Lean Six Sigma Black Belt ACTUAL
UPDATED Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
PDCA - CORRECT ANSWER - Plan, Do, Check, Act
The term "Six Sigma" refers to... - CORRECT ANSWER - The ability of highly capable
processes to produce output within specification. In particular, processes that operate within six
sigma quality produce a defect levels below 3.4 defects per (one) million opportunities (DPMO).
Six Sigma two key methodologies - CORRECT ANSWER - DMAIC & DMADV (both
inspired by W. Deming's Plan, Do, Check, Act cycle)
EXISTING PROCESS OR BUSINESS
- DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control)
NEW PRODUCT OR PROCESS
- DMADV (Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify)
Define (DMAIC) - CORRECT ANSWER - The process improvement GOALS that are
consistent with customer demands & enterprise strategy.
First asks leaders to define core processes. It is important to define the selected project scope,
expectations, resources & timeliness.
Identifies specifically what is part of the project & what is not, & explains the scope of the
project.
Many times the first passes at process documentation are at a general level. Additional work is
often required to adequately understand & correctly document the processes.
, Measure (DMAIC) - CORRECT ANSWER - The current process & collect relevant data
for future comparison.
Six Sigma approach asks the Black Belt project manager to quantify & benchmark the process
using actual data. at a minimum consider the mean or average dispersion or variation (maybe,
even calculate the standard deviation). Trends & cycles can also be very revealing. Process
capabilities can be calculated once there is performance data.
Analyze (DMAIC) - CORRECT ANSWER - To verify relationship & causality of factors.
Determine what the relationship is & attempt to ensure that all factors have been considered.
Once the project is understood & the baseline performance documented & verified that there is
real opportunity, it is time to do the analysis of the process. In this step, apply statistical tools to
validate root causes of problems. Any number of tools & tests can be used.
The objective is to understand the process at a level, sufficient to be able to formulate options for
improvement. We should be able to compare the various options with each other to determine the
most promising alternatives.
Superficial analysis & understanding will lead to unproductive options being selected, forcing
recycle through the process to make improvements. At the other extreme is thorough analysis of
only a few activities.
Improve (DMAIC) - CORRECT ANSWER - Or "Optimize" the process based upon the
analysis using techniques like "Design of Experiments".
During this phase, ideas & solutions are put to work. The Black Belt has discovered & validated
all known root causes for the existing opportunity. Approach requires Black Belt to identify
solutions. There must be checks to assure that the desired results are being achieved. Some
experiments & trials may be required in order to find the best solution. While doing this, it is
important that all project associates understand that these are trials & really are part of the six
sigma approach.
UPDATED Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
PDCA - CORRECT ANSWER - Plan, Do, Check, Act
The term "Six Sigma" refers to... - CORRECT ANSWER - The ability of highly capable
processes to produce output within specification. In particular, processes that operate within six
sigma quality produce a defect levels below 3.4 defects per (one) million opportunities (DPMO).
Six Sigma two key methodologies - CORRECT ANSWER - DMAIC & DMADV (both
inspired by W. Deming's Plan, Do, Check, Act cycle)
EXISTING PROCESS OR BUSINESS
- DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control)
NEW PRODUCT OR PROCESS
- DMADV (Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify)
Define (DMAIC) - CORRECT ANSWER - The process improvement GOALS that are
consistent with customer demands & enterprise strategy.
First asks leaders to define core processes. It is important to define the selected project scope,
expectations, resources & timeliness.
Identifies specifically what is part of the project & what is not, & explains the scope of the
project.
Many times the first passes at process documentation are at a general level. Additional work is
often required to adequately understand & correctly document the processes.
, Measure (DMAIC) - CORRECT ANSWER - The current process & collect relevant data
for future comparison.
Six Sigma approach asks the Black Belt project manager to quantify & benchmark the process
using actual data. at a minimum consider the mean or average dispersion or variation (maybe,
even calculate the standard deviation). Trends & cycles can also be very revealing. Process
capabilities can be calculated once there is performance data.
Analyze (DMAIC) - CORRECT ANSWER - To verify relationship & causality of factors.
Determine what the relationship is & attempt to ensure that all factors have been considered.
Once the project is understood & the baseline performance documented & verified that there is
real opportunity, it is time to do the analysis of the process. In this step, apply statistical tools to
validate root causes of problems. Any number of tools & tests can be used.
The objective is to understand the process at a level, sufficient to be able to formulate options for
improvement. We should be able to compare the various options with each other to determine the
most promising alternatives.
Superficial analysis & understanding will lead to unproductive options being selected, forcing
recycle through the process to make improvements. At the other extreme is thorough analysis of
only a few activities.
Improve (DMAIC) - CORRECT ANSWER - Or "Optimize" the process based upon the
analysis using techniques like "Design of Experiments".
During this phase, ideas & solutions are put to work. The Black Belt has discovered & validated
all known root causes for the existing opportunity. Approach requires Black Belt to identify
solutions. There must be checks to assure that the desired results are being achieved. Some
experiments & trials may be required in order to find the best solution. While doing this, it is
important that all project associates understand that these are trials & really are part of the six
sigma approach.
