A process has a high number of defects. Before performing root-cause analysis, the team should first:

Question

Options

• AImprove the process immediately
• BValidate the measurement system
• CRun a capability study
• DCreate a control plan

• A
  7% (3)
• B
  80% (35)
• C
  11% (5)
• D
  2% (1)

Explanation

Before trusting the data that shows a high defect count, you must confirm that the measurement system itself is accurate and reliable - this is called Measurement System Analysis (MSA) or a Gauge R&R study. If the measurement system has significant variation or bias, the "high defects" may be a measurement artifact rather than a real process problem, making any root-cause analysis built on that data worthless.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• A (Improve the process immediately): Acting before understanding the root cause is reactive and wastes resources - you may "fix" the wrong thing entirely.
• C (Run a capability study): Capability studies are meaningful only after you've confirmed your measurements are valid; a Cpk calculated from bad measurements is meaningless.
• D (Create a control plan): Control plans come at the end of an improvement cycle (Control phase in DMAIC), not at the start of investigation.

Memory tip: Think "Measure before you manage." In DMAIC, the Measure phase validates the measurement system before Analyze (root cause) begins. When you see "before root-cause analysis," your mind should jump to the Measure phase - and MSA lives there.

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