Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Practice Exam

A Six Sigma improvement initiative failed to sufficiently improve a process. What improvement method should be employed next?

1. Hold a brainstorming session

2. Develop a control plan

3. Perform a measurement system capability re-analysis

4. Perform a failure modes and effects analysis

The correct answer is: Hold a brainstorming session

When a Six Sigma improvement initiative does not achieve the desired results, it's essential to identify the root causes of the shortcomings and generate new ideas for potential improvements. Holding a brainstorming session can be an effective approach in this context. It encourages team members to freely share their insights and perspectives, which can uncover hidden issues or alternative solutions that were not previously considered. This collaborative effort can lead to innovative ideas and help refine the next steps in the improvement process. While other options may have merits, they serve different purposes. Developing a control plan is typically a step taken after improvements have been made to ensure that the process remains stable and the gains are sustained. Performing a measurement system capability re-analysis focuses on the accuracy and reliability of measurement systems rather than direct process improvement. Conducting a failure modes and effects analysis is a method for identifying potential failures early in the design or process phases, rather than responding to a situation where the improvement initiative has already been implemented but did not succeed. In this scenario, brainstorming is a proactive strategy to generate new improvement ideas to address the issues identified in the failed initiative, making it the most suitable method to employ next.