Week 2: Six Sigma Define Phase Practice Questions

Welcome back to the 6 week Six Sigma Green Belt review.

Earlier this week we covered the Define 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!

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ASQ Six Sigma Define Phase Questions

Question: Which of the following measures is increased when process performance is improved?

(A) Variability range
(B) Capability index
(C) Repeatability index
(D) Specification limits

Answer: (B) Capability Index. The capability index increases as the process improves.

I disagree that this question belongs under Define, but ASQ tags it that way. It feels more like a Measure phase question to me, but let’s dive in.

You would immediately discount the Variability range as we judge a good process to have low variability. We can also discount specification limits as those hold steady regardless of the performance of the process (because they are defined by the voice of the customer.)

Repeatability is the variation between measurements that occurs when one person measures the same item several times, under identical conditions, and using the same measuring equipment. The standard Six Sigma BOKs do not list a repeatability index but there is a repeatability coefficient in biology that increases as sigma (the standard deviation) increases. In that case, a process with better performance would have smaller standard deviations and that index would decrease.

Question: The critical path for a project is best described as the:

(A) sequence of steps with the highest costs
(B) tasks in the project that have the highest risk of failure
(C) sum of the tasks with the shortest time requirements
(D) longest path from the start to the completion of the project

Answer: D, the longest path. This is a definition question for a critical path.

Float is the amount of time an activity may be delayed from its early start without delaying the project completion date.

◦Optimistic time: the shortest time in which the activity can be completed.
◦Most likely time: the completion time having the highest probability.
◦Pessimistic time: the longest time that an activity may take.

Question: Which of the following shapes is used to present a termination point in a flowchart?

(A) Rectangle
(B) Diamond
(C) Arrow
(D) Oval

Answer: (D) Oval. Definition question. See the flowchart symbol page here.

Question: Which of the following measures is used to show the ratio of defects to units?

A) DPU
(B) DPO
(C) DPMO
(D) PPM

Answer: (A) DPU stands for Defects per Unit. DPO is defects per opportunity, DPMO is defects per million opportunities, and PPM is parts per million. See Process Performance Measures.

Question: Which of the following tools is used to identify potential events and contingencies for an implementation plan?

(A) PERT chart
(B) Process decision program chart
(C) Fishbone diagram
(D) House of quality

Answer B. This is a definition question for PDPC, a Process Decision Program Chart. A Fishbone diagram helps us determine root cause. The House of Quality helps us translate voice of the customer to specifics of possible design. The PERT chart (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) is a way to see relationships between different events and tasks.

IASSC Six Sigma Define Phase Questions

Question: When in the process of trying to identify the Critical X’s for a LSS project a Belt creates a(n) _ because frequently it is 20% of the inputs that have an 80% impact on the output.

(A) Pareto Chart
(B) FMEA
(C) Np Chart
(D) X-Y Diagram

Answer: (A) Pareto Charts are used to identify and quantify the source of a problem. Also see FMEA, X-Y Diagram, NP Chart.

Question: A Belt utilized a diamond symbol in a Process Map she created for the process that was subject to her LSS project. By use of the diamond symbol she was showing a(n) _______________ point in the process.

(A) Ending
(B) Beginning
(C) Decision
(D) Repair station

Answer: (C) Decision. Definition question. See the flowchart symbol page here.

Question: A shoe manufacturing firm learned through a Lean Six Sigma project their boot soles could be made of a different material requiring two less steps in the process. Removal of these two steps yielded a monthly cost savings of $7,500. Therefore the reported financial savings for this LSS project were:

Question: Which of the following tools can be used to identify and quantify the source of a problem?

(A) Affinity diagram
(B) Control chart
(C) Pareto chart
(D) Quality function deployment

Answer: (C) Pareto Charts are used to identify and quantify the source of a problem. Affinity diagrams help reduce processes to a few key steps. Control charts can show you your process has gotten out of control but won’t identify the source or quantify it. QFD is a planning process for adapting client’s needs to your plans.

Your Assignment

Assignment for everyone

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.

Assignment for PYSSGB Students

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.)

What Do You Think?

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

Next week we will dive into the Measure Phase of DMAIC. This is commonly around 20% of your score so it’s important you study up there as well.

I’d love feedback on how you thought the second week went. What was good, what could be better?

Happy studying, Ted