Introduction to Six Sigma

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts related to Six Sigma, essential for mastering the subject.

Six Sigma

A methodology for process improvement that reduces variation and defects, enhancing customer satisfaction and profitability.

DMAIC

Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control; a structured approach to improving existing processes.

DMADV

Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify; a methodology used to design or redesign processes to meet customer needs.

Critical to Quality (CTQ)

The specific characteristics or requirements that a product or service must have to meet customer expectations.

Voice of the Customer (VOC)

Feedback from customers about their needs and expectations, used to guide improvements in products and services.

Defects per Million Opportunities (DPMO)

A key Six Sigma metric that measures the number of defects in a process per one million opportunities.

The Pareto Principle

The principle that suggests 80% of effects come from 20% of causes, often used to prioritize problem-solving efforts.

5 Whys

A root cause analysis tool used to explore the cause-and-effect relationships underlying a particular problem.

Standard Deviation (σ)

A statistical measure that indicates the dispersion or variation in a set of values.

SIPOC

Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, Customers; a tool used to map processes at a high level.

Cost of Poor Quality (CoPQ)

The costs associated with defects in a process, including internal and external failure costs.

Cost of Quality (CoQ)

Total costs incurred to ensure good quality, including prevention, appraisal, and costs of poor quality.

Six Sigma

A methodology for process improvement that reduces variation and defects, enhancing customer satisfaction and profitability.

DMAIC

Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control; a structured approach to improving existing processes.

DMADV

Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify; a methodology used to design or redesign processes to meet customer needs.

Critical to Quality (CTQ)

The specific characteristics or requirements that a product or service must have to meet customer expectations.

Voice of the Customer (VOC)

Feedback from customers about their needs and expectations, used to guide improvements in products and services.

Defects per Million Opportunities (DPMO)

A key Six Sigma metric that measures the number of defects in a process per 1,000,000 opportunities.

The Pareto Principle

The principle that suggests 80\% of effects come from 20\% of causes, often used to prioritize problem-solving efforts.

5 Whys

A root cause analysis tool used to explore the cause-and-effect relationships underlying a particular problem.

Standard Deviation (\sigma)

A statistical measure that indicates the dispersion or variation in a set of values.

SIPOC

Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, Customers; a tool used to map processes at a high level.

Cost of Poor Quality (CoPQ)

The costs associated with defects in a process, including internal and external failure costs.

Cost of Quality (CoQ)

Total costs incurred to ensure good quality, including prevention, appraisal, and costs of poor quality.

Fishbone Diagram (Ishikawa)

A visualization tool for categorizing the potential causes of a problem in order to identify its root causes.

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)

A systematic method for evaluating a process to identify where it might fail and to assess the relative impact of those failures.

Poka-yoke

A Japanese term meaning "mistake-proofing"; any mechanism in a process that helps an equipment operator avoid mistakes.

Black Belt

A professional who leads Six Sigma improvement projects and provides training and coaching to other team members.

Gemba

A Japanese term meaning "the actual place," referring to the location where the work is performed and value is created.

Value Stream Mapping (VSM)

A lean-management method for analyzing the current state and designing a future state for the series of events that take a product or service from its beginning through to the customer.

Six Sigma

A methodology for process improvement that reduces variation and defects, enhancing customer satisfaction and profitability.

DMAIC

Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control; a structured approach to improving existing processes.

DMADV

Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify; a methodology used to design or redesign processes to meet customer needs.

Critical to Quality (CTQ)

The specific characteristics or requirements that a product or service must have to meet customer expectations.

Voice of the Customer (VOC)

Feedback from customers about their needs and expectations, used to guide improvements in products and services.

Defects per Million Opportunities (DPMO)

A key Six Sigma metric that measures the number of defects in a process per 1,000,000 opportunities.

The Pareto Principle

The principle that suggests 80\% of effects come from 20\% of causes, often used to prioritize problem-solving efforts.

5 Whys

A root cause analysis tool used to explore the cause-and-effect relationships underlying a particular problem.

