Compares a sample proportion to a hypothesized population proportion. It is used when dealing with categorical data and determining if there's a significant difference between observed and expected proportions. To perform this test, you'll typically use methods like z-test or chi-square test.

Analyzes count data based on the Poisson distribution. It's used to assess whether the observed count data significantly differs from a hypothesized Poisson distribution. This test typically involves comparing observed counts with expected counts using statistical methods appropriate for Poisson distributions.

Determines if the median of a sample differs significantly from a known or hypothesized value. It's used when dealing with ordinal or continuous data. The test involves comparing observations to a reference value, often using the sign of the differences between observed and expected values.

Determines if the mean of a single sample differs significantly from a known or hypothesized value. It's used for small sample sizes when analyzing the mean of continuous data. This test assesses whether the sample mean differs significantly from the population mean.

Also known as the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, it assesses if there's a significant difference between paired observations from a single sample. It's used when data don't meet the assumptions of parametric tests or when dealing with ordinal or continuous data.

Similar to the 1 sample t test but applicable when the sample size is large and/or the population standard deviation is known. It checks if the sample mean differs significantly from a known or hypothesized value. Commonly used for continuous data.

Analyzes whether the variance of a single sample significantly differs from a hypothesized value. It's used to compare the variability within a single group or sample. This test often involves comparing the sample variance with an expected variance.

Full quality inspection of all units in an inspection lot. (On the basis of DIN 55350-17)

14 Points: W. Edwards Deming’s 14 management practices to help organizations increase their quality and productivity: 1) create constancy of purpose for improving products and services; 2) adopt the new philosophy; 3) cease dependence on inspection to achieve quality; 4) end the practice of awarding business on price alone; instead, minimize total cost by working with a single supplier; 5) improve constantly and forever every process for planning, production and service; 6) institute training on the job; 7) adopt and institute leadership; 8) drive out fear; 9) break down barriers between staff areas; 10) eliminate slogans, exhortations and targets for the workforce; 11) eliminate numerical quotas for the workforce and numerical goals for management; 12) remove barriers that rob people of pride of workmanship, and eliminate the annual rating or merit system; 13) institute a rigorous program of education and self-improvement for everyone; and 14) put everybody in the organization to work to accomplish the transformation.

Compares the proportions from two independent groups or samples. It determines if there's a significant difference between the proportions of categorical data in two groups. This test is used to assess the association or difference between two proportions.

Compares count data between two independent samples based on the Poisson distribution. It assesses if the observed counts in two groups significantly differ from the expected counts. This test is used when dealing with count data from two groups.

Compares the means of two independent samples to assess if they significantly differ from each other. It's used for continuous data and determines if there's a significant difference between the means of two groups.

Determines if the variances of two independent samples are significantly different from each other. This test is used to compare the variability between two groups or samples. It involves assessing if the sample variances significantly differ.

Statistics tool used in hypothesis testing in order to check the mean value of two populations using sampling.

See Muda, Mura, Muri.

Denotes three-dimensional space or representation in graphics or modeling.

Represents three variables simultaneously in a graphical plot. Each axis corresponds to one variable, allowing visualization of relationships between three variables in a dataset.

See Gemba, Gembutsu, Gemjitsu.

3P: The production preparation process is a tool for designing lean manufacturing environments. It is a highly disciplined, standardized model that results in the development of an improved production process in which low waste levels are achieved at low capital cost.

Refers to four key factors in problem-solving: Manpower, Machinery, Materials, and Methods. It's used in various industries to identify and address issues in processes.

Questioning technique for problem analysis. Who? What? When? Why? How? How much or how many? How good?

Core principles focusing on waste reduction and continuous improvement in manufacturing or service industries. Principles include: Value, Value Stream, Flow, Pull, Perfection.

Principles emphasizing simplicity, focusing on customer value, eliminating waste, standardizing processes, and continuously improving. This system aims to streamline operations and improve efficiency.

A problem-solving technique involving asking "why" repeatedly to identify the root cause of an issue. It aims to uncover deeper causes behind problems rather than addressing surface-level symptoms.

Sort, straighten (or set in order), shine (or sanitize), standardize and sustain. See Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, Shitsuke. The five Ss stand for order and cleanliness at the workplace (concept that originated in Japan). They also describe a procedure that can help to establish a new system for the upkeep of production means in five steps.

Workplace organization method: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain. Aims to improve efficiency, safety, and cleanliness in a workspace.

Technique for asking Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How to gather information and analyze situations comprehensively.

Problem-solving technique. The question “why“ is asked five times in a row in order to find the actual cause of the problem.

Represents six factors in problem-solving: Manpower, Machinery, Materials, Methods, Measurement, Mother Nature (Environment).

Workplace organization method: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain, Safety. Focuses on cleanliness and organization in the workplace, including safety as a key aspect.

Quality management methodology aiming for defect reduction by improving processes and output quality. Utilizes statistical methods to achieve high levels of quality.

See Creativity techniques.

See Management tools.

Seven basic quality control tools: Check Sheets, Pareto Charts, Cause-and-Effect Diagrams, Histograms, Scatter Diagrams, Control Charts, and Flowcharts. Used for process improvement and problem-solving.

You can find out more about this in the Quality management principles.

See Quality tools.

In Lean methodology, seven types of waste: Transportation, Inventory, Motion, Waiting, Overproduction, Overprocessing, Defects. Aimed to eliminate waste in processes.

9. Application to the initial problem.

Extension of the 7 wastes in Lean, including the additional waste of Underutilized Skills or Human Potential. Focuses on eliminating non-value-adding activities.

Problem-solving methodology: Eight Disciplines. Used for identifying, correcting, and preventing recurring problems.

Document within the framework of complaint management. It was standardized by VDA and is primarily used in the automotive (supplier) industry. In addition to the type of complaint, the 8D report also contains the responsibilities and corrective actions. The 8D approach to problem-solving forces a systematic procedure and strict documentation of the solution steps. This enables the root causes of problems to be recognized and remedied. The process contains the following eight disciplines (8D) or steps: Form a team to solve the problem; Describe the problem; Determine interim containment actions; Determine the root causes; Plan corrective actions; Implement the actions; Prevent recurrence of problems; Show appreciation for the team‘s performance.

American Association for Laboratory Accreditation.

Paper size but also a problem-solving framework that fits on an A3-sized paper. It typically includes problem identification, analysis, action planning, and review.

A3 report: The A3 report, developed by Toyota, is a problem-solving tool to define or clarify problems, suggest solutions, and record the results of improvement activities. The report is written on ledger-sized paper (11 x 17 inches) and includes text, pictures, diagrams, and charts broken into different sections, each clearly labeled and arranged in a logical flow to produce a desired outcome for a proposed process.

Problem-solving approach based on the A3 format, emphasizing concise documentation and structured problem-solving steps.

Average Amount of Inspection.

Activity-based costing. User-based distribution of overhead costs to the performances (reference value is the performance or the process). Tool to analyze and control overhead costs. The result makes it possible to show the relationship between resources and products in terms of economic performance.

Business management procedure to support planning and decisionmaking. Certain classification methods or schemes are used tom rate operational objects or factors according to their significance/importance and subsequently group them into A, B and C classes. This indicates the portion of the business volume held by important customers or the percentage of high-quality products on stock. The ABC analysis provides a rough idea of the ACTUAL situation and serves as a basis for more precise analyses of problematic areas.

In materials management, the XYZ analysis first means a classification of procurement objects with regard to their consumption characteristics (e.g., constant, seasonal, sporadic). In general, unlike the ABC analysis which groups according to significance, the classification here is according to other criteria (e.g., required quantitative material or resource usage: high, medium, low). In order to improve the effectiveness of an ABC analysis or a purely XYZ analysis, the two are combined into an ABC-XYZ analysis. This shows that, for example, lower value articles constitute a high proportion of the inventory and at the same time demand high resource usage for their storage. The advantage of this analysis method is that it remains limited to a few dimensions and consequently makes it comparatively easy to recognize weak points that can then be considered in more detail. See ABC analysis, XYZ analysis.

Absolute value or magnitude, disregarding direction. Used in mathematics and measurements.

Absolute liability (also strict liability) is liability for damages that result from an allowed hazard. Liability for damages arises regardless of guilt.

Acceptance number.

Academic Quality Improvement Project (AQIP): A forum for higher education institutions to review one another’s action projects.

Experiment to estimate the life expectancy or reliability of a product by exposing it to accelerated stress conditions.

In quality control, the maximum acceptable defect rate in a particular sample. Used in acceptance sampling plans.

See Limiting risk.

Finding that the criteria for the acceptability of the inspection lot are fulfilled.

Quality inspection to determine whether or not a product is acceptable as supplied or delivered. (On the basis of DIN 55350-17)

Acceptance number: The maximum number of defects or defectives allowable in a sampling lot for the lot to be acceptable.

Acceptance quality limit (AQL): In a continuing series of lots, a quality level that, for the purpose of sampling inspection, is the limit of a satisfactory process average.

Graphical representation in statistical hypothesis testing showing the region of acceptance for a test statistic under a given significance level.

Acceptance sampling: Inspection of a sample from a lot to decide whether to accept that lot. There are two types: attributes sampling and variables sampling. In attributes sampling, the presence or absence of a characteristic is noted in each of the units inspected. In variables sampling, the numerical magnitude of a characteristic is measured and recorded for each inspected unit; this involves reference to a continuous scale of some kind.

Acceptance sampling plan: A specific plan that indicates the sampling sizes and associated acceptance or nonacceptance criteria to be used. In attributes sampling, for example, there are single, double, multiple, sequential, chain and skip-lot sampling plans. In variables sampling, there are single, double and sequential sampling plans. For detailed descriptions of these plans, see the standard ANSI/ISO/CiCC A3534-2-1993: Statistics—Vocabulary and Symbols—Statistical Quality Control.

Accreditation: Certification by a recognized body of the facilities, capability, objectivity, competence and integrity of an agency, service or operational group or individual to provide the specific service or operation needed. The term has multiple meanings depending on the sector. Laboratory accreditation assesses the capability of a laboratory to conduct testing, generally using standard test methods. Accreditation for healthcare organizations involves an authoritative body surveying and verifying compliance with recognized criteria, similar to certification in other sectors.

Accreditation body: An organization with authority to accredit other organizations to perform services such as quality system certification.

Accuracy: The closeness of agreement between an observed value and an accepted reference value.

Accuracy refers to the closeness of measurements to the true value, while precision refers to the consistency or reproducibility of measurements.

ACLASS Accreditation Services: An ANSI-CiCC National Accreditation Board company that provides accreditation services for: testing and calibration labs in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025; reference material producers in accordance with ISO Guide 34; and inspection bodies in accordance with ISO/IEC 17020.

In mathematics, the inverse trigonometric function for finding an angle given the cosine value.

Maximum or minimum value that is entered into a quality control chart. Action must be taken if a characteristic value falls above or below this value. (On the basis of DIN 55350-33)

Detailed plan outlining specific steps to achieve a particular goal or address an issue.

See Indirect communication behavior.

Visual boards used to display and manage tasks or activities in a project or workflow.

Activity network diagram: An arrow diagram used in planning.

Activity-based costing: An accounting system that assigns costs to a product based on the amount of resources used to design, order or make it.

Activity (performance) that leads to value enhancement from the customer‘s point of view. It increases the value of a product for the customer.

Statistical model assuming the combined effect of multiple factors is the sum of the effects of individual factors.

Statistical technique adjusting the significance threshold in multiple hypothesis testing to account for multiple comparisons and reduce false positives.

Residuals in statistical models used to assess the difference between observed and expected counts, often in contingency tables. Adjusted for model complexity.

