  kanban 
D)  Ishikawa system

Question 20

The DMAIC approach used in Six Sigma is expanded as:

Accepted Answer

A)  Design, Monitor, Assess, Improve, and Compare. 
B)  Define, Modify, Apply, Increment, and Close. 
C)  Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. 
D)  Design, Measure, Analyze, Implement, and Cost. 
A)  Design, Monitor, Assess, Improve, and Compare. 
B)  Define, Modify, Apply, Increment, and Close. 
C)  Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control. 
D)  Design, Measure, Analyze, Implement, and Cost.

What are the various tools used in lean thinking?

Briefly describe the DMAIC process in Six Sigma.

The TQ ideal is to make a huge impact by improving a system, and thereby operate in the same "new and improved" manner for years to come.

_____ is a technique for prioritizing types or sources of problems.

_____ is the search for best practices that will lead to superior performance.

Eliminating steps is the lean thinking principle that refers to the issue of errors every time a process is handed from one person or group to another.

With respect to the terms used in 5S, seiso means _____.

Typically, the data for scatter diagrams are obtained from cause-and-effect diagrams.

Six Sigma is an alternate approach to lean production.

The _____ phase of DMAIC focuses on why defects, errors, or excessive variation occur.

A simple way of defining lean thinking is "getting more done with less."

The most important ingredient for continuous improvement is an appropriate organizational culture.

Competitive benchmarking evaluates processes or business functions against the best companies, regardless of their industry.

In a Pareto distribution, the characteristics are ordered:

_____ is a tool for involving all people from all ranks, levels, and functions of the organization for problem solving and improvement.

If a process is driven by an administrative logic such as cost accounting or functional specialization, it is ripe for reengineering.

The term _____ refers to approaches that produce exceptional results, are usually innovative in terms of the use of technology or human resources, and are recognized by customers or industry experts.

Breakthrough improvement is often motivated by:

A pull production system is also known as _____.

The DMAIC approach used in Six Sigma is expanded as:

Introduction to Quality and Performance Excellence

Frameworks for Quality and Performance Excellence

Tools and Techniques for Quality Design and Control

Competitive Advantage and Strategic Management for Performance Excellence

Quality in Customer Supplier Relationships

Designing Organizations for Performance Excellence

Quality Teamwork

Engagement, Empowerment, and Motivation

Leadership for Performance Excellence

Performance Excellence and Organizational Change

Filters

Exam 4: Tools and Techniques for Quality Improvement

What are the various tools used in lean thinking?

Briefly describe the DMAIC process in Six Sigma.

The TQ ideal is to make a huge impact by improving a system, and thereby operate in the same "new and improved" manner for years to come.

_____ is a technique for prioritizing types or sources of problems.

_____ is the search for best practices that will lead to superior performance.

Eliminating steps is the lean thinking principle that refers to the issue of errors every time a process is handed from one person or group to another.

With respect to the terms used in 5S, seiso means _____.

Typically, the data for scatter diagrams are obtained from cause-and-effect diagrams.

Six Sigma is an alternate approach to lean production.

The _____ phase of DMAIC focuses on why defects, errors, or excessive variation occur.

A simple way of defining lean thinking is "getting more done with less."

The most important ingredient for continuous improvement is an appropriate organizational culture.

Competitive benchmarking evaluates processes or business functions against the best companies, regardless of their industry.

In a Pareto distribution, the characteristics are ordered:

_____ is a tool for involving all people from all ranks, levels, and functions of the organization for problem solving and improvement.

If a process is driven by an administrative logic such as cost accounting or functional specialization, it is ripe for reengineering.

The term _____ refers to approaches that produce exceptional results, are usually innovative in terms of the use of technology or human resources, and are recognized by customers or industry experts.

Breakthrough improvement is often motivated by:

A pull production system is also known as _____.

The DMAIC approach used in Six Sigma is expanded as:

Introduction to Quality and Performance Excellence

Frameworks for Quality and Performance Excellence

Tools and Techniques for Quality Design and Control

Competitive Advantage and Strategic Management for Performance Excellence

Quality in Customer Supplier Relationships

Designing Organizations for Performance Excellence

Quality Teamwork

Engagement, Empowerment, and Motivation

Leadership for Performance Excellence

Performance Excellence and Organizational Change

Filters