Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Practice Exam

Which of the following is a key element of the visual factory?

1. Poka-yoke

2. SMART goals

3. 5S

4. Takt time

The correct answer is: 5S

The key element of the visual factory is rooted in methods that promote organization, efficiency, and clarity in a manufacturing or production environment. 5S is a systematic approach to workplace organization that focuses on maintaining an orderly environment and improving efficiency through several steps: Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. Each step helps to establish a clean and organized workspace that supports the visual management components of a visual factory. By implementing 5S, organizations enhance visibility of workflow, reduce waste, and ensure that everyone can see the status of work processes and any abnormalities at a glance. While other concepts like Poka-yoke (error-proofing techniques), SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound objectives), and Takt time (the rate at which a product needs to be completed to meet customer demand) are significant in their contexts, they do not encapsulate the overall organizational strategy that 5S represents in creating a visual and efficient workspace. 5S directly contributes to the visual nature of a factory by ensuring that the environment itself communicates necessary information to all team members effectively.