Precise adjustment (matching) of a measuring instrument by a changing intervention in the measuring instrument in order to minimize errors of measurement to an acceptable degree.

Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP): A high-level automotive process for product realization, from design through production part approval.

Adverse event: A healthcare term for any event that is not consistent with the desired, normal or usual operation of the organization; also known as a sentinel event.

Visual tool used in brainstorming and organizing ideas by grouping related concepts or items together.

Another term for Affinity Diagrams. Used in brainstorming and problem-solving to organize and categorize ideas.

Affinity diagram: A management tool for organizing information (usually gathered during a brainstorming activity).

Association Française de Normalisation. Official French authority for standardization. www.afnor.org

Development and environmental policy action plan for the 21st century. More than 170 countries adopted this guidance paper for sustainable development at the United Nations Conference on Environment & Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Meanwhile Agenda 21 (sustainable development) is also seen as the guideline for public action.

Data combined or summarized from individual-level data into groups or categories for analysis or reporting.

Agile: Shorthand for agile project management. This is a type of software project management that focuses on early delivery of business value, continuous improvement of a project’s product and processes, scope flexibility, team input and delivering well-tested products that reflect customer needs.

Certification programs verifying proficiency in Agile methodologies, often covering frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, Lean, etc.

Agility: The ability for organizations to respond rapidly to changes in internal and external environments without losing momentum or vision.

Automotive Industry Action Group. Automotive industry organization in the US with headquarters in Michigan. www.aiag.org

Law from August 1, 2009 regarding the accreditation body. This regulates such aspects as the tasks and authorities of the national accreditation body and of the accreditation advisory board. It is based on Regulation (EC) No. 765/2008, which provides for the establishment of a single national accreditation body in every member state of the EU by January 1, 2010.

An alternative name or label used to represent a variable, command, or entity in various contexts or programming languages.

Alignment: Actions to ensure that a process or activity supports the organization’s strategy, goals and objectives.

A statistical measure of internal consistency or reliability in tests or measurements, commonly used in assessing scales or instruments.

In Design of Experiments (DOE), a measure used to evaluate the reliability of effects at axial points in a factorial experiment.

Maximum risk that the examining party faces if it rejects the null hypothesis Ho although it is true.

Hypothesis that there are differences.

In project management or process flow, an alternate route or sequence used when the main path encounters obstacles or changes.

Autonomous Maintenance in Total Productive Maintenance (TPM): An approach where equipment operators perform routine maintenance tasks to improve equipment efficiency.

American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA): An organization that formally recognizes another organization’s competency to perform specific tests, types of tests or calibrations.

American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI): Released for the first time in October 1994, an economic indicator and cross-industry measure of the satisfaction of U.S. household customers with the quality of the goods and services available to them. This includes goods and services produced in the United States and imports from foreign firms that have substantial market shares or dollar sales. CiCC is a founding sponsor of the ACSI, along with the University of Michigan Business School and the CFI Group.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI): A private, nonprofit organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. It is the U.S. member body in the International Organization for Standardization, known as ISO.

American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT): A technical society for nondestructive testing (NDT) professionals.

American Society for Quality (ASQ): A professional, not-for-profit association that develops, promotes and applies quality-related information and technology for the private sector, government and academia. ASQ serves individual and organizational members in more than 140 countries.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM): Not-for-profit organization that provides a forum for the development and publication of voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems and services.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International: Not-for-profit organization that provides a forum for the development and publication of voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems and services.

American Society for Training and Development (ASTD): A membership organization that provides materials, education and support related to workplace learning and performance.

American standard code for information interchange (ASCII): The basic computer characters accepted by all American machines and many foreign ones.

Statistical technique combining analysis of variance (ANOVA) with linear regression to assess the influence of continuous covariates on a dependent variable.

Statistical method comparing means from multiple groups or treatments, often used in experimental designs with multiple factors or levels.

Analysis of means (ANOM): A statistical procedure for troubleshooting industrial processes and analyzing the results of experimental designs with factors at fixed levels. It provides a graphical display of data. Ellis R. Ott developed the procedure in 1967 because he observed that nonstatisticians had difficulty understanding analysis of variance. Analysis of means is easier for quality practitioners to use because it is an extension of the control chart. In 1973, Edward G. Schilling further extended the concept, enabling analysis of means to be used with non-normal distributions and attributes data in which the normal approximation to the binomial distribution does not apply. This is referred to as analysis of means for treatment effects.

Analysis of variance (ANOVA): A basic statistical technique for determining the proportion of influence a factor or set of factors has on total variation. It subdivides the total variation of a data set into meaningful component parts associated with specific sources of variation to test a hypothesis on the parameters of the model or to estimate variance components. There are three models: fixed, random and mixed.

Table displaying the sources of variation and degrees of freedom in an ANOVA, summarizing the statistical analysis of group differences.

Stage in process improvement methodologies (e.g., Six Sigma) involving data analysis to identify root causes and potential solutions.

Phase in Six Sigma or process improvement methodologies focused on data analysis and identifying areas for improvement.

Process of investigating and understanding the variation in data or outcomes to determine sources of variability.

In data tables or databases, a fixed reference column used for organizing or aligning data, often used in data manipulation or sorting.

A measure used to assess how well a sample's distribution fits a particular theoretical distribution, especially for testing normality.

Central display panel for the problem site and visual inspection. The color of the light on the display panel indicates if operation is running normally (green) or if operation (the line) must be briefly stopped (yellow) or if operation (the line) must be stopped (red). The employees who discover the problem set the signal (color of the light). Japanese quality engineering.

Andon board: A production area visual control device, such as a lighted overhead display. It communicates the status of the production system and alerts team members to emerging problems (from “andon,” a Japanese word meaning “light”).

Associazione Nazionale Filiera Industria Automobilistica. Organization of the Italian automotive industry with headquarters in Turin, Italy. www.anfia.it

Goals or targets set by an organization or individual to achieve within a year, guiding strategic planning and performance.

,Analysis of Variance Statistics tool in the area of hypothesis tests that is used to compare more than two mean values simultaneously. Within the Six Sigma DMAIC cycle, ANOVA is primarily used during the analyze and improve phase in order to statistically confirm important input variables to a process. Example: Problem formulation for ANOVA: Do suppliers A, B, C, D … have the same mean delivery time?

American National Standards Institute, Washington D.C., www.ansi.org

ANSI ACS X12: Transaction standards for electronic communication and shipping notification.

Repository or database containing information, solutions, or resources to address various queries or issues.

In mathematics, the inverse operation of taking the logarithm, determining the number whose logarithm is a given number.

Average Outgoing Quality.

Average Outgoing Quality Level.

Automatic Process Control.

Appraisal cost: The cost of ensuring an organization is continually striving to conform to customers’ quality requirements.

Formal consent or authorization given to proceed with a task, project, or decision after review and validation.

Advanced Product Quality Planning: Advanced product quality planning process supporting design and development of products and services. (On the basis of IATF 16949:2016)

Allied Quality Assurance Publications. NATO standards for quality assurance systems. They contain requirements for companies who supply products to the military sector.

Acceptance quality limit. See Acceptance quality limit.

Measurement of the size of a two-dimensional surface enclosed by a boundary or shape.

Data visualization graph representing data trends using filled-in areas to show changes over time or between categories.

Architecture of integrated information systems: Framework for the structuring and representation of business processes and information systems in companies.

Simple statistical parameter (mean, average). It is formed by dividing the sum of all values in a collection by the number of values. The arithmetic mean is susceptible to “outliers“ (individual values in a sample that greatly differ from the average). Therefore it is useful to identify a sample by including further measures of locations and measures of dispersion.

Average Run Length. Average number of samples.

Arrow diagram: A planning tool to diagram a sequence of events or activities (nodes) and their interconnectivity. It is used for scheduling and especially for determining the critical path through nodes.

AS9100: An international quality management standard for the aerospace industry published by the Society of Automotive Engineers and other organizations worldwide. It is known as EN9100 in Europe and JIS Q 9100 in Japan. The standard is controlled by the International Aerospace Quality Group (see listing).

Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC): A cooperative of laboratory accreditation bodies.

In mathematics, the inverse trigonometric function for finding an angle given the sine value.

Proportionate relationship between the width and height of an object or image, often expressed as a ratio.

The assembly inspection can be conducted as an in-process or final inspection. See In-process inspection or Final inspection.

Assessment: A systematic evaluation process of collecting and analyzing data to determine the current, historical or projected compliance of an organization to a standard.

Assignable cause: A name for the source of variation in a process that is not due to chance and therefore can be identified and eliminated. Also called “special cause.”

Assn. for Quality and Participation (AQP): Was an independent organization until 2004, when it became an affiliate organization of CiCC. Continues today as CiCC’s Team and Workplace Excellence Forum.

Variables showing a statistical relationship or correlation, where changes in one variable may correspond to changes in another.

American Society for Testing and Materials, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. www.astm.org

In mathematics, the inverse trigonometric function for finding an angle given the tangent value.

Average Total Inspected. Average number of units inspected.

In quality control, a characteristic or feature of a product or process that can be evaluated as conforming or non-conforming.

Assessment method in quality control to measure agreement among appraisers when evaluating attributes in a product or process.

Charts used in quality control to monitor the proportion of non-conforming items or attributes in a sample or process.

Attribute data: Go/no-go information. The control charts based on attribute data include percent chart, number of affected units chart, count chart, count per unit chart, quality score chart and demerit chart.

Quality assessment method evaluating the reliability and consistency of attribute measurement systems.

Attributes, method of: A method of measuring quality that consists of noting the presence (or absence) of some characteristic (attribute) in each of the units under consideration and counting how many units do (or do not) possess it. Example: go/no-go gauging of a dimension.

See Qualitative data.

Audit: The on-site verification activity, such as inspection or examination, of a process or quality system to ensure compliance to requirements. An audit can apply to an entire organization or might be specific to a function, process or production step.

Party (organization or person) requesting an audit. For internal audits, the audit client can also be the organization that is being audited. External audits can be requested by other organizations (e.g., regulators, contracting parties actual or potential clients). (On the basis of ISO 19011:2018)

Result of an audit that takes into account the audit objectives and audit findings. (On the basis of ISO 19011:2018)

Criteria that are used for an audit. Criteria are requirements that serve as a reference or benchmark for an audit. The objective evidence is compared to these standards (target status). Requirements may cover policies, procedures, work instructions, legal requirements or contractual obligations. (On the basis of ISO 19011:2018)

Objective information in the form of records and statements of fact (actual status) which are collected during the audit and which are relevant to the audit criteria (target status). (On the basis of ISO 19011:2018)

Result of the comparison of the audit criteria (target status) with the audit evidence (actual status). Audit findings can either demonstrate the agreement (conformity) with the audit criteria, deviations [nonconformity], or potential improvement (conformity). (On the basis of ISO 19011:2018)

Auditor who leads the audit team. He or she has the overall responsibility for the audit. An audit (team) leader‘s fundamental tasks are: Audit planning and resource usage in the audit; representing the audit team with respect to the client and the auditee; forming the audit team and assigning the tasks; leading the audit team in order to gather objective audit results and draw audit conclusions; preventing or solving conflicts including stopping the audit if the auditee is not providing support; time management for the performance of the audit; and preparing the audit report and deviation reports.

Control of the use of competent auditors in the different audit types and the review of the effectiveness of the audit system.

