Question

Course Six Sigma

4a) What are Critical-to-Quality (CTQ) Characteristics?

4b) What are the elements of SMART?

4c) Name the probabilistic sampling methods.

Answer 1

4a)

Any component, which a customer may perceive, as having an effect on product/ overall process quality, can be considered as CTQ, Critical to Quality.

Example- look of the product, packaging, surface finish, polished colour, zero physically visible defects in a product, accessories, hot rolling/ cold rolling used to make a steel kitchen utensil etc.

It could also be any performance standard, like smart phone 5000 mAh batter capacity, and needs only to be charged once a day with more than average usage for customers.

It could be even be customer service, how employees deal with a customer asking for a repair on product.

4b)

SMART- Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Relevant, Time based

SMART is associated by Goals, to be achieved by individuals or as a team.

Example Product Development team needs to design a portable refrigerator for daily usage. Hence, it needs to be Specific on what is the utility of its product- ‘portable refrigerator’, what are the technical specifications.

Will the performance of portable refrigerator be Measurable in terms of cooling effect and how much.

Is the product design and material quality good enough so that performance is Attainable by product portable refrigerator?

Is it well serving the utility, like minimum space, better cooling effect, zero leaks, is the product finally Relevant to the application?

Can the team design and manufacture in a period of 1 month/ 2 month etc.? so that continuous production can be started? Time Based

4c)

Types of Probability Sampling:

• Simple random sampling- sample population can be assumed or taken randomly, example for research on fast food, you take sample survey population as your friends in college.
• Stratified Random sampling- example for research on fast food, you need to divide your college friends into groups of male & female or Ethnicity and then do survey.
• Cluster random sampling- example for research on fast food, you need to divide a large population of many college students into groups based on different Areas/ City Streets in one city
• Systematic Sampling- you chose every ‘nth’ guy from general population to be your sample, example for research on fast food, you select every 4^th in your college friends list to survey.