ASQ Green Belt Exam
Acceptance number - answer The maximum number of defects or defectives allowable
in a sampling lot for the lot to be acceptable.
acceptance quality limit (AQL) - answer In a continuing series of lots, a quality level that,
for the purpose of sampling inspection, is the limit of a satisfactory process average.
acceptance sampling - answer Inspection of a sample from a lot to decide whether to
accept that lot. There are two types: attributes sampling and variables sampling. In
attributes sampling, the presence or absence of a characteristic is noted in each of the
units inspected. In variables sampling, the numerical magnitude of a characteristic is
measured and recorded for each inspected unit; this involves reference to a continuous
scale of some kind.
acceptance sampling plan - answerA specific plan that indicates the sampling sizes and
associated acceptance or nonacceptance criteria to be used. In attributes sampling, for
example, there are single, double, multiple, sequential, chain, and skip-lot sampling
plans. In variables sampling, there are single, double, and sequential sampling plans.
For detailed descriptions of these plans, see the standard ANSI/ISO/ASQ A3534-2-
1993: Statistics—Vocabulary and symbols— Statistical quality control.
accuracy - answerThe closeness of agreement between a test result or measurement
result and the accepted/true value.2
activity based costing - answerAn accounting system that assigns costs to a product
based on the amount of resources used to design, order, or make it.
activity network diagram - answerA diagram that links tasks with direct arrows showing
the path through the task list. Tasks are linked when a task is dependent on a preceding
task. (AKA arrow diagram.) Included with parallel activity paths
Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) - answerHigh-level automotive process for
product realization, from design through production part approval.
affinity diagram - answerA management tool for organizing information (usually
gathered during a brainstorming activity) into categories. To group ideas for a new or
potentially complex problem, a team would most likely employ:
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) - answerA private, nonprofit organization
that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity
assessment system. It is the U.S. member body in the International Organization for
Standardization, known as ISO.
,American Society for Quality (ASQ) - answerA global community of people dedicated to
quality who share the ideas and tools that make our world work better. With individual
and organizational members around the world, ASQ has the reputation and reach to
bring together the diverse quality champions who are transforming the world's
corporations, organizations, and communities to meet tomorrow's critical challenges.
analysis of means (ANOM) - answerA statistical procedure for troubleshooting industrial
processes and analyzing the results of experimental designs with factors at fixed levels.
It provides a graphical display of data. Ellis R. Ott developed the procedure in 1967
because he observed that nonstatisticians had difficulty understanding analysis of
variance. Analysis of means is easier for quality practitioners to use because it is an
extension of the control chart. In 1973, Edward G. Schilling further extended the
concept, enabling analysis of means to be used with nonnormal distributions and
attributes data in which the normal approximation to the binomial distribution does not
apply. This is referred to as analysis of means for treatment effects.
analysis of variance (ANOVA) - answerA basic statistical technique for determining the
proportion of influence a factor or set of factors has on total variation. It subdivides the
total variation of a data set into meaningful component parts associated with specific
sources of variation to test a hypothesis on the parameters of the model or to estimate
variance components. There are three models: fixed, random, and mixed. Alternative
hypothesis is valid for one way Anova is at least one of the group means is different.
analytical (inferential) studies - answerA set of techniques used to arrive at a conclusion
about a population based upon the information contained in a sample taken from that
population.
arrow diagram - answerA planning tool used to diagram a sequence of events or
activities (nodes) and their interconnectivity. It is used for scheduling and especially for
determining the critical path through nodes. (AKA activity network diagram.)
assignable cause - answerA name for the source of variation in a process that is not
due to chance and therefore can be identified and eliminated. Also called "special
cause."
attributes (discrete) data - answerGo/no-go information. The control charts based on
attributes data include percent chart, number of affected units chart, count chart, count
per unit chart, quality score chart, and demerit chart.
attributes, method of - answerMethod of measuring quality that consists of noting the
presence (or absence) of some characteristic (attribute) in each of the units under
consideration and counting how many units do (or do not) possess it. Example: go/no-
go gauging of a dimension.
