Lean Six Sigma Glossary

Terms, Definitions & Links to More Information

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C

C_p

Potential process capability index.

C_p is a process capability metric that compares the width of Voice of the Process (VOP) with the width of the Voice of the Customer (VOC) without reference to centering.

Calculator: C_p & C_pk + Formulas

C_pk

Process capability index.

C_pk is a process capability metric that characterises the overlap of the Voice of the Process (VOP) with the Voice of the Customer (VOC).

Calculator: C_p & C_pk + Formulas

Cycle Time

Cycle time is the time a process or sub-process takes from start to finish.

Definition: Takt Time

D

DMAIC

Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control.

DPMO

Defects Per Million Oportunities.

DPMO is a discrete process capability metric which may be used where process output quality is measured using a binomial labelling (pass or fail).

F

FMEA

See: Failure Modes & Effects Analysis

Failure Modes & Effects Analysis

A process risk analysis that informs process development and improvement. It is used to evaluate potential failure modes and plan risk mitigation for future deployment of the process by assessing the impact (or severity), the frequency (occurence) and the likelihood of detection of these failure modes.

Template: Failure Modes & Effects Analysis (FMEA)

R

RCA

See: Root Cause Analysis

Root Cause Analysis

An advanced, systematic, analytical problem-solving technique which is used to fix complex broken processes without an obvious cause.

This is more powerful but also more complex than the "5 Whys", which is usually sufficient for most problem solving needs.

Template: Root Cause Analysis

S

SIPOC

Supplier, Input, Process, Output, Customer.

SIPOC is a high-level process mapping technique used at the Define project stage to map the scope of the project and define the critical-to-quality process inputs & outputs and help identify process owners, operators, stakeholders and improvement project teams.

Template: SIPOC

SMED

Single Minute Exchange of Die.

The Lean concept of fast changeover, reducing the time of process changeovers, decreasing cycle time and increasing process efficiency and throughput.

Article: What is SMED?

T

Takt Time

Available production time divided by the customer demand during that period. Essential for designing a one-piece flow processes.

$\text{Takt Time} = \frac{T_{a}}{D}$

Where:

$T_{a}$: — Available production time
$D$: — Customer demand during the available production time, in units of production