ASQ CQE Certified Quality EngineerExam Exam Practice Test

Bilateral tolerance means that the allowable deviation is specified in both directions from the nominal dimension.

In the provided drawing, the hole dimension is given with an equal tolerance range on both sides, indicating bilateral tolerance.

References: "Engineering Drawing and Design" by David A. Madsen and "Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing" by Alex Krulikowski discuss bilateral tolerances and theirrepresentation in technical drawings.

Maintainability is typically measured in terms of mean time to repair (MTTR). MTTR quantifies the average time required to repair a system or component, reflecting the ease and speed with which maintenance activities can be performed.

A material review board (MRB) gets its authority to act from executive management. The MRB is typically composed of representatives from various departments, including engineering, quality, and production, and is responsible for reviewing and making decisions on non-conforming materials. The authority given by executive management ensures that the MRB has the power to enforce quality standards and make necessary decisions.

A control chart is used to communicate performance data in a time sequence. It is designed to plot data points chronologically to identify trends, variations, and patterns over time, which is essential for process monitoring and improvement. Reference: "Introduction to Statistical Quality Control" by Douglas C. Montgomery, which explains the application and interpretation of control charts in quality control.

When developing a quality information system, the most important factor is understanding and addressing the needs of the end user. This ensures the system is functional, user-friendly, and meets the requirements for which it was designed. End-user needs dictate the system's features, usability, and overall effectiveness. Reference: ISO 9001:2015 - Quality management systems -- Requirements, which emphasizes the importance of customer focus in designing quality management systems.

The Student's t statistic is calculated as follows:

t = (X̄ - μ) / (s / √n)

Given:

Sample mean (X̄) = 515

Population mean (μ) = 500

Sample standard deviation (s) = 9

Sample size (n) = 6

t = (515 - 500) / (9 / √6) = 15 / (9 / 2.45) ≈ 3.73

References:

Montgomery, D.C., & Runger, G.C. (2010). Applied Statistics and Probability for Engineers.Wiley.

NIST/SEMATECH. (n.d.). e-Handbook of Statistical Methods. Retrieved fromhttps://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/handbook/

A laser scanner is a noncontact measurement tool that uses laser technology to measure the dimensions and shape of an object without physically touching it. This is useful for precise measurements where contact might damage the part or alter the measurement.

References:

Jain, R.K. (1994). Engineering Metrology. Khanna Publishers.

ASQ. (n.d.). Measurement System Analysis. Retrieved from https://asq.org/quality-resources/measurement-system-analysis

Concurrent engineering is an approach to product development where multiple phases of the design process are carried out simultaneously to reduce time-to-market and improve product quality.

Concurrent engineering is a systematic approach to integrated product development that emphasizes the parallelization of tasks (i.e., performing tasks concurrently), which contrasts with the traditional sequential engineering design method.

Option B, which is the oval or rounded rectangle shape, indicates a termination point on a flowchart. This symbol is typically used to represent the start or end of a process in flowchart diagrams.References:

ASQ Quality Press: The Certified Quality Engineer Handbook.

Flowcharting Techniques: A Guide to Better Communication of Information by Marvin P. Larkin.

During the closing meeting of an external audit, a critical component is providing an explanation of the findings to ensure that all parties understand the audit results. This step is essential for clarity and sets the stage for discussing potential corrective actions and follow-up activities. Reference: "The ISO 19011:2018 Guidelines for Auditing Management Systems," which outlines the key components of audit closing meetings.

Quality planning focuses on identifying and meeting the needs of the customers. It involves defining quality standards and determining how to achieve them to ensure customer satisfaction.

The appropriate number of class intervals for the construction of a histogram can be estimated using Sturges' rule, which is given by k=1+3.322log⁡10(n)k = 1 + 3.322 \log_{10}(n)k=1+3.322log10​(n), where nnn is the number of observations. For 36 observations:

k=1+3.322log⁡10(36)≈1+3.322×1.556≈6.17k = 1 + 3.322 \log_{10}(36) \approx 1 + 3.322 \times 1.556 \approx 6.17k=1+3.322log10​(36)≈1+3.322×1.556≈6.17

This suggests around 6 intervals, but in practice, the number of intervals often rounded up, hence the appropriate number of class intervals would be 8 for better representation of the data. References:

Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Engineers and Scientists by Sheldon M. Ross.

ASQ Quality Press: The Certified Quality Engineer Handbook.

