Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Practice Exam

What is the focus of the 'Measure' phase in the DMAIC process?

1. Identifying the root cause

2. Defining the problem

3. Quantifying the current process performance

4. Implementing solutions

The correct answer is: Quantifying the current process performance

The 'Measure' phase in the DMAIC process is centered around quantifying the current process performance. This phase involves collecting data that will provide a clear picture of the existing process and how it functions. The focus is on understanding the baseline performance by gathering relevant metrics that characterize the process outputs and identifying any variations. During this stage, tools such as process mapping, control charts, and other statistical methods are commonly employed to quantify process capability. By establishing a baseline, teams can better understand the extent of the issues identified in the earlier phases. This data-driven approach is crucial because it sets the foundation for the subsequent analysis, where the root causes of problems will be identified. In this context, while defining the problem is an important part of the DMAIC process, it primarily occurs in the 'Define' phase. Identifying root causes and implementing solutions are actions taken in the subsequent 'Analyze' and 'Improve' phases, respectively. The 'Measure' phase specifically aims at quantifying performance, ensuring that the team has a comprehensive understanding of how the process is actually performing before moving forward in the improvement cycle.