Standard Deviation (\sigma)

A statistical measure that indicates the dispersion or variation in a set of values.

SIPOC

Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, Customers; a tool used to map processes at a high level.

Cost of Poor Quality (CoPQ)

The costs associated with defects in a process, including internal and external failure costs.

Cost of Quality (CoQ)

Total costs incurred to ensure good quality, including prevention, appraisal, and costs of poor quality.

Fishbone Diagram (Ishikawa)

A visualization tool for categorizing the potential causes of a problem in order to identify its root causes.

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)

A systematic method for evaluating a process to identify where it might fail and to assess the relative impact of those failures.

Poka-yoke

A Japanese term meaning "mistake-proofing"; any mechanism in a process that helps an equipment operator avoid mistakes.

Black Belt

A professional who leads Six Sigma improvement projects and provides training and coaching to other team members.

Gemba

A Japanese term meaning "the actual place," referring to the location where the work is performed and value is created.

Value Stream Mapping (VSM)

A lean-management method for analyzing the current state and designing a future state for the series of events that take a product or service from its beginning through to the customer.

Green Belt

A professional who works on Six Sigma projects part-time, typically as a member of a team led by a Black Belt.

Yellow Belt

A professional who has basic Six Sigma training and participates as a team member or subject matter expert on projects.

Master Black Belt

An expert responsible for the strategic direction of Six Sigma within an organization, mentoring Black Belts and Green Belts.

Champion

High-level individuals who provide resources and support for Six Sigma projects and ensure they align with business objectives.

Kaizen

A Japanese term for "change for the better," referring to activities that continuously improve all functions and involve all employees from the CEO to the assembly line workers.

Control Chart

A tool used to monitor whether a manufacturing or business process is in a state of statistical control.

Takt Time

The rate at which a finished product needs to be completed in order to meet customer demand.

Process Capability (C{p} / C{pk})

A statistical measure that

Process Capability (C{p}, C{pk})

A statistical measure of the inherent ability of a process to produce output that meets specified limits or customer requirements.

Lean

A systematic approach to identifying and eliminating waste through continuous improvement to optimize flow and value for the customer.

5S

A workplace organization method consisting of five phases: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain.

Kanban

A visual system for managing work as it moves through a process, often using cards or signals to trigger production or replenishment.

Muda

A Japanese term meaning "waste"; specifically, any activity that consumes resources but creates no value for the customer.

The 7 Wastes (TIMWOOD)

Commonly identified wastes in Lean: Transportation, Inventory, Motion, Waiting, Overprocessing, Overproduction, and Defects.

Lead Time

The total time elapsed from the moment a customer places an order until the product or service is delivered.

Cycle Time

The total time it takes to complete a specific task or process step from start to finish.

Pull System

A production control strategy where work is only performed when there is a signal or demand from the downstream customer.

Jidoka

A principle that empowers machines or operators to detect an abnormal condition and stop work immediately to prevent defect production.

Heijunka

A Lean technique for production leveling to reduce unevenness (Mura) in the workload and prevent large fluctuations in production volume.

Andon

A visual management system, such as a light or signal, that notifies management or maintenance of a quality or process problem.

Hoshin Kanri

A strategic planning process that aligns an organization's goals with its resources and ensures consistent focus across all levels.

PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act)

A four-step cycle for continuous improvement involving planning, execution, monitoring, and standardization.

Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)

A metric measuring manufacturing productivity by accounting for Availability, Performance, and Quality: OEE = Availability \times Performance \times Quality.

SMED (Single-Minute Exchange of Die)

A Lean framework for reducing the time it takes to change over production equipment to less than 10 minutes.

Mura

A Japanese term for waste caused by unevenness or inconsistency in a process.

Muri

A Japanese term for waste caused by overburdening people or equipment beyond their natural limits.

Regression Analysis

A statistical method used in the Analyze phase to determine the relationship between an output variable (Y) and one or more input variables (X).

Hypothesis Testing

A statistical method used to evaluate two mutually exclusive statements about a population using sample data to determine which is best supported.