Certified Six Sigma Black Belt Exam DMAIC Methodology 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which DMAIC phase involves creating a project charter and identifying the voice of the customer (VOC)?
- Measure
- Define (Correct answer)
- Analyze
- Improve
Correct answer: Define
The Define phase establishes the project scope, goals, and customer requirements through tools like the project charter, SIPOC diagram, and VOC analysis.
Question 2: A Six Sigma team has identified a high defect rate and now wants to establish baseline process capability. Which DMAIC phase are they in?
- Define
- Analyze
- Measure (Correct answer)
- Control
Correct answer: Measure
The Measure phase quantifies the current process performance by collecting data and calculating baseline capability indices such as Cp and Cpk.
Question 3: Which tool is most commonly used in the Analyze phase to visually organize potential causes of a problem?
- Control chart
- SIPOC diagram
- Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram (Correct answer)
- Poka-yoke
Correct answer: Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram
The Fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram, also called a cause-and-effect diagram, is a core Analyze-phase tool used to systematically identify and categorize potential root causes.
Question 4: During which DMAIC phase would a team use Design of Experiments (DOE) to test potential solutions?
- Analyze
- Measure
- Improve (Correct answer)
- Control
Correct answer: Improve
The Improve phase uses tools like DOE to systematically test and optimize solutions, identifying which input variables most significantly affect the output.
Question 5: A process improvement team has implemented a solution and now wants to create a response plan for when the process drifts out of control. Which DMAIC phase applies?
- Improve
- Control (Correct answer)
- Analyze
- Define
Correct answer: Control
The Control phase uses tools like control charts and control plans—including response plans—to sustain gains and ensure the process remains stable over time.
Question 6: What is the primary output of the Analyze phase in a DMAIC project?
- A validated measurement system
- A list of verified root causes (Correct answer)
- An updated control plan
- A revised project charter
Correct answer: A list of verified root causes
The Analyze phase concludes with statistically or logically verified root causes of the problem, which then drive the solution development in the Improve phase.
Certified Six Sigma Black Belt Exam DMAIC Methodology 1
Which DMAIC phase involves creating a project charter and identifying the voice of the customer (VOC)?