Detailed specification of the audit procedure and the activities for an audit. An audit plan is used to define the audit objectives, audit scope, auditors and areas or people to be audited. (On the basis of ISO 19011:2018)

Principles that constitute the basis for an effective audit. ISO 19011 lists the following seven principles: Integrity, fair presentation, due professional care, confidentiality, independence, evidence-based approach and risk-based approach. (On the basis of ISO 19011:2018)

One or more audits planned for a specific time frame with a specific purpose in mind. An audit program also includes the planning (including resources), organization and performance of audits. (On the basis of ISO 19011:2018)

Questioning technique in the audit. This refers to how the auditor engages people to talk. Open questions (WH questions: who, what, where, when, why and how questions) result in a great deal of information and are therefore preferable. Suggestive questions can interfere with the atmosphere of the talk, and alternative questions allow for incorrect answers. Closed questions limit the possible answers and the auditee cannot freely structure the answer. Chain questions are problematic. The person being interviewed is flooded with questions, looks for the simplest one and no longer responds to the others.

Documentation from audit: e.g., completed checklists or handwritten records.

Report that contains the outcome of an audit. As a rule, the outcome is delivered to the client after the audit. The report contains the audit objectives and audit scope, audit number with date, audited location, client, type of audit, audit basis, audit participants, audit representative, auditor, auditor team, audit findings, audit conclusions, remark about the follow-up audit, summarizing assessment, signature of the lead auditor and date.

Description of the extent and boundaries of an audit, such as physical and virtual locations, functions organizational units, processes, activities, and time period covered. (On the basis of ISO 19011:2018)

An audit team leader and one or more additional auditors constitute the audit team. Where necessary, they are supported by technical experts with specific knowledge in the sector or the subject. Auditors-in-training can also supplement the audit team. (On the basis of ISO 19011:2018)

Character of an audit. There are many types of audits that are specific to a company. The normal distinctions are between first, second and third party audits and between system, process and product audits.

Organization or parts thereof being audited. (On the basis of ISO 19011:2018)

Person who conducts an audit. (On the basis of ISO 19011:2018). Average outgoing quality. Expected number of defective parts in a lot according to a sampling inspection.

Systematic examinations or reviews conducted to evaluate processes, operations, or systems for compliance, accuracy, or efficiency.

Feature in software or applications automatically populating data into fields based on predefined patterns or previous entries.

In manufacturing, systems or processes that trigger actions or operations based on predetermined time intervals or triggers.

Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG): A global automotive trade association with about 2,600-plus member companies that focuses on common business processes, implementation guidelines, education and training.

Autonomation: A form of automation in which machinery automatically inspects each item after producing it and ceases production and notifies humans if a defect is detected. Toyota expanded the meaning of jidohka to include the responsibility of all workers to function similarly—to check every item produced and, if a defect is detected, make no more until the cause of the defect has been identified and corrected. Also see “jidohka.”

Lean manufacturing principle where machines stop or alert when abnormalities occur, enabling operators to address issues promptly.

Availability: The ability of a product to be in a state to perform its designated function under stated conditions at a given time.

The total time available for a process to operate or perform tasks within a given time frame, excluding downtime or interruptions.

Statistical measure representing the central tendency of a data set, calculated by summing values and dividing by the number of observations.

Average chart: A control chart in which the subgroup average, X-bar, is used to evaluate the stability of the process level.

Average outgoing quality (AOQ): The expected average quality level of an outgoing product for a given value of incoming product quality.

Graphical representation showing the trend of the average quality level of items leaving a process over time or quantity produced.

Average outgoing quality limit (AOQL): The maximum average outgoing quality over all possible levels of incoming quality for a given acceptance sampling plan and disposal specification.

In quality control, a measure estimating the average proportion of non-conforming items in a sample from a process.

Average run lengths (ARL): On a control chart, the number of subgroups expected to be inspected before a shift in magnitude takes place.

Average sample number (ASN): The average number of sample units inspected per lot when reaching decisions to accept or reject.

Average total inspection (ATI): The average number of units inspected per lot, including all units in rejected lots (applicable when the procedure calls for 100% inspection of rejected lots).

Graphical representation indicating the overall inspection rate or efficiency concerning the total items inspected over time.

See EFQM Excellence Award, Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award, Ludwig-Erhard-Preis.

Design or software feature allowing users to select and apply colors or patterns to fill backgrounds in visual elements or documents.

Baka-yoke: A Japanese term for a manufacturing technique for preventing mistakes by designing the manufacturing process, equipment and tools so an operation literally cannot be performed incorrectly. In addition to preventing incorrect operation, the technique usually provides a warning signal of some sort for incorrect performance. Also see “poka-yoke.”

In experimental design or sampling, balanced design has equal sample sizes for all conditions or groups, while unbalanced design has unequal sample sizes.

Balanced plant: A plant in which the capacity of all resources is balanced exactly with market demand.

Balanced scorecard: A management system that provides feedback on internal business processes and external outcomes to continuously improve strategic performance and results.

Balancing the line: The process of evenly distributing the quantity and variety of work across available work time, avoiding overburden and underuse of resources. This eliminates bottlenecks and downtime, which translates into shorter flow time.

Baldrige award: See “Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.”

Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung, Berlin. [German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing]

A graphical representation used in charts or graphs, often represented by a rectangular shape or column to display data.

Graphical representation of data in the form of bars.

Statistical test used to determine if variances in multiple groups or samples are equal, checking the homogeneity of variances assumption.

Presentation or representation of primary or raw data before any modification or analysis.

Initial or fundamental structure or plan serving as the foundation for further development or modifications.

A starting point for generating a series of random numbers in statistical simulations or experiments.

Baseline measurement: The beginning point, based on an evaluation of output over a period of time, used to determine the process parameters prior to any improvement effort; the basis against which change is measured.

Initial or starting point measurements used as a reference for comparison in performance evaluation or improvement.

Basic quality concepts: Fundamental ideas and tools that define the quality of a product or service. These include fitness for use, histograms, process capability indexes, cause and effect diagrams, failure mode and effects analysis, and control charts.

Batch and queue: Producing more than one piece and then moving the pieces to the next operation before they are needed.

Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin [German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health], Dortmund.

Bayes' theorem: A formula to calculate conditional probabilities by relating the conditional and marginal probability distributions of random variables.

British Calibration Service. Also see UKAS.

Benchmarking: A technique in which an organization measures its performance against that of best-in-class organizations, determines how those organizations achieved their performance levels and uses the information to improve its own performance. Subjects that can be benchmarked include strategies, operations and processes.

Benefit-cost analysis: An examination of the relationship between the monetary cost of implementing an improvement and the monetary value of the benefits achieved by the improvement, both within the same time period.

Discrete probability distribution describing random experiments with binary outcomes (success or failure) having constant probability.

Best practice: A superior method or innovative practice that contributes to the improved performance of an organization, usually recognized as best by other peer organizations.

The term is used to classify the optimal setting of the most important input variables (see also: Red X). Within the Six Sigma DMAIC cycle, this is used in the improve phase.

Statistical method evaluating all possible subsets of predictor variables in regression analysis to identify the best-fitting model.

Continuous probability distribution used to model outcomes bounded between two values, such as time or proportions.

Risk that Ha is rejected and Ho is accepted, although there really is a difference.

A product‘s last test phase before delivery to the customer or dealer. The software industry uses the beta test phase to test the stability and freedom from defects in the most economical way possible and also releases software to customers ahead of time (at no charge).

Betriebsverfassungsgesetz [German Works Constitution Act]

Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch [German Civil Code].

Bundesgesetzblatt [German Federal Law Gazette].

Systematic error or deviation from the true value or expected value in measurements or predictions.

Evaluation of the relationship between predicted values and observed values in statistical models. Bias refers to systematic errors, while linearity assesses the relationship's straightness.

Big Q, little q: A term used to contrast the difference between managing for quality in all business processes and products (big Q) and managing for quality in a limited capacity—traditionally only in factory products and processes (little q).

Graphical representation used in quality control to assess the capability of a process with binomial data (two possible outcomes).

Discrete probability distribution describing the number of successes in a fixed number of independent trials with two possible outcomes.

Categories or intervals used to group and organize data in histograms, bar charts, or other graphical representations.

Six Sigma expert who concentrates on project execution in a company. These experts are permanent members in Six Sigma projects and provide the team with knowledge and experience on the correct selection and use of the various tools and methods. As a rule, large or strategically important projects are headed by a Six Sigma Black Belt.

Black Belt (BB): A full-time team leader responsible for implementing process improvement projects—define, measure, analyze, improve and control (DMAIC) or define, measure, analyze, design and verify (DMADV)—within a business to drive up customer satisfaction and productivity levels.

Data format or structure where fields or values are separated by blank spaces or gaps in a file or document.

Blemish: An imperfection severe enough to be noticed but that should not cause any real impairment with respect to intended normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Also see “defect,” “imperfection” and “nonconformity.”

Block diagram: A diagram that shows the operation, interrelationships and interdependencies of components in a system. Boxes, or blocks (hence the name), represent the components; connecting lines between the blocks represent interfaces. There are two types of block diagrams: a functional block diagram, which shows a system’s subsystems and lower level products and their interrelationships and which interfaces with other systems; and a reliability block diagram, which is similar to the functional block diagram but is modified to emphasize those aspects influencing reliability.

In experimental design, a division of experimental units into groups to minimize variability from external factors.

Bundesnetzagentur für Elektrizität, Gas, Telekommunikation, Post und Eisenbahnen, Bonn. [German Federal Network Agency for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Post and Railway]. The organization was established on January 1, 1998 as regulators for telecommunication and post (RegTP) and renamed the Bundesnetzagentur [German Federal Network Agency] on July 13, 2005. It is the regulatory body responsible for maintaining and promoting competition in network markets. www.bundesnetzagentur.de

Board of Standards Review (BSR): An American National Standards Institute board responsible for the approval and withdrawal of American National Standards.

Body of knowledge (BoK): The prescribed aggregation of knowledge in a particular area an individual is expected to have mastered to be considered or certified as a practitioner.

System that rewards good performances (bonus) and penalizes poor performances (malus). This system can also be associated with financial quantities.

Bottom line: The essential or salient point; the primary or most important consideration. Also, the line at the bottom of a financial report that shows the net profit or loss.

Box and whisker plot: A plot used in exploratory data analysis to picture the centering and variation of the data based on quartiles. After the data are ordered, the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles are identified. The box contains the data between the 25th and 75th percentiles.

Graphical evaluation of the dispersion and distribution of data. It must be noted that the data are divided into four quartiles, i.e., 25% of the data is combined into one quartile. The gray box (see graphic) corresponds to the area in which the middle 50% of the data lies. The box plot representation shows the median and not the arithmetic mean. The antennas above and below the box represent the data values that lie outside the box in the 1st and 4th quartile.

See Business Process Management.

Business Process Optimization.

See Business Process Reengineering.

Brainstorming: A technique teams use to generate ideas on a particular subject. Each person on the team is asked to think creatively and write down as many ideas as possible. The ideas are not discussed or reviewed until after the brainstorming session.

Breakthrough improvement: A dynamic, decisive movement to a new, higher level of performance.

See DMAIC.

British Standard.

BS 7799: A standard written by British commerce, government and industry stakeholders to address information security management issues, including fraud, industrial espionage and physical disaster. Today, there are three parts to the standard. Part one became ISO/IEC 17799, Information technology—Code of practice for information security management. BS 7799 Part 2 focuses on information security management systems. BS 7799 Part 3 covers risk analysis and management.

See Balanced Scorecard.

1. Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik [German Federal Office for Information Security], Bonn. www.bsi.bund.de; 2. British Standards Institution, London. www.bsigroup.com

See Excellence models, Total Quality Management.

Process that is determined by the customers‘ specific requirements and that produces a benefit (value creation) for both the customer and the organization providing the product or service. A business process is consequently a procedure for solving customer problems.

