Deck 4: Tools and Techniques for Quality Improvement

Question 1

Flowcharts are best developed by a third-party analyst.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

The Deming Cycle is composed of four stages: Design, Measure, Analyze, and Control.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

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

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Cause-and-effect diagrams are usually constructed in a regulated environment by the quality department of the organization.

Question 5

Check sheets are tools that aid in data collection.

Question 6

The FADE methodology used by hospitals is a variation of the Deming Cycle and the DMAIC process.

Question 7

In a scatter diagram, a general trend of the points going down and to the right indicates that an increase in one variable corresponds to an increase in the other.

Question 8

A Pareto diagram is often used to analyze the attribute data collected in check sheets.

Question 9

In the Six Sigma process, experiments are conducted to verify the potential variables at the Measure stage.

Question 10

A kaizen event is a slow process in which a team or a department uses its resources into an
improvement project over a long time period.

Question 11

Quality-related data are of two general types-quantifiable and nonquantifiable.

Question 12

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

Question 13

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.

Question 14

The most useful tool for identifying the causes of problems is an Ishikawa diagram.

Question 15

Control charts are useful for identifying improvement opportunities and verifying that improvements really do have the desired effect.

Question 16

To be able to improve a process, it must be repeatable and measurable.

Question 17

A histogram shows the frequency or number of observations of a particular value or within a specified group.

Question 18

The Kanban strategy has been called "the single most important concept in Japanese management-the key to Japanese competitive success."

Question 19

Dimensional characteristics such as distance, weight, volume, and time are common examples of attribute data.

Question 20

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

Question 21

In which phase of the DMAIC process does statistical thinking play a critical role?

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

Question 22

Six Sigma methods are more intuitive than lean approaches and easier to apply by anybody in the workplace.

Question 23

The DMAIC approach used in Six Sigma is expanded as:

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.

Question 24

The_____ phase of DMAIC addresses project management issues that answer questions about what will need to be done, by whom, and when.

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

Question 25

A _____ is an intense and rapid improvement process in which a team or a department throws all its resources into an improvement project over a short time period.

A) quality quincunx
B) TQ impetus
C) rapid deployment
D) kaizen blitz

Question 26

In the DMAIC process used in Six Sigma, the process of drilling down to a more specific problem statement is called:

A) project scoping.
B) variation analysis.
C) root cause analysis.
D) problem mapping.

Question 27

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

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

Question 28

Two approaches that help companies achieve breakthrough improvement are benchmarking and reengineering.

Question 29

Lean approaches address visible problems in processes; Six Sigma is more concerned with less visible problems.

Question 30

Lean thinking cannot be applied to nonmanufacturing environments.

Question 31

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

Question 32

The _____ phase of the Six Sigma DMAIC process 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.

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

Question 33

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.

Question 34

Individuals with innovative cognitive styles will tend to use data within a well-established domain, accept problems as defined, and generate ideas consistent with accepted convention.

Question 35

In the DMAIC process used in Six Sigma, the characteristics that have the most impact on product or service performance are called:

A) essentials.
B) critical to quality.
C) excellence features.
D) critical variances.

Question 36

Six Sigma is an alternate approach to lean production.

Question 37

In the PDCA cycle, using feedback to incorporate improvements in the next phase of planning happens in the _____ stage.

A) do
B) act
C) check
D) plan

Question 38

One of the mechanisms used to encourage innovation and creativity in the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Criteria for Performance Excellence is the prescriptive nature of the criteria, which channels activities toward following procedures, not toward purpose.

Question 39

In the PDCA cycle, designing the product takes place in the _____ stage.

A) act
B) check
C) do
D) plan

Question 40

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

Question 41

With respect to the seven QC tools, a _____ is a picture of a process that shows the sequence of steps performed.

A) Pareto diagram
B) histogram
C) cause-and-effect diagram
D) flowchart

Question 42

A _____ is also known as the Ishikawa diagram.

