Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Practice Exam

Which option represents a consequential metric?

1. Cost

2. Defects per unit

3. Labor

4. Cycle time

The correct answer is: Defects per unit

Choosing defects per unit as the consequential metric is accurate because it directly reflects the outcome of the production process or service delivery in terms of quality. This metric indicates the effectiveness of the processes in producing items that meet quality standards and helps identify areas needing improvement. Defects per unit provides a clear measurement of performance, allowing organizations to assess the impact of their process improvements and quality control efforts. It serves as a vital indicator for tracking progress towards quality-related goals and ultimately contributes to customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. In contrast, cost, labor, and cycle time, while important metrics in their own right, do not necessarily convey the consequences of processes regarding quality outcomes as effectively as defects per unit. Cost may vary due to many factors unrelated to quality, labor focuses on resource input rather than output quality, and cycle time represents the duration of processes rather than their success in maintaining standards. These metrics can inform operational efficiency but are not inherently indicative of the quality consequences that defects per unit directly addresses.