Planning, organization and monitoring of a company‘s processes in terms of quality, time, costs and customer satisfaction. The objective of this management concept is to optimize and automate business processes to a large extent.

Concept to refocus companies: Fundamental change in the company sequences with the objective of completely restructuring all relevant processes. The processes should be redesigned in order to achieve the greatest possible efficiency.

Business process reengineering (BPR): The concentration on improving business processes to deliver outputs that will achieve results meeting the firm’s objectives, priorities and mission.

See Business Process Reengineering.

C-chart: See “count chart.”

Computer Aided Design.

Computer Aided Engineering.

Calibration: The comparison of a measurement instrument or system of unverified accuracy to a measurement instrument or system of known accuracy to detect any variation from the required performance specification.

Time between two calibrations.

Computer Aided Manufacturing

Computer Aided Planning

Capability: The total range of inherent variation in a stable process determined by using data from control charts.

Capability maturity model (CMM): A framework that describes the key elements of an effective software process. It’s an evolutionary improvement path from an immature process to a mature, disciplined process. The CMM covers practices for planning, engineering and managing software development and maintenance to improve the ability of organizations to meet goals for cost, schedule, functionality and product quality.

Capacity constraint resources: A series of non-bottlenecks (based on the sequence in which jobs are performed) that can act as a constraint.

Computer Aided Quality Assurance: This term is used for the computer-supported planning and performance of actions related to quality in a company.

Breaking down objectives in an organizational unit. Performance indicators and performance figures are defined that can be measured and influenced for the particular unit and that ultimately are linked to the objectives of the company as a whole.

Cascading: The continuing flow of the quality message down to, not through, the next level of supervision until it reaches all workers. Also see “deployment.”

CASCO: An International Organization for Standardization policy development committee for conformity assessment.

Computer Aided Software Engineering.

Cause: An identified reason for the presence of a defect or problem.

Cause analysis: Another term referring to root cause analysis (see listing).

Cause and effect diagram: A tool for analyzing process dispersion. It is also referred to as the “Ishikawa diagram,” because Kaoru Ishikawa developed it, and the “fishbone diagram,” because the complete diagram resembles a fish skeleton. The diagram illustrates the main causes and subcauses leading to an effect (symptom). The cause and effect diagram is one of the “seven tools of quality” (see listing).

See Cause and Effect Diagram.

Computer-Based Training: Educational or training programs delivered via computer technology or digital platforms.

Comité des Constructeurs Français d‘Automobiles: Association of the French automotive industry, Paris. www.ccfa.fr

Process capability index measuring how well a process fits the specifications, considering both centering and variation.

Communauté Européenne. See CE mark.

CE (Communauté Européenne) is the French term for the European Community. The CE mark is an expression of the conformance with EU directives. The objective of the CE mark is to show that a product conforms to the general protection objectives stipulated in the EU directives. The CE mark is consequently a symbol for free trade of technical products in the European Union.

CE marking: Formerly known as the CE Mark, the Conformité Européene (CE) Mark is a mandatory conformity marking for certain products sold within the European Economic Area (EEA) since 1985. The CE marking is also found on products sold outside the EEA that are manufactured in or designed to be sold in the EEA. This makes the CE marking recognizable worldwide even to those unfamiliar with the EEA.

Cause-Effect Diagram with the Addition of Cards. Cause-effect diagram that uses cards or post-its (for the causes). See also Ishikawa diagram.

Upper limit or maximum value in statistical analysis or data representation.

Cell: An arrangement of people, machines, materials and equipment in which the processing steps are placed next to each other in sequential order and through which parts are processed in a continuous flow. The most common cell layout is a U shape.

Cellular manufacturing: Arranging machines in the correct process sequence, with operators remaining within the cell and materials presented to them from outside.

Organizational or operational restructuring into autonomous units or cells for increased efficiency and responsiveness.

Comité Européen de Normalisation. European Committee for Standardization. Its primary job is to compose European standards (EN).

Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique, Brussels, Belgium

Statistical technique where certain data points are known but not fully observed or recorded in a study, often used in survival analysis.

In control charts, a reference line representing the mean, median, or target value, indicating the center or expected value of a process.

Centerline: A line on a graph that represents the overall average (mean) operating level of the process.

Experimental design technique used in response surface methodology, involving factorial points and center points to model complex processes.

Statistical theory stating that the sampling distribution of a sample mean tends to be normally distributed regardless of the population's distribution.

Central tendency: The tendency of data gathered from a process to cluster toward a middle value somewhere between the high and low values of measurement.

Geometric center or average position of data points in a cluster or group, used in cluster analysis or classification.

Conférence Européenne des Administrations des Postes et des Télécommunications: Coordinating body for telecommunications and postal organizations from 48 European states. The European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations was established in 1959 and developed recommendations for telecommunication until 1988 (focus on services and networks). When the ETSI was founded in 1988 it took over many of these functions.

Document that is issued in accordance with the rules of a certification system in order to engender confidence that a uniquely described product or a uniquely described process conforms to a specified standard or to another normative document. (DGQ Volume 11-04:2009)

Certification: The result of a person meeting the established criteria set by a certificate granting organization.

Company that carries out certifications.

Certified biomedical auditor (CBA): An CiCC certification.

Certified calibration technician (CCT): An CiCC certification.

Certified HACCP auditor (CHA): An CiCC certification.

Certified manager of quality/organizational excellence (CMQ/OE): An CiCC certification; formerly certified quality manager (CQM).

Certified pharmaceutical good manufacturing practices (GMP) professional: An CiCC certification.

Certified quality auditor (CQA): An CiCC certification.

Certified quality engineer (CQE): An CiCC certification.

Certified quality improvement associate (CQIA): An CiCC certification.

Certified quality inspector (CQI): An CiCC certification; formerly certified mechanical inspector (CMI).

Certified quality process analyst (CQPA): An CiCC certification.

Certified quality technician (CQT): An CiCC certification.

Certified reliability engineer (CRE): An CiCC certification.

Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB): An CiCC certification.

Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB): An CiCC certification.

Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt (CSSMBB): An CiCC certification.

Certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt (CSSYB): An CiCC certification.

Certified software quality engineer (CSQE): An CiCC certification.

Certified supplier quality professional (CSQP): An CiCC certification.

Chain reaction: A chain of events described by W. Edwards Deming: improve quality, decrease costs, improve productivity, increase market with better quality and lower price, stay in business, provide jobs and provide more jobs.

Chain sampling plan: In acceptance sampling, a plan in which the criteria for acceptance and rejection apply to the cumulative sampling results for the current lot and one or more immediately preceding lots.

Lean manufacturing method where each workstation is set up to automatically receive, process, and pass on the next part without manual handling.

Champion: A business leader or senior manager who ensures resources are available for training and projects, and who is involved in periodic project reviews; also, an executive who supports and addresses Six Sigma organizational issues.

In statistical process control, random or natural variations causing minor fluctuations within the normal operating range of a process.

Change agent: An individual from within or outside an organization who facilitates change in the organization; might be the initiator of the change effort, but not necessarily.

Change management: The process, tools and techniques used to manage change, including planning, validating and implementing change, and verifying effectiveness of change.

A request for a change in projects, particularly in software projects: formalized request for a change in the properties of a certain product characteristic.

Changeover: A process in which a production device is assigned to perform a different operation or a machine is set up to make a different part—for example, a new plastic resin and new mold in an injection molding machine.

Changeover time: The time required to modify a system or workstation, usually including teardown time for the existing condition and setup time for the new condition.

Graphs used in statistical analysis to display or visualize categorical or qualitative data characteristics.

Characteristic: The factors, elements or measures that define and differentiate a process, function, product, service or other entity.

Qualitative or quantitative values of a characteristic. (On the basis of DIN 55350-12)

Chart: A tool for organizing, summarizing and depicting data in graphic form.

Charter: A written commitment approved by management stating the scope of authority for an improvement project or team.

Check sheet: A simple data recording device. The check sheet is custom designed by the user, which allows him or her to readily interpret the results. The check sheet is one of the “seven tools of quality” (see listing). Check sheets are often confused with checklists (see listing).

Checklist: A tool for ensuring all important steps or actions in an operation have been taken. Checklists contain items important or relevant to an issue or situation. Checklists are often confused with check sheets (see listing).

Data collection sheet which simplifies the systematic acquisition of data and recognition of principles. See also: Inspection list.

Continuous probability distribution used to model the sum of squared standard normal deviates, commonly used in hypothesis testing.

Statistical test comparing observed frequencies with expected frequencies to assess the independence or association between variables.

Statistical measure calculated in a Chi-Square test representing the difference between observed and expected frequencies.

1. Corporate Identity (totality of a company‘s characteristics). 2. See Continual Improvement.

American Society for Quality, Milwaukee, U.S.A., www.CiCC.org

American Society for Quality Control. Earlier name of the CiCC

Computer Integrated Manufacturing.

Continual (or Continuous) Improvement Process.

Kaizen tool used for complex, extensive, continuous improvement processes with higher priority in terms of time. The CIP workshop is initiated based on a current problem which needs to be solved, while quality circles are held regularly in order to achieve improvement.

Sub-domain of characteristic values that results from classification.

A characteristic’s range of values is divided into sub-areas (classes). These are mutually exclusive and completely cover the range of values. (On the basis of DIN 55350-23)

Classification of defects: The listing of possible defects of a unit, classified according to their seriousness. Note: Commonly used classifications: class A, class B, class C, class D; or critical, major, minor and incidental; or critical, major and minor. Definitions of these classifications require careful preparation and tailoring to the product(s) being sampled to ensure accurate assignment of a defect to the proper classification. A separate acceptance sampling plan is generally applied to each class of defects.

Closed-loop corrective action (CLCA): A sophisticated engineering system to document, verify and diagnose failures, recommend and initiate corrective action, provide follow-up and maintain comprehensive statistical records.

The closing talk or closing meeting takes place after the performance of an audit and summarizes the audit results (including the audit conclusions). This talk covers the following contents: Summary of the findings; Remark on the audit‘s sampling character; Mention of positive findings; Observations, recommendations and deviations; Clarification of misunderstandings; Documentation of any differences of opinion; Audit conclusions; And, where applicable, agreements, discussion regarding the type, scheduling, responsibilities for corrective and improvement actions.

Capability of machine. Machine capability index. It describes shortterm dispersion of the examined quantitative characteristic.

CEN Management Centre

Machine capability index. It describes the short-term variability of the examined quantitative characteristic and its distance to the specification limit.

Capability Maturity Model. Process model for judging the quality (“maturity“) of a company‘s software process and to determine improvement activities. At the end of 2003, CMM was replaced by Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI for short) in order to prevent uncontrolled growth of diverse CM models and to create a uniform model.

Professional support (motivation) in a work context: Consultation related to people, processes and organizations with the objective of effective task fulfillment through such measures as strengthening self-reflection.

Code of conduct: Expectations of behavior mutually agreed on by a team.

In experimental design, coded units refer to standardized variables, while uncoded units refer to raw or unstandardized variables.

Statistical measure indicating the proportion of variation in a dependent variable explained by an independent variable in regression analysis.

Statistical measure assessing the strength and direction of the linear relationship between multiple independent variables and a dependent variable.

Statistical measure representing the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean, expressing relative variability in a data set.

Quality measure in Taguchi methods, indicating the signal-to-noise ratio relative to variation in a process.

In statistical models or equations, numeric values representing the relative weights or contributions of variables in the model.

Partial Least Squares regression coefficients, representing the relationships between predictor and response variables in PLS regression.

In data tables or databases, vertical arrangements of data representing variables, attributes, or categories.