,audit - answerThe on-site verification activity, such as inspection or examination, of a
product, process, or quality system, to ensure compliance to requirements. Glossary
561 An audit can apply to an entire organization or might be specific to a product,
function, process, or production step.
Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) - answerA global automotive trade
association with about 1600 member companies that focuses on common business
processes, implementation guidelines, education, and training.
average chart - answerA control chart in which the subgroup average, x -, is used to
evaluate the stability of the process level.
average outgoing quality (AOQ) - answerThe expected average quality level of an
outgoing product for a given value of incoming product quality.
average outgoing quality limit (AOQL) - answerThe maximum average outgoing quality
over all possible levels of incoming quality for a given acceptance sampling plan and
disposal specification.
average run length (ARL) - answerOn a control chart, the number of subgroups
expected to be inspected before a shift in magnitude takes place.
average sample number (ASN) - answerThe average number of sample units inspected
per lot when reaching decisions to accept or reject.
average total inspection (ATI) - answerThe average number of units inspected per lot,
including all units in rejected lots. Applicable when the procedure calls for 100 percent
inspection of rejected lots.
balanced scorecard - answerA management system that provides feedback on both
internal business processes and external outcomes to continuously improve strategic
performance and results. Four dimensions are: Financial, Customer, Internal process
and Innovation
Baldrige Award - answerSee Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. baseline
measurement—The beginning point, based on an evaluation of output over a period of
time, used to determine the process parameters prior to any improvement effort; the
basis against which change is measured.
batch and queue - answerProducing more than one piece and then moving the pieces
to the next operation before they are needed.
Bayes's theorem - answerA formula to calculate conditional probabilities by relating the
conditional and marginal probability distributions of random variables.
, benchmarking - answerA technique in which a company measures its performance
against that of best-in-class companies, determines how those companies achieved
their performance levels, and uses the information to improve its own performance.
Subjects that can be benchmarked include strategies, operations, and processes.
benefit-cost analysis - answerAn examination of the relationship between the monetary
cost of implementing an improvement and the monetary value of the benefits achieved
by the improvement, both within the same time period. 562 Glossary
bias - answerThe influence in a sample of a factor that causes the data population or
process being sampled to appear different from what it actually is, typically in a specific
direction.3
binomial distribution - answerA discrete distribution that is applicable whenever an
experiment consists of n independent Bernoulli trials and the probability of an outcome,
say, success, is constant throughout the experiment.1
Black Belt (BB) - answerFull-time team leader responsible for implementing process
improvement projects; define, measure, analyze, improve, and control (DMAIC) or
define, measure, analyze, design, and verify (DMADV)—within a business to drive up
customer satisfaction and productivity levels.
block diagram - answerA diagram that shows the operation, interrelationships, and
interdependencies of components in a system. Boxes, or blocks (hence the name),
represent the components; connecting lines between the blocks represent interfaces.
There are two types of block diagrams: a functional block diagram, which shows a
system's subsystems and lower-level products and their interrelationships and which
interfaces with other systems; and a reliability block diagram, which is similar to the
functional block diagram but is modified to emphasize those aspects influencing
reliability.
brainstorming - answerA technique teams use to generate ideas on a particular subject.
Each person on the team is asked to think creatively and write down as many ideas as
possible. The ideas are not discussed or reviewed until after the brainstorming session.