A) cause-and-effect diagram
B) Pareto diagram
C) histogram
D) scatter diagram

Question 43

With respect to the Japanese terms of the 5S concept, _____ means sorting.

A) seiso
B) seiri
C) shitsuke
D) seiton

Question 44

Flowcharts are also known as:

A) Pareto diagrams.
B) fishbone charts.
C) process maps.
D) step charts.

Question 45

In a Pareto distribution, the characteristics are ordered:

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 46

_____ refers to rapid changeover of tooling and fixtures in machine shops so that multiple products in smaller batches can be run on the same equipment.

A) Pull production
B) Total productive maintenance
C) Single minute exchange of dies
D) Shitsuke

Question 47

The number of invoices that contain errors, the number of parts that conform to specifications, and the number of surface defects on an automobile panel are examples of _____ data.

A) control
B) variable
C) discrete
D) attribute

Question 48

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

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

Question 49

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

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

Question 50

With respect to the types of quality-related data, _____ data are obtained by counting or from some type of visual inspection.

A) attribute data
B) constant data
C) variable data
D) universal data

Question 51

A pull production system is also known as _____.

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

Question 52

With respect to the types of quality-related data, ______ data are collected by numerical measurement on a continuous scale.

A) universal
B) variable
C) control
D) attribute

Question 53

A histogram is a graphical representation of:

A) the sequence of steps performed in a process.
B) the cause-and-effect relationship of data points.
C) the variation in a set of data.
D) the types or sources of problems.

Question 54

With respect to the various tools used in lean thinking, in the _____ system, upstream suppliers do not produce until the downstream customer signals a need for parts.

A) pull production
B) kaizen
C) reduced handoff
D) standardized work system

Question 55

A_____ illustrates relationships between hypothesized causes and effects.

A) Pareto diagram
B) histogram
C) scatter diagram
D) cause-and-effect diagram

Question 56

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

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

Question 57

With respect to the various tools used in lean thinking, _____ is designed to ensure that equipment is operational and available when needed.

A) total productive maintenance
B) pull production system
C) source inspection
D) standardized work system

Question 58

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

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

Question 59

_____, first proposed by Walter Shewhart in 1924, are the backbone of statistical process control.

A) Histograms
B) Pareto charts
C) Scatter charts
D) Control charts

Question 60

With respect to the Japanese terms of the 5S concept, _____ means setting in order.

A) seiketsu
B) seiso
C) seiri
D) seiton

Question 61

Describe the general types of quality-related data gathered through check sheets with examples.

Question 62

The _____ is the extent to which the process maps onto the dimensions of the business, from a single activity in one function to spanning the entire business unit is critical to the long-term success of reengineering initiatives.

A) reach
B) breadth
C) scope
D) depth

Question 63

Explain the differences between lean approaches and Six Sigma.

Question 64

Briefly describe the DMAIC process in Six Sigma.

Question 65

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

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

Question 66

What are the various tools used in lean thinking?

Question 67

Describe the stages in the Deming Cycle.

Question 68

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

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

Question 69

What is the relevance of creativity and innovation in total quality?

Question 70

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.

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

Question 71

What is a kaizen blitz?

Question 72

Breakthrough improvement refers to _____.

A) process variance
B) discontinuous change
C) programmed innovation
D) a lack of variation

Question 73

What are the implications of the trends of points in a scatter-diagram?

Question 74

Two major types of benchmarking are:

A) quantifiable and nonquantifiable.
B) competitive and generic.
C) discrete and continuous.
D) historical and progressive.

Question 75

Breakthrough improvement is often motivated by:

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

Question 76

How is an Ishikawa diagram generated?

Question 77

_____ is focused on breakthrough improvement to dramatically improve the quality and speed of work and to reduce its cost by fundamentally changing the processes by which work gets done.

A) Process variance
B) Reengineering
C) Suboptimization
D) Anchoring

Question 78

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.

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

Question 79

Describe the steps in an improvement process.