QDM Exam (30+ Questions) – Quality Tools, Root Cause Analysis & ABLE Model

This document contains 30+ fully solved and updated exam questions from the Quality and Decision Making (QDM) Exam for the 2025/2026 academic year, covering the most recent updates in quality management tools and frameworks. It provides concise, accurate answers aligned with current industry standards and institutional practices, making it ideal for students preparing for QDM-focused assessments or professional certifications. Core topics and tools featured in this exam include: Seven Basic Quality Tools: flow charts, control charts, scatter diagrams, Pareto charts, histograms, check sheets, and fishbone (cause-and-effect) diagrams Root Cause Analysis Techniques: 5 Whys, FMEA, fault tree analysis, current reality tree QDM-Specific Models and Terms: TIMCWOOD waste categories, SIPOC, value definition, affinity diagrams FedEx QDM Mission and Culture: quality as a shared responsibility, focus on customer experience Project Deployment and Team Development: ABLE model phases, project charters, training plans, team stages (forming, storming, norming, performing) Measurement & Control Tools: Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM), Optical Comparators, Control Limits Poka-Yoke for Error-Proofing and PDPC (Process Decision Program Chart) for contingency planning Data-Driven Decision Making and the importance of direct observation (Go to Gemba) This resource is best suited for students enrolled in: Operations Management Quality Assurance & Control Business Process Improvement Industrial and Systems Engineering Lean Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement It is highly useful for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals preparing for practical roles in quality-focused environments, especially in logistics and service industries like FedEx. The document emphasizes lean principles, process efficiency, and actionable quality tools. Keywords: quality tools, root cause analysis, ABLE model, seven quality tools, SIPOC, fishbone diagram, 5 Whys, FMEA, poka-yoke, TIMCWOOD, control charts, affinity diagram, value stream, optical comparator, CMM, FedEx QDM, project charter, team development, zero defects, process control, process decision program chart, Gemba