ASQ Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield ASQ facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which document formally records the results of a software audit, including findings, nonconformances, and corrective actions required? → Software audit report
2. What is the primary goal of lean manufacturing? → Eliminating waste to deliver maximum value to the customer with minimum resources
3. A population's statistical data are referred to as → descriptive statistics
4. Which lean tool is used to visually map the flow of materials and information to identify waste and non-value-added activities? → Value Stream Mapping (VSM)
5. During a first article inspection (FAI), the inspector is verifying that: → The first unit from a new production process meets all design requirements
6. A six sigma team's ability to construct a problem statement through the process of? → achieve consensus and ownership of the process
7. Which of the following BEST describes 'benchmarking' in quality improvement? → Comparing your processes and performance against best-in-class organizations
8. In software testing, what is 'regression testing' primarily designed to ensure? → Previously working functionality has not been broken by recent changes
9. An example of a line graph used to evaluate a process's stability is a → control chart
10. Which of the following is an example of a 'poka-yoke' (mistake-proofing) device? → A USB connector that can only be inserted in one orientation
11. A reliability test places 20 units on test; 4 fail during 1000 hours of testing. Using the time-terminated test, what is the estimated MTBF? → 5,000 hours
12. Which tool from the list below is frequently used in quality function deployment (QFD)? → Matrix diagram
13. What is the primary benefit of using designed experiments (DOE) in process improvement? → Understanding the effect of multiple factors on output simultaneously and efficiently
14. In Design of Experiments (DOE), what is a 'main effect'? → The average change in the response when a factor moves from its low to high level
15. A process has a Cp of 1.5 but a Cpk of 0.8. What does this indicate? → The process has adequate potential but is not centered within the specification limits
16. A test's ability to detect a difference in means is quantified by → 1 − β
17. What is the primary purpose of a check sheet in quality control? → To systematically collect and organize data in real time
18. Which of the following is a key principle of Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Level 3? → Processes are characterized and understood at the organizational level
19. In Tuckman's team development model, during which stage do conflicts and competition among team members typically peak? → Storming
20. What is the primary objective of software hazard analysis in safety-critical systems? → To identify conditions that could lead to unsafe states and mitigate those risks
21. What does the 'Operating Characteristic (OC) curve' in acceptance sampling show? → The probability of accepting a lot at various quality levels
22. An X-bar and R chart shows a run of 8 consecutive points above the centerline. This is an indication of: → A special cause of variation
23. The employee's gender is indicated in one column of a data table (e.g. Male, Female, Undefined). Which measurement unit is being utilized here? → Nominal
24. One advantage of quality is that fewer mistakes can lead to higher → cost savings
25. Which acceptance testing approach involves having actual end-users test the software in their own environment before final release? → Beta testing
26. A process is said to be in a state of statistical control when: → Only common cause variation is present
27. In the PDCA cycle, what is the primary purpose of the 'Check' phase? → Evaluate results of the implemented change against the plan
28. What is the key characteristic of a 'use case' in software requirements documentation? → It captures the functional interactions between an actor and the system to achieve a goal
29. A process has a Cp of 1.5 but a Cpk of 0.8. What does this indicate? → The process is capable but not centered
30. A bearing has a Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) of 500 hours. What is its failure rate (λ)? → 0.002 failures/hour