Arrangement or selection of items or elements without regard to the order, often used in permutation and combination calculations.

Audit of two or more management systems of different disciplines (such as quality and environmental management) at a single auditee. (On the basis of ISO 19011:2018)

Specific syntax or set of rules used in programming or software to execute commands or operations.

Text-based interface allowing users to interact with software or systems by typing commands into a terminal or console.

In programming or scripting languages, a character or sequence used to indicate comments or annotations in code for clarification or documentation.

In quality control, variations arising from inherent factors or normal fluctuations within a process that are predictable and inherent to the system.

Common causes: Causes of variation that are inherent in a process over time. They affect every outcome of the process and everyone working in the process. Also see “special causes.”

Organizational strategies or protocols to effectively manage and respond to crises or emergencies affecting a company.

Company culture: A system of values, beliefs and behaviors inherent in a company. To optimize business performance, top management must define and create the necessary culture.

Values used in median polish method to compare row and column effects in an analysis of variance (ANOVA) table.

Suitability of different units to be used together under specific conditions for a stipulated purpose in order to fulfill the requirements that apply them.

Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills in order to achieve a result. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015 and ISO 19011:2018)

Dissatisfaction expressed by the customer vis-à-vis an organization. Dissatisfaction may relate to a product, service or complaintshandling process, if a response or resolution is expected from the organization. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

In the framework of customer focus, this term is used for all planning, strategies and actions that use the dissatisfaction of customers as articulated and documented in complaints to better achieve the corporate goals. Consequently, the reduction of stated demands for compensation is not the first objective; instead, the primary goal is the conversion of justified complaints into improvements in products, processes and services.

Complaint tracking: Collecting data, disseminating them to appropriate persons for resolution, monitoring complaint resolution progress and communicating results.

Compliance: The state of an organization that meets prescribed specifications, contract terms, regulations or standards.

Examination by internal or external auditors to ascertain whether or not legal requirements are fulfilled in a company. For example, this includes laws, ordinances and licensing notices, as well as internal standards such as group guidelines. Particularly statutory or regulatory specifications are selected and audited point by point.

Factors or variables manipulated in a Design of Experiments (DOE) study, influencing the outcome or response variable.

Statistical measure combining multiple factors or objectives into a single composite score, often used in optimization problems.

Computer aided design (CAD): A type of software used by architects, engineers, drafters and artists to create precision drawings or technical illustrations. CAD software can be used to create 2-D drawings or 3-D models.

Computer aided engineering (CAE): A broad term used by the electronic design automation industry for the use of computers to design, analyze and manufacture products and processes. CAE includes CAD (see listing) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM), which is the use of computers for managing manufacturing processes.

Concatenation operation in programming or data processing, combining or linking strings or values together.

Permission to use or release a product (or service) that does not conform to the specified requirements. A concession is generally limited to the delivery of a product or service that has nonconforming characteristics for an agreed time or for an agreed quantity within specified limits. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

In statistics, pairs of observations having the same order of ranking or scoring in two related variables.

Concurrent engineering (CE): A way to reduce cost, improve quality and shrink cycle time by simplifying a product’s system of life cycle tasks during the early concept stages.

All characteristics and characteristic values of a unit. Standard DIN 55350-11 also speaks of inherent characteristics in this connection. This means characteristics inherent in the unit, as compared to characteristics that are assigned to a unit. Taking a cabinet as an example, the size and design of the door panels are inherent characteristics while the price and delivery data are assigned characteristics. Sometimes the word “nature“ is used in this context. (On the basis of DIN 55350-11)

Graphical representation showing the range or interval within which a parameter or statistic is likely to fall with a specified level of confidence.

Estimated interval that is calculated from sampling results. The estimated interval includes the unknown true value of the parameter that is to be estimated at the stipulated confidence level. (On the basis of DGQ Volume 11-04:2012)

For the calculation of a confidence interval or a statistical tolerance interval of desired and stipulated lower limiting value of the probability. (On the basis of DGQ Volume 11-04:2012)

Upper and lower bounds defining a confidence interval, indicating the range within which the true value is likely to lie.

Physical and functional characteristics of products or services that are interrelated. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

Coordinated activities for configuration direction and control. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

Conflict resolution: The management of a conflict situation to arrive at a resolution satisfactory to all parties.

Conformance: An affirmative indication or judgment that a product or service has met the requirements of a relevant specification, contract or regulation.

Conformitè Europëenne Mark (CE Mark): A European Union (EU) conformity mark for regulating the goods sold within its borders. The mark represents a manufacturer’s declaration that products comply with EU New Approach Directives. These directives apply to any country that sells products within the EU.

A requirement is fulfilled. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

Conformity assessment: All activities concerned with determining that relevant requirements in standards or regulations are fulfilled, including sampling, testing, inspection, certification, management system assessment and registration, accreditation of the competence of those activities and recognition of an accreditation program’s capability.

Graphical element or line connecting data points or elements in a visualization, often used to show relationships or trends.

In mathematics or networking, a function representing relationships or links between variables, nodes, or elements.

Cost of Non-Quality: A metric representing the costs incurred due to poor quality or errors in a product or process.

Consensus: A state in which all the members of a group support an action or decision, even if some of them don’t fully agree with it.

Fixed values or parameters used in mathematical equations or programming that remain unchanged throughout the process.

Constraint: Anything that limits a system from achieving higher performance or throughput; also, the bottleneck that most severely limits the organization’s ability to achieve higher performance relative to its purpose or goal.

Constraints management: See “theory of constraints.”

Consultant: An individual who has experience and expertise in applying tools and techniques to resolve process problems and who can advise and facilitate an organization’s improvement efforts.

Consumer: The external customer to whom a product or service is ultimately delivered; also called end user.

Consumer's risk: Pertains to sampling and the potential risk that bad products will be accepted and shipped to the consumer.

Environment and framework conditions of the organization. The context of an organization combines internal and external issues. The organization should be aware of its environment and observe it. Changes in the environment may affect the organization and its ability to provide products and services conforming to requirements and achieving objectives. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

A table in statistical analysis displaying the frequencies or counts of different variables to analyze relationships or associations.

Recurring activities in order to increase the ability to fulfill requirements. It is a continual process to set objectives and find opportunities for improvement. The use of audit findings, audit conclusions, data analyses, management review or other means by management usually necessitate corrective or preventive actions. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

A symbol or character indicating that a statement or line of code continues onto the next line, often used in programming or scripting.

Quantitative characteristic. A continuous or also continual characteristic can assume an infinite number of different values within its range of values. (On the basis of DIN 55350-12)

See Quantitative data.

Probability distribution describing random variables that can take any value within a range, such as normal, exponential, etc.

Continuous flow production: A method in which items are produced and moved from one processing step to the next, one piece at a time. Each process makes only the one piece that the next process needs, and the transfer batch size is one. Also referred to as one-piece flow and single-piece flow.

Ongoing process or approach focusing on making incremental or continuous enhancements to processes, products, or services.

Continuous improvement (CI): Sometimes called continual improvement. The ongoing improvement of products, services or processes through incremental and breakthrough improvements.

Continuous quality improvement (CQI): A philosophy and attitude for analyzing capabilities and processes and improving them repeatedly to achieve customer satisfaction.

Continuous sampling plan: In acceptance sampling, a plan, intended for application to a continuous flow of individual units of product, that involves acceptance and rejection on a unit-by-unit basis and employs alternate periods of 100% inspection and sampling. The relative amount of 100% inspection depends on the quality of submitted product. Continuous sampling plans usually require that each t period of 100% inspection be continued until a specified number, i, of consecutively inspected units are found clear of defects. Note: For single level continuous sampling plans, a single d sampling rate (for example, inspect one unit in five or one unit in 10) is used during sampling. For multilevel continuous sampling plans, two or more sampling rates can be used. The rate at any time depends on the quality of submitted product.

Graphical representation showing the 3D surface or topography using contours or lines of equal values, often used in data visualization.

Obligating or binding agreement. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

In quality management or process improvement, actions taken to ensure processes meet desired objectives or standards.

Control chart: A time sequenced chart with upper and lower control limits on which values of some statistical measure for a series of samples or subgroups are plotted. The chart frequently shows a central line to help detect a trend of plotted values toward either control limit.

See Control Chart.

Factors in Taguchi methods used to improve process stability or performance by minimizing sensitivity to variations.

Control limits: The natural boundaries of a process within specified confidence levels, expressed as the upper control limit (UCL) and the lower control limit (LCL).

Ensures that documented information is available and suitable for use where and when needed and is adequately protected. Includes the distribution, access, retrieval, use, storage, preservation, change management, retention and disposition of documented information. Documented information retained as conformity evidence shall be protected from unintended changes. In addition, documented information of external origin needs to be considered. (See also ISO 9001:2015)

Totality of systematic calibration, adjustment and verification activities as well as the maintenance of inspection, measuring and test equipment and its tools. (DGQ Volume 11-04:2009)

See Production control plan.

Control plan (CP): Written descriptions of the systems for controlling part and process quality by addressing the key characteristics and engineering requirements.

(Quality) capable process The distinguishing features are:

Monitoring and coordination concept to support company management in the framework of result oriented planning and the implementation of business activities. Controlling focuses on the collection, preparation and analysis of data to prepare decisions appropriate for the objective.

Measured value or numerical value for purposes of comparison. The deviation from the true value is seen as negligible for the comparison. (On the basis of DIN 1319-1)

Statistical measure in regression analysis identifying influential data points affecting regression coefficients.

Coordinate measuring machine (CMM): A device that dimensionally measures 3-D products, tools and components with an accuracy approaching 0.0001 inches.

“Cost of poor quality“ refers to the costs that arise when a company or a process delivers poor quality. For example, this could be the cost for reworking or scrapping. The concept, however, also includes costs incurred by image loss, quality audits, supplier monitoring, etc.

Process that, taking the company focus into consideration, is strategically important and a significant contributor to the business success. Core processes generally display the following aspects: Value creation, the (external) customer stands at the beginning and end of the process, they significantly contribute to the company‘s success and to customer satisfaction, they relate directly to the customers and have a direct effect on the customers, and the customer is willing to pay for the process output.

Action to resolve a detected nonconformity. Reworking or regrading are corrections. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

Corrective action: A solution meant to reduce or eliminate an identified problem.

Corrective action recommendation (CAR): The full cycle corrective action tool that offers ease and simplicity for employee involvement in the corrective action/process improvement cycle.

Statements regarding the linear relationship between two variables. Also see: Scatter diagram (correlation diagram).

Correlation (statistical): A measure of the relationship between two data sets of variables.

Statistical measure indicating the strength and direction of the linear relationship between two variables.

Measurement of the strength of the linear relationship between the influencing factor (x) and the output quantity (Y). This method is used to identify significant influencing factors. The correlation coefficient (r) can have a value from -1 to +1.

Mathematical function returning the cosine value of an angle in trigonometry.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health: Regulations and guidelines ensuring safety when working with hazardous substances.

Cost of poor quality (COPQ): The costs associated with providing poor quality products or services. There are four categories: internal failure costs (costs associated with defects found before the customer receives the product or service), external failure costs (costs associated with defects found after the customer receives the product or service), appraisal costs (costs incurred to determine the degree of conformance to quality requirements) and prevention costs (costs incurred to keep failure and appraisal costs to a minimum).

Cost of quality (COQ): Another term for COPQ. It is considered by some to be synonymous with COPQ but is considered by others to be unique. While the two concepts emphasize the same ideas, some disagree as to which concept came first and which categories are included in each.

Process of minimizing costs while maximizing value or efficiency in a system, project, or operation.

Instrument for reviewing investments.