Affinity diagrams and interelationship digraphs would benefit most from brainstorming.
breakthrough improvement - answerA dynamic, decisive movement to a new, higher
level of performance.
business process reengineering (BPR) - answerThe concentration on improving
business processes to deliver outputs that will achieve results meeting the firm's
objectives, priorities, and mission.
calibration - answerThe comparison of a measurement instrument or system of
unverified accuracy to a measurement instrument or system of known accuracy to
Acceptance number - answer The maximum number of defects or defectives allowable
in a sampling lot for the lot to be acceptable.
acceptance quality limit (AQL) - answer In a continuing series of lots, a quality level that,
for the purpose of sampling inspection, is the limit of a satisfactory process average.
acceptance sampling - answer Inspection of a sample from a lot to decide whether to
accept that lot. There are two types: attributes sampling and variables sampling. In
attributes sampling, the presence or absence of a characteristic is noted in each of the
units inspected. In variables sampling, the numerical magnitude of a characteristic is
measured and recorded for each inspected unit; this involves reference to a continuous
scale of some kind.
acceptance sampling plan - answerA specific plan that indicates the sampling sizes and
associated acceptance or nonacceptance criteria to be used. In attributes sampling, for
example, there are single, double, multiple, sequential, chain, and skip-lot sampling
plans. In variables sampling, there are single, double, and sequential sampling plans.
For detailed descriptions of these plans, see the standard ANSI/ISO/ASQ A3534-2-
1993: Statistics—Vocabulary and symbols— Statistical quality control.
accuracy - answerThe closeness of agreement between a test result or measurement
result and the accepted/true value.2
activity based costing - answerAn accounting system that assigns costs to a product
based on the amount of resources used to design, order, or make it.
activity network diagram - answerA diagram that links tasks with direct arrows showing
the path through the task list. Tasks are linked when a task is dependent on a preceding
task. (AKA arrow diagram.) Included with parallel activity paths
Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) - answerHigh-level automotive process for
product realization, from design through production part approval.
affinity diagram - answerA management tool for organizing information (usually
gathered during a brainstorming activity) into categories. To group ideas for a new or
potentially complex problem, a team would most likely employ:
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) - answerA private, nonprofit organization
that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity
assessment system. It is the U.S. member body in the International Organization for
Standardization, known as ISO.
,American Society for Quality (ASQ) - answerA global community of people dedicated to
quality who share the ideas and tools that make our world work better. With individual
and organizational members around the world, ASQ has the reputation and reach to
bring together the diverse quality champions who are transforming the world's
corporations, organizations, and communities to meet tomorrow's critical challenges.
analysis of means (ANOM) - answerA statistical procedure for troubleshooting industrial
processes and analyzing the results of experimental designs with factors at fixed levels.
It provides a graphical display of data. Ellis R. Ott developed the procedure in 1967
because he observed that nonstatisticians had difficulty understanding analysis of
variance. Analysis of means is easier for quality practitioners to use because it is an
extension of the control chart. In 1973, Edward G. Schilling further extended the
concept, enabling analysis of means to be used with nonnormal distributions and
attributes data in which the normal approximation to the binomial distribution does not
apply. This is referred to as analysis of means for treatment effects.
analysis of variance (ANOVA) - answerA basic statistical technique for determining the
proportion of influence a factor or set of factors has on total variation. It subdivides the
total variation of a data set into meaningful component parts associated with specific
sources of variation to test a hypothesis on the parameters of the model or to estimate
variance components. There are three models: fixed, random, and mixed. Alternative
hypothesis is valid for one way Anova is at least one of the group means is different.
analytical (inferential) studies - answerA set of techniques used to arrive at a conclusion
about a population based upon the information contained in a sample taken from that
population.
arrow diagram - answerA planning tool used to diagram a sequence of events or
activities (nodes) and their interconnectivity. It is used for scheduling and especially for
determining the critical path through nodes. (AKA activity network diagram.)
assignable cause - answerA name for the source of variation in a process that is not
due to chance and therefore can be identified and eliminated. Also called "special
cause."
attributes (discrete) data - answerGo/no-go information. The control charts based on
attributes data include percent chart, number of affected units chart, count chart, count
per unit chart, quality score chart, and demerit chart.
attributes, method of - answerMethod of measuring quality that consists of noting the
presence (or absence) of some characteristic (attribute) in each of the units under
consideration and counting how many units do (or do not) possess it. Example: go/no-
go gauging of a dimension.