The quality policy sets the overall intentions and direction of an organization regarding quality, as formally expressed by top management.

It should be developed by the executive level of management to ensure alignment with the company’s strategic goals and to demonstrate commitment to quality.

Involvement of top management ensures that the policy is authoritative and can drive the entire organization towards quality objectives.

References: ISO 9001:2015 and the ASQ "Quality Management Systems Handbook" emphasize the role of top management in developing the quality policy.

To determine the cumulative percent of nonconformities by the end of the third operation using the given data, we sum the percent of nonconformities for the first three operations:

1st operation: 55.0%

2nd operation: 23.3%

3rd operation: 11.7%

Cumulative percent of nonconformities by the end of the third operation = 55.0% + 23.3% + 11.7% = 90.0% Hence, the correct answer is 90.0%.References:

ASQ Certified Quality Engineer Handbook.

Quality Management for Organizational Excellence by David L. Goetsch and Stanley Davis.

A criticality analysis is used to classify or determine the safety and quality characteristics of a product or process. This analysis evaluates the severity, occurrence, and detection of potential failures, helping to prioritize issues that could significantly impact safety and quality.

References:

Stamatis, D.H. (2003). Failure Mode and Effect Analysis: FMEA from Theory to Execution. ASQ Quality Press.

IEC 60812:2018. (2018). Analysis techniques for system reliability – Procedure for failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA).

If a value assigned to a unit is non-numerical, it is described as qualitative. Qualitative data describes attributes or characteristics that do not have a numerical value. Examples include descriptions such as color, type, or category.

References:

Montgomery, D. C. (2017). Design and Analysis of Experiments. John Wiley & Sons.

ASQ (American Society for Quality) - Types of Data: ASQ Glossary

A control chart is used to communicate performance data in a time sequence. It displays data points over time, allowing for the analysis of trends, shifts, and variations in the process. This tool is effective for monitoring process stability and performance. Reference: "Statistical Quality Control" by Eugene L. Grant and Richard S. Leavenworth, which details the use of control charts in quality control processes.

In this scenario, the most appropriate action for the quality engineer is to expedite the review and disposition of the nonconforming material with the Material Review Board (MRB). This approach ensures that the nonconformance is assessed quickly by a team of experts, leading to an informed decision on whether the material can be used or needs further action. This aligns with ISO 9001:2015 requirements for handling nonconforming outputs and ensures that decisions are made based on a thorough review process. Reference: ISO 9001:2015 - Quality management systems -- Requirements, specifically the clauses dealing with nonconforming product management.

Design for robustness focuses on creating products that can perform consistently under a variety of conditions and account for variations in production. By considering the variance in the part's production, the engineer ensures that the product design is tolerant to such variations, thereby making the product more reliable and durable.

References:

Taguchi, G., & Clausing, D. (1990). Robust Quality. Harvard Business Review.

Phadke, M.S. (1989). Quality Engineering Using Robust Design. Prentice Hall.

Control charts are primarily used to monitor process behavior and provide a common language fordiscussing process performance. They help in identifying variation within a process and distinguishing between common cause and special cause variations. While they can suggest areas for further investigation, their primary role is not to identify root causes or decide which products to inspect. Reference: "Quality Control" by Dale H. Besterfield, which details the use and purpose of control charts in process improvement.

A Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) is used to identify and prioritize potential failure modes in a system and their effects. The advantage of FMEA is its ability to communicate risk effectively to different stakeholders, ensuring that everyone is aware of potential issues and their impacts, facilitating better decision-making and risk mitigation.

Work instructions are detailed documents that provide step-by-step guidance on how to perform specific tasks. They should include all necessary information to ensure the task is completed correctly and efficiently.

Work instructions should contain detailed procedures, including the equipment needed to perform the work. This ensures that employees have all the information required to complete their tasks properly.

During a brainstorming session, when dominant members are stifling others, having each team member suggest one idea in turn can ensure that all voices are heard. This structured approach prevents dominant members from monopolizing the discussion and encourages participation from quieter team members.

An Activity Network Diagram, also known as a project network diagram or a PERT (Program Evaluation Review Technique) chart, is a tool used in project management to schedule, organize, and coordinate tasks within a project. It helps in determining the time required to complete a project by identifying the sequence of activities, dependencies, and the critical path, which is essential for determining the total time needed for the installation of a new computer system.

References:

"Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling" by Harold Kerzner.