Count chart: A control chart for evaluating the stability of a process in terms of the count of events of a given classification occurring in a sample; known as a “c-chart.”

Count per unit chart: A control chart for evaluating the stability of a process in terms of the average count of events of a given classification per unit occurring in a sample, known as a “u-chart.”

Actions or strategies implemented to mitigate or address identified problems, errors, or defects in a process or product.

See Counter Measures.

Statistical measure representing the degree to which two random variables change together.

In statistics, a variable that's possibly predictive or influential in an analysis but is not the primary variable of interest.

Residuals used in logistic regression models to evaluate goodness of fit and predictive accuracy.

Cp: The ratio of tolerance to 6 sigma, or the upper specification limit (USL) minus the lower specification limit (LSL) divided by 6 sigma. It is sometimes referred to as the engineering tolerance divided by the natural tolerance and is only a measure of dispersion.

Measures of process capability in Six Sigma, evaluating process performance and potential deviation from specifications.

Statistical measure assessing process capability indicating how well a process meets specifications.

Capability of process. Process capability index (measure of dispersion and location).

Measures of process capability considering the process centering and the spread of data in relation to specifications.

Cpk index: Equals the lesser of the USL minus the mean divided by 3 sigma (or the mean) minus the LSL divided by 3 sigma. The greater the Cpk value, the better.

Critical Path Method: A project management technique identifying the critical path and sequence of tasks in a project schedule.

Statistical measure indicating the strength and direction of association between categorical variables.

The (seven) creativity techniques are suitable for all situations in a company in which new ideas are sought. In detail, these are: Mind mapping, progressive abstraction, morphological box, method 635, synetcics meeting, visual synectics, buzzword analysis. See each term.

Tool used to rank or evaluate options or alternatives based on defined criteria, also known as Cause and Effect Matrix.

Evaluation of an audit finding. There is a (critical) deviation (nonconformity) when a complete, required procedure or a requirement from the standards is not fulfilled or is not installed in the company. Non fulfillment is with respect to a complete sub-point of a chapter. This includes both a lack of planning and a lack of effective implementation. A (critical) deviation (nonconformity) always necessitates a corrective action. A certificate cannot be issued until there is effective realization and elimination of the deviation (nonconformity).

In spatial analysis or statistics, the minimum separation or distance required between data points or objects to be considered distinct.

Machinery, tools, or components crucial to the functioning or operation of a system, process, or project.

Critical incident: The critical incident technique is an advanced tool for root cause analysis that can aid in the search for causes through interviews of various people involved in the process in which a critical event occurred.

Nonconformity which can result in critical consequences for the environment in question.

Sequence of tasks or activities in a project schedule determining the minimum time needed to complete the project.

See Cpm.

Critical processes: Processes that present serious potential dangers to human life, health and the environment, or that risk the loss of significant sums of money or customers.

Metrics focusing on aspects directly influencing or critical to the cost structure or financial performance of a system or process.

Metrics focusing on factors critical to meeting customer requirements or ensuring product or service quality.

Metrics focusing on elements critical to adhering to project schedules or timelines.

In statistics, a value used as a threshold or cutoff point in hypothesis testing or confidence intervals.

In Six Sigma methodology, factors or variables identified as critical to the outcome or performance of a process.

See Critical to Quality (CTQ) Metrics.

See Customer Relationship Management.

Statistical measure assessing internal consistency or reliability of a scale or instrument used in surveys or assessments.

The American Philip B. Crosby (1926 – 2001) was one of the pioneers and significant figures in quality science. His primary focus was on the “zero defects program.“

Cross functional: A term used to describe a process or an activity that crosses the boundary between functions. A cross functional team consists of individuals from more than one organizational unit or function.

Cross pilot: See “scatter diagram.”

Cross-validation method assessing the predictive performance of Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression models.

Residuals in Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression models validated through cross-validation techniques for assessing predictive performance.

Integration of a company‘s vertical and horizontal elements: Management across functions and departments.

Visual representation showing processes or workflows involving multiple departments or functions in an organization.

Work group comprised of people with different work experience. The group can be composed of employees from the finance, marketing, production and human resources areas. Typically, the employees are drawn from all levels in the organization. It is also possible to expand the group of people to include customers, advisers or suppliers (organizations outside the company).

In experimental design, factors involving combinations of both crossed (independent) and nested (hierarchical) factors.

Visual aid in graphs or charts, intersecting lines marking specific points or coordinates, aiding in measurements or reference.

Canadian Standards Association, Mississauga (Ontario). www.csa.org

Critical Success Factor.

Customer Satisfaction Index. Indicator to determine and measure customer satisfaction.

Customer Satisfaction Measurement.

Critical to Quality: Factors or attributes critical in meeting customer requirements or ensuring product/service quality.

Tool to set clear, measurable sub-goals when introducing Six Sigma. At the strategic level, first the group goals (CTQs: Critical to Quality) are defined. The company‘s vision, customer wishes and competitors‘ activity form the basis for these objectives. In the next step, these strategic goals are then systematically broken down (drill down) into district objectives, plant objectives and all the way down to sub-goals. It is crucial for the sub-goals to be clearly formulated and measureable.

Within DoE (Design of Experiments) a cube plot can be created if there are three factors to be examined, each with two settings, in order to depict the results of the experiments on the one hand and to read off the optimal setting on the other. The corners of a cube diagram represent a particular factor combination. If there are several series of experiments (experiments per factor and setting), it is advisable to use average values for the individual experiment combinations.

Cultural resistance: A form of resistance based on opposition to the possible social and organizational consequences associated with change.

Culture change: A major shift in the attitudes, norms, sentiments, beliefs, values, operating principles and behavior of an organization.

Culture, organizational: A common set of values, beliefs, attitudes, perceptions and accepted behaviors shared by individuals within an organization.

Cumulative Normal Distribution: The cumulative distribution function for the normal distribution in statistical analysis.

Cumulative Distribution Function: A function showing the cumulative probability distribution of a random variable.

Graphical representation displaying the cumulative defects per unit (DPU) over a specified period or quantity produced.

Graph or chart showing the cumulative number or proportion of failures or defects over time or quantity produced.

The rate or proportion at which failures or defects accumulate or occur over time or production cycles.

Percentage indicating the accumulation or sum of proportions or percentages up to a specified point in a sequence or data set.

Graphical representation indicating the cumulative percentage of defective items or units in a production process.

Cumulative sum control chart (CUSUM): A control chart on which the plotted value is the cumulative sum of deviations of successive samples from a target value. The ordinate of each plotted point represents the algebraic sum of the previous ordinate and the most recent deviations from the target.

Current good manufacturing practices (CGMP): Regulations enforced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for food and chemical manufacturers and packagers.

A representation of the current time in various systems or applications, often used in programming or data processing.

Customer: See “external customer” and “internal customer.”

Customer delight: The result of delivering a product or service that exceeds customer expectations.

Customer experiment: Using a given customer type to test whether a proposed new product will be accepted by customers. Also referred to as a pilot study.

Statements from customers on how they perceive the quality of the supplied product.

Focus of all of a company‘s activities and sequences on the wishes and expectations of its customers. Customer focus is one of the quality management principles (see Quality management principles). You can find out more about this in the Quality management principles.

Products or services that belong to the customer. They become a part of the production or service process. According to ISO 9001:2015, intellectual property and personal data can also be customer property. (On the basis of ISO 9001:2015)

Documentation and administration of customer relations (also electronically).

Customer relationship management (CRM): A strategy for learning more about customers’ needs and behaviors to develop stronger relationships with them. It brings together information about customers, sales, marketing effectiveness, responsiveness and market trends. It helps businesses use technology and human resources to gain insight into the behavior of customers and the value of those customers.

See Requirement.

Specifications or expectations outlined by customers regarding the products or services they desire.

Customer satisfaction: The result of delivering a product or service that meets customer requirements.

Interaction between the organization and the customer during the product life cycle. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

Customer-supplier model (CSM): A model depicting inputs flowing into a work process that, in turn, add value and produce outputs delivered to a customer. Also called customer-supplier methodology.

Customer-supplier partnership: A long-term relationship between a buyer and supplier characterized by teamwork and mutual confidence. The supplier is considered an extension of the buyer’s organization. The partnership is based on several commitments. The buyer provides long-term contracts and uses fewer suppliers. The supplier implements quality assurance processes so incoming inspection can be minimized. The supplier also helps the buyer reduce costs and improve product and process designs.

Cumulative Sum Control Chart: A quality control chart used to detect shifts or deviations in processes over time.

Company Wide Quality Control: All activities in a company that are relevant for quality constitute company-wide quality control. This comprises all employees at all hierarchical levels. CWQC is used to pursue the objective of having all activities in the product creation process satisfy the customer requirements.

Cycle: A sequence of operations repeated regularly.

Cycle time: The time required to complete one cycle of an operation. If cycle time for every operation in a complete process can be reduced to equal takt time, products can be made in single-piece flow. Also see “takt time.”

Plural form of Cycle Time, indicating the time taken for multiple cycles of a process or operation.

D chart: See “demerit chart.”

A designation or identifier used to represent a specific variable, factor, or category in various contexts.

Department Activity Analysis.

Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle Chemie GmbH, Frankfurt. The accreditation assignments were combined in a new structure in the DAkkS as Germany‘s National Accreditation Body as of January 1, 2010. The DACH entered the DAkkS via the DGA.

A short, regular meeting in agile or Scrum methodologies where team members discuss progress, plans, and impediments.

Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH, Berlin. Germany‘s National Accreditation Body. The organization started its activities on January 1, 2010 and bundles all accreditation assignments in Germany. www.dakks.de

Situation in which the existing risk is greater than the acceptable risk. (DIN VDE 31000-2)

1. Deming Application Prize. 2. Deutsches Akkreditierungssystem für Prüfwesen GmbH, Berlin. The accreditation assignments were combined in a new structure in the DAkkS as Germany‘s national accreditation body as of January 1, 2010. The DAP entered the DAkkS via the DGA. www.dakks.de

Deutscher Akkreditierungsrat. The obligations for monitoring were moved to the DAkkS as of January 1, 2010.

Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle Stahlbau und Energietechnik, Düsseldorf. The accreditation assignments were combined in a new structure in the DAkkS as Germany‘s national accreditation body as of January 1, 2010.

Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle Mineralöl GmbH, Hamburg. The accreditation assignments were combined in a new structure in the DAkkS as Germany‘s national accreditation body as of January 1, 2010.

Data: A set of collected facts. There are two basic kinds of numerical data: measured or variable data, such as “16 ounces,” “4 miles” and “0.75 inches”; and counted or attribute data, such as “162 defects.”

Statistical terms referring to observed data values and corresponding predicted or fitted mean values from a model.

Data collection and analysis: The process to determine what data are to be collected, how the data are collected and how the data are to be analyzed.

Data collection and analysis tools: A set of tools that help with data collection and analysis. These tools include check sheets, spreadsheets, histograms, trend charts and control charts.

Symbol or indicator used in data flow diagrams or process maps, representing the entry or input of data into a system.

Identifier or descriptor attached to a data point or element in a graph, chart, or visualization, providing additional information.

Structures or standards specifying how data is organized and stored within files or databases.

Process of converting or modifying data from one format, structure, or representation to another for analysis or storage.

Classification or categorization of data based on its nature, format, or characteristics (e.g., numeric, text, date).

In programming or data processing, a function or method to extract or convert date information from textual data.

Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle für Technik, Frankfurt. The accreditation assignments were combined in a new structure in the DAkkS as Germany‘s national accreditation body as of January 1, 2010.

Deutsche Akkreditierungs- und Zulassungsgesellschaft für Umweltgutachter mbH, Bonn. The accreditation assignments were combined in a new structure in the DAkkS as Germany‘s national accreditation body as of January 1, 2010.