,audit - answerThe on-site verification activity, such as inspection or examination, of a
product, process, or quality system, to ensure compliance to requirements. Glossary
561 An audit can apply to an entire organization or might be specific to a product,
function, process, or production step.
Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) - answerA global automotive trade
association with about 1600 member companies that focuses on common business
processes, implementation guidelines, education, and training.
average chart - answerA control chart in which the subgroup average, x -, is used to
evaluate the stability of the process level.
average outgoing quality (AOQ) - answerThe expected average quality level of an
outgoing product for a given value of incoming product quality.
average outgoing quality limit (AOQL) - answerThe maximum average outgoing quality
over all possible levels of incoming quality for a given acceptance sampling plan and
disposal specification.
average run length (ARL) - answerOn a control chart, the number of subgroups
expected to be inspected before a shift in magnitude takes place.
average sample number (ASN) - answerThe average number of sample units inspected
per lot when reaching decisions to accept or reject.
average total inspection (ATI) - answerThe average number of units inspected per lot,
including all units in rejected lots. Applicable when the procedure calls for 100 percent
inspection of rejected lots.
balanced scorecard - answerA management system that provides feedback on both
internal business processes and external outcomes to continuously improve strategic
performance and results. Four dimensions are: Financial, Customer, Internal process
and Innovation
Baldrige Award - answerSee Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. baseline
measurement—The beginning point, based on an evaluation of output over a period of
time, used to determine the process parameters prior to any improvement effort; the
basis against which change is measured.
batch and queue - answerProducing more than one piece and then moving the pieces
to the next operation before they are needed.
Bayes's theorem - answerA formula to calculate conditional probabilities by relating the
conditional and marginal probability distributions of random variables.
, benchmarking - answerA technique in which a company measures its performance
against that of best-in-class companies, determines how those companies achieved
their performance levels, and uses the information to improve its own performance.
Subjects that can be benchmarked include strategies, operations, and processes.
benefit-cost analysis - answerAn examination of the relationship between the monetary
cost of implementing an improvement and the monetary value of the benefits achieved
by the improvement, both within the same time period. 562 Glossary
bias - answerThe influence in a sample of a factor that causes the data population or
process being sampled to appear different from what it actually is, typically in a specific
direction.3
binomial distribution - answerA discrete distribution that is applicable whenever an
experiment consists of n independent Bernoulli trials and the probability of an outcome,
say, success, is constant throughout the experiment.1
Black Belt (BB) - answerFull-time team leader responsible for implementing process
improvement projects; define, measure, analyze, improve, and control (DMAIC) or
define, measure, analyze, design, and verify (DMADV)—within a business to drive up
customer satisfaction and productivity levels.
block diagram - answerA diagram that shows the operation, interrelationships, and
interdependencies of components in a system. Boxes, or blocks (hence the name),
represent the components; connecting lines between the blocks represent interfaces.
There are two types of block diagrams: a functional block diagram, which shows a
system's subsystems and lower-level products and their interrelationships and which
interfaces with other systems; and a reliability block diagram, which is similar to the
functional block diagram but is modified to emphasize those aspects influencing
reliability.
brainstorming - answerA technique teams use to generate ideas on a particular subject.
Each person on the team is asked to think creatively and write down as many ideas as
possible. The ideas are not discussed or reviewed until after the brainstorming session.
Affinity diagrams and interelationship digraphs would benefit most from brainstorming.
breakthrough improvement - answerA dynamic, decisive movement to a new, higher
level of performance.
business process reengineering (BPR) - answerThe concentration on improving
business processes to deliver outputs that will achieve results meeting the firm's
objectives, priorities, and mission.
calibration - answerThe comparison of a measurement instrument or system of
unverified accuracy to a measurement instrument or system of known accuracy to
