Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Practice Exam

Which analysis aims to identify possible failures and their consequences in a process?

1. FMEA

2. Fishbone Diagram

3. Control Chart

4. Process Mapping

The correct answer is: FMEA

The focus of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is to systematically evaluate potential failures in a process. This analysis identifies different ways a process could fail, assesses the potential consequences of each failure, and prioritizes them based on their severity, likelihood of occurrence, and detectability. The goal of FMEA is to proactively address these risks by implementing actions to mitigate or eliminate the identified failures, thus improving the overall reliability and safety of the process. In contrast, the Fishbone Diagram is used primarily for identifying root causes of a specific problem rather than analyzing potential failures. Control Charts monitor process variation over time and help in identifying trends or shifts but do not specifically focus on potential failures. Process Mapping visually outlines the steps in a process to aid in understanding and improving it, rather than specifically identifying possible failures and consequences. This distinction reinforces why FMEA is the appropriate choice for identifying risks in a process.