Dynamic Data Exchange: Mechanism allowing applications to share data or communicate in real-time within a Windows environment.

Symbol or character used to separate the integer part from the fractional part in decimal numbers (e.g., period or comma).

Decision making: The thought process of selecting a choice from the available options.

Decision matrix: A matrix teams use to evaluate problems or possible solutions. For example, a team might draw a matrix to evaluate possible solutions, listing them in the far-left vertical column. Next, the team selects criteria to rate the possible solutions, writing them across the top row. Then, each possible solution is rated on a scale of 1 to 5 for each criterion, and the rating is recorded in the corresponding grid. Finally, the ratings of all the criteria for each possible solution are added to determine its total score. The total score is then used to help decide which solution deserves the most attention.

See Self-declaration.

Resulting value or statistic after performing decomposition on T-squared values in multivariate analysis.

Statistical model used to decompose or break down complex patterns or relationships into simpler components in data analysis.

Defect: A product’s or service’s nonfulfillment of an intended requirement or reasonable expectation for use, including safety considerations. There are four classes of defects: class 1, very serious, leads directly to severe injury or catastrophic economic loss; class 2, serious, leads directly to significant injury or significant economic loss; class 3, major, is related to major problems with respect to intended normal or reasonably foreseeable use; and class 4, minor, is related to minor problems with respect to intended normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Also see “blemish,” “imperfection” and “nonconformity.”

A chance or opportunity for a defect to occur in a product or process, often used in Six Sigma methodologies.

A unit of measurement representing the number of defects identified in a single unit or item in a process or product.

Defective: A defective unit; a unit of product that contains one or more defects with respect to the quality characteristic(s) under consideration.

Terms used in quality control to refer to identified flaws or imperfections (defects) and units containing defects (defectives).

A unit of measurement in Six Sigma, representing the number of defects per million opportunities.

The initial phase in problem-solving methodologies or project management, involving defining objectives and scope.

The initial phase in problem-solving methodologies or project management, involving defining objectives and scope.

In database management or mathematics, a relationship defining or constraining the values or behavior of other elements.

A mathematical term referring to the properties or characteristics of lattices in algebraic structures.

The number of independent observations or parameters in a statistical model, influencing variability and model flexibility.

Delighter: A feature of a product or service that a customer does not expect to receive but that gives pleasure to the customer when received. Also called an “exciter.”

Tangible or intangible outcomes or products produced and delivered as part of a project or assignment.

Acceptance inspection that is performed before a product is delivered. It is used to prove that the requirements or technical terms of delivery have meet fulfilled. This inspection can also be conducted at the same time as the final inspection. The contractor is responsible for the delivery inspection (as far as no agreements to the contrary have been reached). This can be either an internal or external contractor. (On the basis of DIN 55350-17)

One or more lots that are delivered as a whole at one time. (DGQ Volume 11-04:2009)

Systematic questioning procedure that comprises several steps. This method is used to allow a better assessment of trends, technical developments or, for example, future events.

A symbol representing change or difference between two values, often used in mathematical equations or models.

A statistical measure or coefficient indicating the effect or impact of a variable on another variable in a regression model.

A standardized form of the Delta Beta coefficient, representing the standardized effect size in regression analysis.

A statistical measure or test statistic indicating the difference or change in chi-square values in hypothesis testing or analysis.

A measure of deviance or difference between two models or statistical fits in regression or modeling.

Fluctuations or variations in demand for products or services over a specific period, affecting inventory and production planning.

Demerit chart: A control chart for evaluating a process in terms of a demerit (or quality score); in other words, a weighted sum of counts of various classified nonconformities.

The American William Edwards Deming (1900 –1993) was one of the thinkers and significant figures in quality science. His work focused primarily on the “14-point management program“ and the “principle of continual improvement.“

Deming cycle: Another term for the plan-do-study-act cycle. Walter Shewhart created it (calling it the plan-do-check-act cycle), but W. Edwards Deming popularized it, calling it plan-do-study-act. Also see “plan-do-check-act cycle."

Requirement for demonstration of the implementation of management elements with respect to the customer or the client in the case of a contractual agreement, or with respect to a competent body in the case of legal requirement. Note: Demonstration requirements result from the fact that the quality of complex products cannot be determined by an incoming inspection alone. (DGQ Volume 11-04:2009)

A tree-like diagram representing hierarchical relationships or clustering in data analysis, often used in clustering algorithms.

Dependability: The degree to which a product is operable and capable of performing its required function at any randomly chosen time during its specified operating time, provided that the product is available at the start of that period. (Nonoperation related influences are not included.) Dependability can be expressed by the ratio: time available / (time available + time required).

Part of the quality requirement with respect to the behavior of a unit in terms of its dependability during or after stipulated time spans under stipulated use conditions. (On the basis of DIN 55350-11)

Relationship or reliance between two or more variables or entities, where changes in one affect the other(s).

Deployment: Dispersion, dissemination, broadcasting or spreading communication throughout an organization, downward and laterally. Also see “cascading.”

Statistical methods: Descriptive analyzes and summarizes data, while inferential draws conclusions or predictions from data samples.

Transforming processes that turn requirements into specified characteristics or into the specification of a product, process or system. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

See Failure Mode and Effects Analysis.

An approach integrating Six Sigma principles into product or process design to achieve high-quality results from the beginning.

Design for Six Sigma (DFSS): See “DMADV.”

Tool or software generating various experimental designs or plans for conducting studies or experiments.

A matrix or table indicating the arrangement or configuration of factors or variables in experimental designs.

Design matrix used in regression analysis involving multiple variables, specifying their arrangement and relationships in the model.

Design of experiments (DoE): A branch of applied statistics dealing with planning, conducting, analyzing and interpreting controlled tests to evaluate the factors that control the value of a parameter or group of parameters.

Specific settings or combinations of factors used in factorial experimental designs to conduct experiments.

Specific settings or combinations of factors used in mixture experimental designs to conduct experiments.

Specific settings or combinations of factors used in response surface experimental designs to conduct experiments.

In experimental design, the minimum detectable effect size that the design can identify or distinguish.

Examination of a preliminary design from quality points of view. (On the basis of DIN 55350-17)

See Review technique.

Systematic examination of a design and all partial outcomes. The objective is to check if the quality requirements are fulfilled. This test must be documented.

An experiment planned or structured to investigate the effects of various factors or variables on a system or process.

Value of a quantitative characteristic. This characteristic‘s actual values should differ from the desired value as little as possible. (On the basis of DIN 55350-12)

Testing or analysis that renders the tested item unusable or alters its state, often performed to evaluate material strength or quality.

Activity for identifying one or more characteristics (and their characteristic values). (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

(On the basis of DIN 55350-15)

A group of individuals collaborating and working together on projects or tasks related to product or process development.

Residuals used in assessing goodness of fit in statistical models, indicating the difference between observed and predicted values.

Deviation: In numerical data sets, the difference or distance of an individual observation or data value from the center point (often the mean) of the set distribution.

Permission to deviate from the requirements originally placed on a product. This permission is granted before the product realization. It is normally limited to a certain quantity of a product or for a certain time span and for a certain use. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015).

Design for Assembly. Product design and development with ease of assembly considerations. (On the basis of IATF 16949:2016)

A statistical measure identifying influential data points or outliers in regression analysis.

Design for Manufacturing. Product design and process planning with a view to easy, economical manufacturing. (On the basis of IATF 16949:2016)

Design for Manufacturability and Assembly: Methodologies optimizing product designs for efficient manufacturing and assembly processes.

Design for Manufacturing and Assembly. Development and design in line with both DFM and DFA. (On the basis of IATF 16949:2016)

Design for Six Sigma. Six Sigma is applied as a tool both for existing processes and for processes that are to be created for the first time. The objective is to build up a process with Six Sigma capability ahead of time.

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Akkreditierung mbH, Frankfurt. The DGA was created on September 14, 2009 by the merger of the Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle Chemie (DACH), the Trägergemeinschaft für Akkreditierung (TGA) and the Deutsches Akkreditierungssystem Prüfwesen. The organization became a part of the new Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle DAkkS effective as of January 1, 2010.

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Qualität e.V., Frankfurt. www.dgq.de

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Warenkennzeichnung. DGWK was established in 1972 and today is called DINCERTCO Gesellschaft zur Konformitätsbewertung mbH, Berlin. www.dincertco.de

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung e.V., Berlin. www.dgzfp.de

Diagnosis: The activity of discovering the cause(s) of quality deficiencies; the process of investigating symptoms, collecting and analyzing data, and conducting experiments to test theories to determine the root cause(s) of deficiencies.

Diagnostic journey and remedial journey: A two-phase investigation used by teams to solve chronic quality problems. In the first phase, the diagnostic journey, the team journeys from the symptom of a chronic problem to its cause. In the second phase, the remedial journey, the team journeys from the cause to its remedy

Calculations or considerations involving statistical power and sample size to detect differences between groups or populations.

Variances or distinctions between entities, variables, or groups often measured or analyzed in statistical or comparative studies.

Deutsches Institut für Normung e.V., Berlin. www.din.de

Technical specification that is published by the DIN.

Costs that can be attributed directly to the product.

Draft International Standard. Draft for a standard.

Different types of variables: Discrete take distinct values, while continuous can take any value within a range.

Quantitative characteristic with a finite number or countably infinite number of forms. (On the basis of DIN 55350-12)

See Quantitative data.

A probability distribution describing outcomes with distinct values or categories, like binomial or Poisson distributions.

Smallest change in an input value that can still be perceived by a measuring instrument.

Qualitative term for the deviation behavior of characteristic values.

Distances indicating the relationships between predictor variables and the model in Partial Least Squares regression.

Distances indicating the relationships between response variables and the model in Partial Least Squares regression.

Statement on how how a characteristic is likely to behave. (On the basis of ISO 3534-1)

A line representing the best-fit or estimated distribution of data points on a graph or visualization.

Deutsches Informationszentrum für Technische Regeln in the DIN. The DITR database contains bibliographical identification of around 300 sets of regulations.

Deutscher Kalibrierdienst, Braunschweig. The accreditation assignments were combined in a new structure in the DAkkS as Germany‘s national accreditation body.

Deutsche Kommission Elektrotechnik Elektronik Informationstechnik in the DIN and VDE, Frankfurt.

DMADV: A data driven quality strategy for designing products and processes, it is an integral part of a Six Sigma quality initiative. It consists of five interconnected phases: define, measure, analyze, design and verify.

DMAIC: A data driven quality strategy for improving processes and an integral part of a Six Sigma quality initiative. DMAIC is an acronym for define, measure, analyze, improve and control.

Information and the medium on which it is depicted (carrier medium). A document can be in paper form, electronic, a photograph, a master sample or a combination of these. ISO 9000:2015 lists as examples: Record, specification, procedure document, drawing, report and standard. Several documents (e.g., specifications and records) are also referred to as documentation. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

Documented procedure for creating, checking, approving, identifying, distributing and updating documents. Document control also includes the identification and distribution of external documents, such as standards, customer specifications or customer drawings. If obsolete documents are stored, they must be identified in such an unambiguous manner that unintended use can be ruled out. Furthermore, not only documents from the management documentation should be subject to document control. Job descriptions, operating instructions, operating manuals for products, specifications, calculation bases or price lists that are used as specifications to fulfill customer requirements should also be taken into consideration. Records represent a special document type. Document control for records includes measures for the identification, storage, protection, retrieval, retention and disposition of records. (cf. ISO 9001:2015)

All documents that belong to a system, project, process or product. See Document.

