Last time we reviewed the key topics within the Analyze Phase of Six Sigma DMAIC section of most Green Belt exams. If you didn’t get a chance to see it, no worries, just go here.
We covered a many topics that you may or may not have been familiar with.
This time, we’re going to dive in and explore the details of what’s expected by each organization.
(more…)Welcome back to the 6 week Six Sigma Green Belt review.
Earlier this week we covered the Measure Phase of DMAIC. We stepped through dozens of concepts in each. You can see that here.
We also reviewed what some of the most popular certifying organizations like ASQ, IASSC, and Villanova require you know about these topics.
Today we’re going to review some of the kinds of questions you may be asked on your exam around those topics.
Ready? Let’s dive in!
(A) gage variation
(B) process performance
(C) process stability
(D) engineering tolerances
Answer: (A) Gage variation. A measurement system analysis is designed to assess the statistical properties of gage variation. Process performance and stability can be determined in other ways. Engineering tolerances are calculated by need.
Answer: A half sigma is 19.1%, 1 sigma is 19.1+ 15, and 2 sigmas are 19.1% + 15% + 9.2% + 4.4 % = 47.7%
Now double it to account for the other side of the median: 47.7% * 2 = 95.4%.
So, a process that follows the normal distribution inside can expect to have 95.4% of its values fall within 2 sigmas of the mean.
(A) The tolerance interval
(B) The confidence interval for the result
(C) The range of the process
(D) The variance of the index
Answer: (C) The range of the process is represented by 6 sigmas, or standard deviations in the Cp Index equation. Remember, 6 standard deviations account for nearly all eventualities (assuming normal distribution) of the process. 6 sigmas is a good approximation of the range of outcomes.
The USL – LSL (the upper and lower limits) could be representative of the tolerance interval. I’m not familiar with anything called the tolerance interval but the upper and lower limits are set by what is considered acceptable by the client. And those fit.
A confidence interval is a statistical measure used in hypothesis testing and is not pertinent to this question.
Variance is a specific term in Six Sigma. You can calculate variance by squaring the standard deviation, a term that does not appear in the Cp equation so we can eliminate this answer.
(A) Spread, Mean of the population
(B) Deviation, hoped for
(C) Deviation, true
(D) Spread, idea
Answer: (c) Deviation, true. This is a definition question. See MSA.
Answer
A) Ratio the area under the curve is to the total population
B) Number of Standard Deviations are between X and μ
C) The Median of the sample population is
D) Proportion of the data is between X and μ
Answer: Proportion of the data is between X and μ. This is a definition question. See Z Scores.
A: Subscripts
B: Superscripts
C: Swim Lanes
D: Fence Posts
Answer: This is by definition. See Process Mapping and Process Map Symbols.
A reminder that if you want to take these questions yourself you can via my online system. If you haven’t take then baseline exam yet, do so. You can find one available in all of my courses both paid and free.
As great as the baseline practice exams aren’t enough. You need to find more questions.
Your assignment this week is to find and practice more questions for these topics.
If you are a Pass Your Six Sigma Green Belt member, take all of the individual topic quizzes as well as the the cumulative exams for Module 5. Let me know what you think. (Want to become a member? Sign up here.)
I’d love to know what you think about the material you need to know in these sections. Please take a minute to share your thoughts below. I’ll use these responses to decide the best way to improve the site to help the most number of people.
Next week we will dive into the Analyze Phase of DMAIC.
I’d love feedback on how you thought the second week went. What was good, what could be better?
Happy studying, Ted
Last time we reviewed the key topics within the Measure Phase of Six Sigma DMAIC section of most Green Belt exams. If you didn’t get a chance to see it, no worries, just go here.
We covered a many topics that you may or may not have been familiar with.
This time, we’re going to dive in and explore the details of what’s expected by each organization.
(more…)Welcome to Week 3, Day 1 of the Six Sigma Green Belt review!
During the first few weeks we covered a ton of material!
We also covered the Feynman technique – in my opinion the best way to fully master any material. That’s where you take a minute and write everything you know on a topic from scratch then go to the page and see how what you wrote compares to what is there.
If you didn’t have a chance to review those topics, go back now and catch up. The context supplied with those topics gives an excellent foundation for our studying.
Today we’re starting with the Measure Phase of Six Sigma’s DMAIC process. Just like the previous weeks, before we start I’d like to begin with a note that many different certifying bodies exist and I am trying to help people that are candidates in all of them. This means that I may refer to things that aren’t specifically on your exam.
