Posts in category Six Sigma


Six SigmaTerms

Measles Charts

A defect location check sheet (also known as a defect map or a measles chart) is a structured, prepared form for collecting and analyzing data that provides a visual image of the item being evaluated so that data can be collected visually rather than merely collecting a count of the number of defects.

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Six SigmaTerms

Measurement Error

Measurement error is the difference between the actual value of a characteristic being measured and the value obtained by the measurement system. Given that the measurement device is discriminate (sensitive to variation of the product being measured), with each repeat of a measurement, there will be variation. By the way, if no variation is seen, measure with a more discriminate device. There is systemic error and random error. The systemic error occurs when we use the measurement device in the same way and in the same condition. The random error will vary from reading to reading. There can also be variation due to the human element (when applicable).

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Six SigmaTerms

Nominal Scale

The nominal scale is a measurement scale that lists names (categories.) Nominal data is discrete data and there is no particular order with a nominal measurement scale.
Think of going to your favorite fast food restaurant. For example, the restaurant manager might list the first names of the employees, or might list the models of the cars that they drive. These are examples of a nominal measurement scale. You could put the names in alphabetical order, but the names really have no meaning of the rank order. When you think of nominal, think of the word ‘name’ – both start with an ‘N.’

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Six SigmaTerms

Nominal Group Technique

The nominal group technique (NGT) is a decision-making method used by teams to separate the vital few from the trivial many.

Separation of the important items from the not-as-important items can be made using various techniques. One technique is majority rule. The decision made by majority rule is quick, but those in the minority feel alienated because they lose. It is better to get a win-win decision. A popular nominal group technique is to give everyone on the team five votes. Some use Post-it notes where one note equals one vote. Each member can vote on one item and use all of their five votes on that one idea. The team member may choose to split his or her votes among a few different ideas. For example, they might want to put three votes on one idea and two votes on another idea. They might even want to put one vote on each of the five items.

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Six SigmaTerms

Non Value Add

To add value means that three things have occurred.

The process step has changed the form or function of a product or service
The customer is willing to pay for the change
The step is performed correctly the first time.

Any time in the process where value is not added is waste, also known as non-value adding.

There is no use for a non-value adding step, but it is essential that you can see it, reduce it, or completely eliminate it.

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Six SigmaTerms

Normality

The reality in the world is that variation exists. If variation did not exist, if we made a product right the first time, every product would be right the first time. The same would hold for providing a service. But, the reality is that we live in a world where variation does exist and therefore every now and then we will have to deal with a defect, mistake, flaw, or error. Another reality is the variation can be random, meaning that no undue influence is coming from the people, the machinery, the materials, the methods, the measurements, or from the environment. If the variation in a process is random, it is at a state of normality. Other names for normality include common-cause, chance variation, and random variation.

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Six SigmaTerms

Np Chart

The np chart is used when the data can only be whole numbers, as in counting, it is known discrete data (also known as attribute data). Every item in the sample is evaluated for only the number of defects, flaws, or occurrences, etc.

The np chart is used with a fixed sample size where you are counting the number of defectives in the sample. If you remember, the difference between a defect and a defective is this. A defect can be found on an otherwise acceptable product; whereas, a defective means that the whole item is unacceptable.

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Six SigmaTerms

P Chart

The p chart is used when the data can only be whole numbers, as in counting, it is known as discrete (also known as attribute data). Every item in the sample is evaluated for only the number of defects, flaws, or occurrences, etc.

The p chart is used with a varying sample size where you are counting the number of defectives in the sample. If you remember, the difference between a defect and a defective is this.

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Six SigmaTerms

Pareto Chart

Named after the Italian economist Vilfedo Pareto, the Pareto chart is a bar graph used to make visible the vital few vs. the trivial many. Vilfedo recognized that 80% of the wealth in Europe was controlled by 20% of the people. This phenomena in is prevalent in many areas of our lives. In six sigma, there are 20% of the tools that you will use 80% of the time. Think of your tool box at home. Probably 80% of the tools you rarely use. 20% of the tools you use all of the time.

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