Six Sigma Black Belt Certified Practice Exam

Which of the following activities is considered value-added?

1. Setup

2. Process

3. Storage

4. Inspection

The correct answer is: Process

Value-added activities are those that enhance the product or service in a way that is recognized by the customer. These activities directly contribute to the final output or provide additional value that justifies the cost incurred. The process itself encompasses actions that transform inputs into outputs, thereby increasing their worth to the customer. In this context, the process activity is deemed value-added because it involves any operation or action that alters the product or service in a manner that customers find beneficial. This transformation is what ultimately delivers value to the customer, as it leads to a final product that meets their needs and expectations. In contrast, activities such as setup, storage, and inspection do not typically add value from the customer's perspective. Setup refers to the preparatory work required to start a process, which may incur costs without directly enhancing the product's value. Storage involves holding inventory, which does not change its value, and can actually increase costs without yielding additional benefits to the customer. Likewise, inspection is primarily a check for quality compliance, which, while important, does not alter the product itself in a way that is recognized as valuable by the end user. Thus, understanding these distinctions helps clarify why the process is classified as value-added, as it is fundamentally about creating and delivering products that meet