
This Six Sigma Glossary provides an overview of commonly used Six Sigma terms and tools.
CAPABILITY INDICES
A mathematical calculation is used to compare the process variation to a specification. Examples are Cp, Cpk. Used to compare processes across businesses
CHAMPION
An upper-level business leader who identifies selects and charters continuous improvement projects and supports the delivery thereof
CONTROL PLAN
A process control document that lists all of the elements required to control variations in a process under study or in routine operation
CONTROL SPECIFICATIONS
Customer requirements for a process under study or in routine operation
COST OF POOR QUALITY (COPQ)
The cost associated with providing poor quality products or services. The cost of not producing first quality for the Customer the first time and every time
CUSTOMER
People process or equipment that receives products or services from you as a supplier. These may be internal of external customers
DEFECT
Any characteristic that deviates outside of customer requirements
DEFECT PER MILLION (DPM)
A quality metric often used in the Lean Six Sigma process. It is calculated by the number of defects observed divided by the number of opportunities for defects compared to 1 million units
DESIGN OF EXPERIMENT (DOE)
A formal, proactive method for experimenting with Xs and Ys. It involves concepts such as factors, levels, center points, blocking, and replications
GAGE ACCURACY
The average difference observed between a gage under evaluation and a master gage when measuring the same parts over multiple readings
GAGE REPEATABILITY
A measure of the variation observed when a single operator uses a gage to measure a group of randomly ordered (but identifiable) parts on a repetitive basis
GAGE REPRODUCIBILITY
A measure of average variation is observed between operations when multiple operators use the same gage to measure a group of randomly ordered (but identifiable) parts on a repetitive basis
GREEN BELT (GB)
Lean Six Sigma role is similar in function to Black Belt but the length of training and project scope are reduced
HISTOGRAM
Vertical display of population distribution in terms of frequencies
PROCESS INPUT VARIABLE
The vital few input variables called “X’s”
PROCESS OUTPUT VARIABLE
The output variable, called “Y”. Usually only one Y is studied at a time
MASTER BLACK BELT (MBB)
A person who is an “expert” on Lean Six Sigma techniques and on project implementation. Master Black Belts play a key role in training and coaching of Black and Green Belts
MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS (MS)
Means of evaluating a continuous or discrete measurement system with the intention of discovering how “good” or “bad” the measurement systems are
MINITAB
Statistical software package that operates in a Windows environment and is the main statistical package used by students
MULTI-VARI ANALYSIS
(Inferential Statistics) Passive data collection method used to display the variation within parts, machines, or processes between machines or process parts, and overtime
NORMAL DISTRIBUTION
A continuous, symmetrical density function characterized by a bell-shaped curve
PROBABILITY
The chance of an event happening or condition occurring by pure chance
PROCESS
The method in which something is manufactured or serviced
PROCESS MAP
A step-by-step pictorial sequence of a process showing process inputs, process outputs, cycle time, decision points, rework operations, and inspection points
PROCESS OWNER
is the individual who accompanies the project work and assists with the implementation of the solution. This individual owns the process and ensures improvements implemented are sustained and continuously improved
PROCESS SPREAD
The range of values that a given process characteristic displays; this term most often applies to the range but may also include the variance. The spread may be based on a set of data collected at a specific point in time or may reflect the variability across a given period of time
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