Question 1

Control charts makes it very difficult for operators or other workers to plot data and compare performance over time.

Accepted Answer

Control charts are designed to make it easy for operators and other workers to plot data and compare performance over time. They provide a visual representation of how a process is performing and make it easier for workers to identify trends and patterns in data.

Question 2

Statistical process control (SPC)allows firms to compare process performance to desired levels or standards.

Accepted Answer

SPC is a method of monitoring and controlling a process to ensure it operates at its full potential. It involves collecting data and using statistical tools to analyze and interpret the data, comparing it to desired levels or standards.

Question 3

The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recognizes firms for their quality achievements and is only given to U.S.firms.

Accepted Answer

The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award is only given to U.S. firms, so this statement is true.

Question 4

A type of card called a kanban is used to signal when a process is out of control in the production process.

Accepted Answer

A kanban is a card used in the lean manufacturing system to signal the need for more inventory or material at a specific point in the production process. It is not used to indicate when a process is out of control. Other tools, such as statistical process control charts or control plans, are used for that purpose.

Question 5

Acceptance sampling is a statistical technique that enables a reject or accept decision to be made based on information obtained from a representative sample drawn from the population.

Accepted Answer

Acceptance sampling is indeed a statistical technique that involves drawing a representative sample from a population in order to make a decision about whether to accept or reject a certain lot or batch of products. This is a common quality control approach used in manufacturing, where it is not feasible or cost-effective to inspect every single unit that is produced. Instead, a smaller sample is tested according to a pre-specified plan, and the results are used to make inferences about the quality of the entire lot. Based on these inferences, a decision is made about whether to accept the lot or reject it.

Question 6

Deming's 14 points actually conflict with many Six Sigma concepts.

Accepted Answer

Deming's 14 points and Six Sigma concepts both aim at improving quality and efficiency within organizations, though they approach it differently. Deming focuses on broader management principles and cultural change, while Six Sigma provides specific tools and methodologies for process improvement. They are complementary rather than conflicting.

Question 7

Statistical process control uses control charts to monitor the outputs of a process to identify variations due to assignable causes from variations due to common causes.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Statistical process control relies on control charts to monitor a process over time and distinguish between variations that occur naturally (common causes) from those that are the result of a specific cause or event (assignable causes).

Question 8

Manufacturing cells are often U-shaped to make operator and material movements easier within the cell.

Accepted Answer

A U-shaped cell allows operators and materials to move more efficiently within the cell, reducing waste and improving productivity.

Question 9

Lean production is an operating philosophy or mindset that essentially attempts to minimize the impact of system variability and flaws in forecasting through the use of high safety stock inventories.

Accepted Answer

This statement is incorrect. Lean production actually aims to reduce or eliminate inventory through the use of efficient production processes and just-in-time delivery systems. It also seeks to identify and eliminate sources of waste, including variability and forecasting errors.

Question 10

Lean thinking and Six Sigma quality are concerned with achieving low cost along with high levels of quality and responsiveness throughout the supply chain.

Accepted Answer

Lean thinking and Six Sigma both aim to achieve low cost and high levels of quality and responsiveness throughout the supply chain. These methodologies focus on streamlining processes, reducing waste, and improving efficiency in order to achieve these goals.

Question 11

The term "lean production" essentially refers to the Toyota Production System in its entirety.

Accepted Answer

The term "lean production" was coined by researchers studying the Toyota Production System (TPS), and it refers specifically to the principles and methods used in TPS. Therefore, the term "lean production" is essentially synonymous with TPS.

Question 12

A cause-and-effect diagram is a useful tool for presenting data in an organized fashion,indicating process problems from most to least severe.

Accepted Answer

A cause-and-effect diagram, also known as a fishbone diagram or Ishikawa diagram, is used to identify, sort, and display the possible causes of a specific problem or quality characteristic. It does not prioritize problems from most to least severe; rather, it organizes potential causes into categories.

Question 13

A lean system is also known as a push system.

Accepted Answer

A lean system is actually a pull system, where production is based on customer demand rather than pushing out products in anticipation of demand.

Question 14

Organizations practicing lean production often increase their inventory levels in the long-run in order to create a cushion against variability so that they can investigate and eliminate the weaknesses of their system.

Accepted Answer

Organizations practicing lean production aim to reduce inventory levels and achieve just-in-time delivery of products. They also aim to identify and eliminate the root causes of variability in their processes rather than relying on inventory as a cushion.

Question 15

Lean production and Six Sigma quality are essentially two terms that mean the same thing.

Accepted Answer

Lean production and Six Sigma quality are not the same thing. They are two different improvement methodologies that focus on different aspects of a business. Lean production concentrates on reducing waste and maximizing efficiency, while Six Sigma focuses on reducing variability and minimizing defects in processes.

Question 16

When designing a manufacturing or service process,or even during the reengineering of such a process,a Pareto chart would be an essential tool for evaluating the process in terms of its action elements,waiting periods,and process flow.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When designing a manufacturing or service process,or...

Question 17

The primary design objective with lean layouts is to reduce wasted movements of workers,customers,and/or work-in-process.

Accepted Answer

Lean layouts are designed to minimize the distance workers, customers, and/or work-in-process need to travel in order to reduce wasted movements and improve efficiency.

Question 18

The five S's refer to various safety activities practiced by Toyota.

Accepted Answer

The five S's (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) are a methodology used for workplace organization and efficiency, not specifically safety activities.

Question 19

Six Sigma is a quality improvement concept developed by IBM.

Accepted Answer

Six Sigma was developed by Motorola in the 1980s. IBM later adopted the concept and helped popularize it.

Question 20

Deming,Crosby,and Juran are all prominent quality professionals whose ideas were vital to Six Sigma.

Accepted Answer

Deming, Crosby, and Juran are considered the founding fathers of modern quality management and their ideas and teachings have greatly influenced the development of Six Sigma methodology.

Quiz 8: Process Management - Lean and Six Sigma in the Supply Chain