PMI (Project Management Institute) PMBOK Guide (Project Management Body of Knowledge)

An incidental product characteristic refers to a feature or aspect of a product that exists but is not necessarily intended or required by the customer and does not impact the primary function of the product.

Meets Most but Not All of Its Intended Functions:

Refers to a partially functional product characteristic, not incidental.

Fails to Perform the Intended Function:

Indicates a defective product characteristic.

Causes a Critical Failure:

Refers to a characteristic leading to a critical failure, not incidental.

Is Transparent to the Customer:

An incidental characteristic does not affect the product's primary function or customer satisfaction and may go unnoticed by the customer.

References: Product design and quality engineering principles.

Process capability analysis evaluates how well a process can produce output within specified limits.

It measures the inherent variability of a process relative to its specification limits.

This analysis is valuable for comparing the capabilities of different processes or equipment to ensure they meet required specifications.

It helps in selecting the most appropriate process or equipment by providing quantitative data on their performance.

References: ASQ's "Certified Quality Engineer Handbook" outlines the use of process capability analysis for comparing processes and equipment.

When measurements are taken using a reference scale, such as a pair of calipers, the resulting data are referred to as continuous data. Continuous data can take any value within a given range and are measured on a scale that can be subdivided. This type of data is crucial for precise quality control and statistical analysis in manufacturing and engineering.

To convince management of the need for a quality improvement program, it is most effective to present the size of the problem in terms of potential savings and increased profit. Management is often driven by financial metrics, so quantifying the impact of quality issues and the benefits of improvements in monetary terms will be persuasive. Reference: "Juran's Quality Handbook" by Joseph M. Juran, which emphasizes presenting business cases in financial terms to gain management support for quality initiatives.

Registration to ISO 9001 requires a third-party audit conducted by an accredited certification body.

Third-party audits are independent assessments to verify compliance with the ISO 9001 standard.

These audits ensure that the quality management system meets the requirements and is effectively implemented.

References: ISO 9001 guidelines and certification processes, as detailed in the "ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems – Requirements" document.

Instructing that all employees involved in creating those discrepancies be re-trained is considered a risk treatment. This action addresses the root cause of the non-conformities by improving the skills and knowledge of the employees, thereby reducing the likelihood of future occurrences.

Management commitment is the most crucial aspect of a successful quality improvement effort. Without the active involvement and support of management, quality initiatives are less likely to receive the necessary resources, attention, and prioritization. Management commitment includes setting clear quality goals, providing the required resources, and leading by example to foster a culture of continuous improvement. This ensures that quality improvement is integrated into the organizational strategy and receives ongoing support and reinforcement.

References:

Juran, J.M., & Gryna, F.M. (1993). Quality Planning and Analysis: From Product Development through Use. McGraw-Hill.

Crosby, P.B. (1979). Quality is Free. McGraw-Hill.

Under a defect classification system, a nonconformance that could cause a product's usability to be substantially reduced would be classified as major. Major nonconformances are significant issues that affect the product's functionality, performance, or customer satisfaction but do not pose a safety risk or cause complete failure. Reference: ISO 9001:2015, which includes guidelines for classifying nonconformances based on their impact on product quality and usability.

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is a preventive action methodology used to identify and mitigate potential failures before they occur.

Appraisal:

Involves measuring and evaluating products to ensure they meet quality standards (e.g., inspection and testing).

Prevention:

Involves activities designed to prevent defects from occurring.

FMEA falls under prevention as it proactively identifies potential failure modes and implements measures to mitigate them.

Control:

Involves monitoring processes to maintain quality, but does not directly relate to preventive analysis like FMEA.

Inspection:

Involves examining products or components to ensure they meet specifications, not preventive by nature.

References: Quality management and cost of quality frameworks.

To collect data on the location of each leak on defective tanks, the most appropriate tool is a check sheet. A check sheet allows for the systematic recording and compiling of data, making it easy to identify and locate defects.Reason: A check sheet is used to collect data in a structured manner and is particularly useful for tracking the frequency and location of defects.

In reliability testing, operating an item to stabilize its characteristics is known as burn-in. This process helps in identifying and eliminating early-life failures by running the equipment for a specified period under controlled conditions, thus ensuring more reliable performance in actual use.

The expected number of rejects per sample can be calculated using the reject rate and the sample size. Given a reject rate of 6% (or 0.06) and a sample size of 5:

Expected number of rejects per sample = 0.06 * 5 = 0.3

References:

Montgomery, D.C. (2009). Introduction to Statistical Quality Control. Wiley.

