Six Sigma Black Belt Certified Practice Exam

Which quality management tool helps in identifying potential failure points in a process?

1. Flowchart

2. Fishbone diagram

3. Process FMEA

4. Histogram

The correct answer is: Process FMEA

The Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is specifically designed to identify and assess potential failure points within a process. This tool involves systematically evaluating each step in a process to determine where failures might occur, the causes of those failures, and the effects they could have on the output. By prioritizing these potential failures based on their severity, occurrence, and detectability, teams can implement preventive measures to mitigate risks. In contrast, while a flowchart visually represents a process and its steps, it does not inherently identify potential failures; it is more about understanding process flow. Similarly, the fishbone diagram, also known as an Ishikawa diagram, assists in identifying root causes of problems rather than directly pinpointing where failures might occur. A histogram, on the other hand, is a graphical representation of data distribution and is useful for understanding variability but does not address failure points in the process. Thus, Process FMEA stands out as the best choice for identifying potential failures because it provides a structured approach to analyzing risks within a process, enabling proactive problem-solving and quality improvement.