SIX SIGMA FUNDAMENTALS - Software Design for Six-Sigma: A Roadmap for Excellence - page 167

TABLE 7.3 ( Continued )

Six Sigma Tool Use

Procedural
adherence

It is the process of systematic examination of a quality system carried
out by an internal or external quality auditor or an audit team.

Performance
management

It is the process of assessing progress toward achieving predetermined
goals. It involves building on that process, adding the relevant
communication and action on the progress achieved against these
predetermined goals.

Preventive measure To use risk prevention to safeguard the quality of the product.

Histogram It is a graphical display of tabulated frequencies, shown as bars. It

shows what proportion of cases fall into each of several categories.

Scatterplot It is a type of display using Cartesian coordinates to display values for

two variables for a set of data.

Run chart It is a graph that displays observed data in a time sequence. Run

charts are analyzed to find anomalies in data that suggest shifts in a
process over time or special factors that may be influencing the
variability of a process.

Flowchart Flowcharts are used in analyzing, designing, documenting, or

managing a process or a program in various fields.

Brainstorming It is a group creativity technique designed to generate a large number

of ideas for the solution of a problem.

Pareto chart It is a special type of bar chart where the values being plotted are

arranged in descending order, and it is used in quality assurance.

Cause-and-effect
diagram

It is a diagram that shows the causes of a certain event. A common use
of it is in product design, to identify potential factors causing an
overall effect.

Baselining,
surveying
methods

They are used to collect quantitative information about items in a
population. A survey may focus on opinions or factual information
depending on its purpose, and many surveys involve administering
questions to individuals.

Fault tree analysis
(FTA)

It is basically composed of logic diagrams that display the state of the
system and is constructed using graphical design techniques. Fault
tree analysis is a logical, structured process that can help identify
potential causes of system failure before the failures actually occur.
Fault trees are powerful design tools that can help ensure that
product performance objectives are met.

manufacture of an electronic overcurrent detection circuit were presented (White,
1992). An optimal design from the standpoint of a predictable defect rate is attempted
by studying Y

= f(x 1 ,x 2 ,x 3 , ... x n ), where Y is the current threshold of the detector

circuit and x 1 ,x 2 ,x 3 , x n are the circuit components that go into the detection

circuit. Recording Y and error (deviation from Y) by changing parameter(s) one at
a time using a Monte Carlo simulation technique results in a histogram or forecast
chart that shows the range of possible outcomes and probability of the occurrence of
the outcome. This helps with identification of the critical x(s) causing predominant
variation.

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