ASQ. (n.d.). Basic Quality Tools. Retrieved from https://asq.org/quality-resources/basic-quality-tools

Risk describes the combination of the severity and probability of occurrence of harm. In the context of quality management, risk assessment involves evaluating both how severe the potential harm could be and the likelihood of it occurring, to manage and mitigate potential failures effectively.References:

Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) by ASQ Quality Press.

ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines.

The fishbone diagram, also known as the Ishikawa or cause-and-effect diagram, is used to identify and evaluate all possible causes of a problem.

It visually organizes potential causes into categories, helping to isolate the most probable ones.

This tool is effective for brainstorming and systematically analyzing the root causes of a quality issue.

References: ASQ's "Quality Toolbox" and Ishikawa's original works on cause-and-effect diagrams.

When an auditor finds a major discrepancy during a pre-award audit of a new supplier, the appropriate action is to include the discrepancy in the final report. This documentation is essential for transparency and for the organization to make informed decisions regarding the supplier. While other actions like verifying corrective actions and investigating the cause are important, they are typically follow-up steps after the discrepancy has been officially recorded.

To find the probability of at least one car starting on a cold morning, we can use the complement rule.

Determine the probability of one car not starting:

Probability of a car starting: P(start)=0.6P(\text{start}) = 0.6P(start)=0.6

Probability of a car not starting: P(not start)=1−0.6=0.4P(\text{not start}) = 1 - 0.6 = 0.4P(not start)=1−0.6=0.4

Determine the probability of neither car starting:

Since the cars are independent, the probability of both cars not starting is: P(both not start)=0.4×0.4=0.16P(\text{both not start}) = 0.4 \times 0.4 = 0.16P(both not start)=0.4×0.4=0.16

Determine the probability of at least one car starting:

P(at least one starts)=1−P(both not start)=1−0.16=0.84P(\text{at least one starts}) = 1 - P(\text{both not start}) = 1 - 0.16 = 0.84P(at least one starts)=1−P(both not start)=1−0.16=0.84

References: Basic principles of probability and complement rule from standard probability texts.

Failing to cite the significant contributions of other individuals in a final manuscript for publication violates the category of "Relations with Peers" in the ASQ Code of Ethics. This category emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and respecting the contributions of colleagues and collaborators in professional work. Proper citation practices are essential for maintaining professional integrity and fostering a collaborative environment within the professional community.References:

ASQ Code of Ethics.

Professional Ethics in Engineering by Mike W. Martin and Roland Schinzinger.

Calculate the degrees of freedom for error:dfError=Total df−Treatment df=24−4=20\text{df}_{\text{Error}} = \text{Total df} - \text{Treatment df} = 24 - 4 = 20dfError​=Total df−Treatment df=24−4=20

Calculate the sum of squares for error:ssError=Total ss−Treatment ss=643−333=310\text{ss}_{\text{Error}} = \text{Total ss} - \text{Treatment ss} = 643 - 333 = 310ssError​=Total ss−Treatment ss=643−333=310

Calculate the mean squares:

MSTreatment=ssTreatmentdfTreatment=3334=83.25\text{MS}_{\text{Treatment}} = \frac{\text{ss}_{\text{Treatment}}}{\text{df}_{\text{Treatment}}} = \frac{333}{4} = 83.25MSTreatment​=dfTreatment​ssTreatment​​=4333​=83.25 MSError=ssErrordfError=31020=15.5\text{MS}_{\text{Error}} = \frac{\text{ss}_{\text{Error}}}{\text{df}_{\text{Error}}} = \frac{310}{20} = 15.5MSError​=dfError​ssError​​=20310​=15.5

Calculate the F-statistic:

F=MSTreatmentMSError=83.2515.5≈5.37F = \frac{\text{MS}_{\text{Treatment}}}{\text{MS}_{\text{Error}}} = \frac{83.25}{15.5} \approx 5.37F=MSError​MSTreatment​​=15.583.25​≈5.37

The P chart, also known as the proportion chart, is used to monitor the proportion of defective items in a process. For leaks in plastic bottles, which are attribute data (defective or not), the P chart is appropriate as it helps track the fraction of defective units over time.

References:

Montgomery, D.C. (2009). Introduction to Statistical Quality Control. Wiley.

ASQ. (n.d.). P Chart. Retrieved from https://asq.org/quality-resources/p-chart