Here's what I'd like you to do.
Free membership or paid, it doesn’t matter. You just have to be logged in. Buttons to sign up and log in are below.
These are the concepts I refer exam candidates to when diving into these particular sections.
Take a look.
Read through, click around the resources I’ve listed, and learn more. If you have questions, post them on that page.
As I’ve mentioned before, the Feynman technique is Take a minute and write everything you know on a topic from scratch then go to the page and see how what you wrote compares to what is there.
For the next 2 weeks in the Measure and Analyze phases, I’d like you to focus on anchoring.
These topics can be difficult to remember due to sheer volume. So, a great way to remember them is to come up with an instance you would apply the technique in real life.
Here’s an example: Let’s say that you just can’t seem to remember when to use equations for sampling vs equations for a population.
If you take the time to either remember a real-world instance of when you did apply that equation (or invent a time you should or could have used that equation), you’ll stand a much better chance of remembering it.
Your assignment is to pick one topic that you are unsure of in this section and leave a comment on that topic’s page describing when you’ve seen it in action – or you could have / should have seen it in action.
I’d love to know what you think about the material you need to know in these sections. Please take a minute to share your thoughts below. I’ll use these responses to decide the best way to improve the site to help the most number of people.
Next time we will dive into the specific requirements of these topics across of a few popular certifying bodies (ASQ, IASSC, Villanova).
Happy studying!
This IASSC Six Sigma Yellow Belt Study Guide lists all key concepts (and links to learn more) for the IASSC Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification.
IASSC Universally Accepted Lean Six Sigma Body of Knowledge for Yellow Belts
1.1 The Basics of Six Sigma
1.1.1 Meanings of Six Sigma
1.1.2 General History of Six Sigma & Continuous Improvement (Also see the History of Lean)
1.1.3 Deliverables of a Lean Six Sigma Project
1.1.4 The Problem Solving Strategy Y = f(x)
1.1.5 Voice of the Customer, Business, and Employee
1.1.6 Six Sigma Roles & Responsibilities
1.2 The Fundamentals of Six Sigma
1.2.1 Defining a Process
1.2.2 Critical to Quality Characteristics (CTQs)
1.2.3 Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ)
1.2.4 Pareto Analysis (80:20 rule) (Also see Pareto chart basics and How to make a Pareto chart)
1.2.5 Basic Six Sigma Metrics (also see Process Performance Metrics and How to calculate Baseline Sigma)
a. including DPU, DPMO, FTY, RTY Cycle Time
1.3 Selecting Lean Six Sigma Projects
1.3.1 Building a Business Case & Project Charter
1.3.2 Developing Project Metrics
1.3.3 Financial Evaluation & Benefits Capture
1.4 The Lean Enterprise
1.4.1 Understanding Lean
1.4.2 The History of Lean
1.4.3 Lean & Six Sigma
1.4.4 The Seven Elements of Waste
a. Overproduction, Correction, Inventory, Motion, Overprocessing, Conveyance, Waiting.
1.4.5 5S
a. Straighten, Shine, Standardize, Self-Discipline, Sort
2.1 Process Definition
2.1.1 Cause & Effect / Fishbone Diagrams
2.1.2 Process Mapping, SIPOC, Value Stream Map
2.1.3 X-Y Diagram
2.1.4 Failure Modes & Effects Analysis (FMEA)
2.2 Six Sigma Statistics
2.2.1 Basic Statistics
2.2.2 Descriptive Statistics
2.2.3 Normal Distributions & Normality
2.2.4 Graphical Analysis
Rusty on the math behind these topics? Join the Math Confidence for Six Sigma waitlist and I’ll let you know when the course opens.
2.3 Measurement System Analysis
2.3.1 Precision & Accuracy
2.3.2 Bias, Linearity & Stability
2.3.3 Gage Repeatability & Reproducibility
2.3.4 Variable & Attribute MSA
2.4 Process Capability
2.4.1 Capability Analysis
2.4.2 Concept of Stability
2.4.3 Attribute & Discrete Capability
2.4.4 Monitoring Techniques
3.1 Lean Controls
3.1.1 Control Methods for 5S
3.1.2 Kanban
3.1.3 Poka-Yoke (Mistake Proofing)
3.2 Six Sigma Control Plans
3.2.1 Cost Benefit Analysis
3.2.2 Elements of the Control Plan
3.2.3 Elements of the Response Plan