Information (including its storage medium) which is subject to the control of documents. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

Dodge-Romig sampling plans: Plans for acceptance sampling developed by Harold F. Dodge and Harry G. Romig. Four sets of tables were published in 1940: single sampling lot tolerance tables, double sampling lot tolerance tables, single sampling average outgoing quality limit tables and double sampling average outgoing quality limit tables.

Design of Experiments. See Statistical experimental design.

Graphics tool (also: one-dimensional dispersion diagram) used to show the acquired measured values on one axis. This is already sufficient to show the first data distributions. Each point is a measured value.

A glossary or guide explaining terms, concepts, or symbols used in dotplots, a type of data visualization.

A statistical term indicating a complex root or solution in a mathematical equation or model.

A statistical sampling technique involving two sets of samples or inspections to improve accuracy or reliability.

The period or duration during which a system, machine, or process is non-operational or inactive.

In a process flow or supply chain, the stage or segment occurring later in the sequence, receiving outputs or products from an earlier stage.

Time during which a unit is not available due to an internal cause. Note: Uptime and downtime together constitute the complete interval of the time between two consecutive failures for products that are to be maintained, with the uptime possibly containing breaks in operation. (DGQ Volume 11-04:2009)

Defects per Million Opportunities. Derived from the calculation of the DPO, but extrapolated to one million. The process indicator states how many defects would be made (on the basis of the produced units or sample) in one million opportunities for defects. DPMO DPO * 1.000.000

See DPMO.

Defects per Opportunity. Process indicator to measure the probabilities of defects in process steps. Here all the defects that occurred in the produced units or sample are set in relationship to all opportunities that the process/process step has to produce a defect.

A measure in Six Sigma representing the number of defects per opportunity for a defect to occur.

Defects per Unit

Driving forces: Forces that tend to change a situation in desirable ways.

A graphical representation used in reliability engineering to visualize failure data or survival analysis.

A statistical method used in multiple comparisons to identify differences between treatments or groups while controlling the overall error rate.

A statistical test or measure used in regression analysis to detect autocorrelation in residuals.

A flexible or adaptable design strategy or approach responding to changes, trends, or variations in a system or environment.

Euler's number: A mathematical constant representing the base of the natural logarithm, approximately equal to 2.71828.

Electronic System Application and Products: An integrated software solution provided by SAP for enterprise resource planning (ERP) and management.

European Co-operation for Accreditation, Paris. Independent, nonprofit organization that in particular represents the interests of the European accreditation bodies.

A Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) strategy focusing on maintaining and preserving equipment reliability from the beginning of its lifecycle.

Engineering Change: Modification or alteration made to engineering designs, processes, or documentation.

Employee Continuous Reinvestment and Satisfaction: A strategy or initiative focused on continuous development and satisfaction of employees.

Experimental Design. See Design of Experiments.

Training initiatives or programs within Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) strategies focusing on skill development and knowledge enhancement for employees.

See EFQM Excellence Award.

Early Equipment Maintenance: A maintenance strategy focusing on early interventions to maintain equipment reliability and prevent failures.

Effect: The result of an action being taken; the expected or predicted impact when an action is to be taken or is proposed.

Effectiveness: 1) The state of having produced a decided upon or desired effect. 2) A measure of the appropriateness of the goals chosen and the degree to which they are achieved.

Efficiency: The state of being efficient (see entry). Also the ratio of the useful work performed in a process to the total resources required.

Efficient: Achieving maximum productivity with the optimal resources.

Effectiveness Measurement: A systematic method or approach to measure the efficiency or effectiveness of processes or operations.

Former European Foundation for Quality Management with headquarters in Brussels. The EFQM was established in 1988 and today is a non-profit organization for business excellence with more than 600 member companies in around 40 countries. The objective is to provide the member companies with information about business excellence and to strengthen the networking of the companies. In 1991 the EFQM established the prestigious EFQM Excellence Award. The EFQM presents this quality award annually to companies that achieve outstanding results. The EFQM is furthermore the guardian of the EFQM model, which serves as a guideline to help companies succeed on the markets and also to measure this success. www.efqm.org

European quality prize that the EFQM has awarded to companies annually since 1991 as the highest recognition for outstanding achievements and excellence. The companies are rated on a system with a possible 1000 points which is divided into the nine categories: Leadership; Strategy; Employees; Partnerships/resources; Processes, Products & Services; Customer-related results; Employee-related results; Society-related results; and Key performance results.

Eichgesetz [German Weights and Measures Act). Law covering measurement and verification.

Eight disciplines (8D) model: A problem-solving approach to identify, correct and eliminate recurring problems.

The fundamental principles or categories forming the basis of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) initiatives in manufacturing and maintenance.

Eight wastes: Taiichi Ohno originally enumerated seven wastes (muda) and later added underutilized people as the eighth waste commonly found in physical production. The eight are: 1) overproduction ahead of demand; 2) waiting for the next process, worker, material or equipment; 3) unnecessary transport of materials (for example, between functional areas of facilities, or to or from a stockroom or warehouse); 4) over-processing of parts due to poor tool and product design; 5) inventories more than the absolute minimum; 6) unnecessary movement by employees during the course of their work (such as to look for parts, tools, prints or help); 7) production of defective parts; 8) under-utilization of employees’ brainpower, skills, experience and talents.

Eighty-twenty (80-20): A term referring to the Pareto principle, which was first defined by Joseph M. Juran in 1950. The principle suggests most effects come from relatively few causes; that is, 80% of the effects come from 20% of the possible causes. Also see “Pareto chart.”

The total time or duration passed from the start of a process or event until its completion or the current time.

Electric data interchange (EDI): The electronic exchange of data from customers to suppliers and from suppliers to customers.

Eco Management and Audit Scheme. Requirements to be met by companies that voluntarily participate in a European Community system for environmental management and the internal environmental audit. A procedure that applies throughout Europe with the objective of continual improvement of the company‘s environmental protection. Regulation (EC) No. 1221/2009 forms the basis.

Graphical editing tool or software integrated within a system or application for creating or modifying visual representations or graphs.

Empirical Cumulative Distribution Function: A statistical tool representing the cumulative distribution function derived from observed data.

Employee empowerment (EE): A condition whereby employees have the authority to make decisions and take action in their work areas, within stated bounds, without prior approval.

Basic attitude in an organization that is focused on considering each individual employee as a significant potential for solving problems and contributing creativity and on treating each employee accordingly. Management is responsible for creating an environment in which people can develop their abilities and consequently contribute to value creation in the company. Employees should be included in structuring the processes in order that they can release their potential and contribute their abilities. The objective is to use the employees‘ know-how for continual improvement (CIP) of all processes with regard to quality and productivity. (See Quality management principles).

Employee involvement (EI): An organizational practice whereby employees regularly participate in making decisions on how their work areas operate, including suggestions for improvement, planning, goal setting and monitoring performance.

Instrument for encouraging the capacity and willingness for innovation in a company‘s employees. In many instances cash and other awards are given as an incentive for employees to submit improvement suggestions. This instrument is primarily used in order to achieve innovations in products and processes in small steps, to encourage employee motivation and development, and to make a positive contribution to a goal-oriented corporate culture and culture of innovation. Employee suggestion plans have a long tradition in Germany. The idea was mentioned for the first time in a general regulation at the company Krupp in Essen in 1872.

A metric indicating the rate or frequency at which employees leave an organization or company within a specific period.

Transfer of competencies and assignments previously reserved for managers to employees. This can improve employee and customer satisfaction.

See Environmental management system.

European norm. (Standard from the CEN – Comité Européen de Normalisation)

EN 46000: A European quality management system standard for the medical device industry. Technically equivalent to ISO 13485:1996, an international medical device standard.

EN 9100: A European quality management standard for the aerospace industry. Considered the technical equivalent of AS9100.

End user: See “consumer.” Someone who purchases products or services for their own use.

A procedure stipulated in the framework of European directives and the national legislation on occupational health and safety based on these directives that forms the foundation of endangering judgment. Endangering analyses determine possible hazards and are to be conducted in according with the Arbeitsschutzgesetz [Occupational Health and Safety Act] or where appropriate in accordance with the Biostoffverordnung [Biomaterial Regulation] and the Gefahrstoffverordnung [Hazardous Substances Ordinance].

An evaluation required pursuant to Section 5 Arbeitsschutzgesetz [German Occupational Health and Safety Act] of the hazards for the employees associated with their work and the determination of required occupational health and safety measures. Each workplace is to be assessed in accordance with the legal specifications. There has also been an obligation to provide documentation since 1997. The judgment is often made according to typified workplaces (chemical or physical laboratory, mechanical workshop, etc.) and includes the assignment to endangering classes.

The expenditure or cost incurred per unit of energy consumed in a system, operation, or process, often used in cost analysis or efficiency assessment.

You can find out more about this in the Quality management principles.

The environment, both natural and as changed by people, in which an organization or company is active (air, water, soil, flora, fauna, and natural resources).

All planning and actions that concern the dealings with the natural environment characterized by environmental protection affairs and perspectives. Environmental protection is law at the national level and is standardized in the framework of European directives and international agreements. Environmental management today therefore primarily includes the fulfillment of numerous requirements and conditions. Newer management theory also defines environmental management as the analysis, control, and planning of all external relations of the company as a system.

Environmental management system: A set of processes and practices that enable an organization to reduce its environmental impacts and promote environmental sustainability.

European Organization for Quality, Brussels. European (non-profit) organization with the objective of effective improvement in the quality management area. The EOQ sees itself as a coordinating body for its member organizations. It was founded in 1956 and currently has 30 national European quality organizations, institutions, companies and individual people from all around the world. www.eoq.org

Enterprise Process Architecture: Reference model for processoriented, service-based company architectures. This model is used to analyze different approaches to integration and to transfer them into a uniform model.

Enterprise Performance Management: Strategies or methodologies focused on managing and improving organizational performance across various domains.

See European Quality Award.

Equipment availability: The percentage of time during which a process (or equipment) is available to run. This can sometimes be called uptime. To calculate operational availability, divide the machine’s operating time during the process by the net available time (production time / potential production time) x 100.

Enterprise Resource Planning. ERP characterizes a company‘s task to use resources in the company efficiently for business operations. ERP systems consist of complex application software to support resource planning.

Inaccuracy, deviation, or mistake in data, measurement, process, or system performance leading to undesired outcomes or deviations from expectations.

Error detection: A hybrid form of error proofing. It means a bad part can be made but will be caught immediately, and corrective action will be taken to prevent another bad part from being produced. A device is used to detect and stop the process when a bad part is made. This is used when error proofing is too expensive or not easily implemented.

A device or tool integrated into a system or process to identify or flag errors or anomalies for corrective actions.

Limiting amounts of deviations for errors of measurement in the measuring instrument. (On the basis of DIN 1319-1)

Deviation of the (uncorrected) measurement result from the reference value, where this can be the true value, the correct value or the expected value, depending on the definition or agreement.

Error proofing: Improving designs to prevent mistakes from being made. Contrasted with mistake proofing, which is improving processes to prevent mistakes from being made or passed downstream. Some consider the terms to be synonymous, however, and applicable to both products and processes.

A device or mechanism incorporated into a system or process to prevent or minimize errors, defects, or mistakes automatically.

An estimation or calculation indicating the variance within a dataset or model attributed to specific factors or sources.

A systematic approach or technique used to estimate or predict unknown quantities or parameters based on available data or information.

Characteristic used to estimate a probability distribution parameter. (On the basis of DGQ Volume 11-04:2012)

Event Tree Analysis.

Ethics: The practice of applying a code of conduct based on moral principles to day-to-day actions to balance what is fair to individuals or organizations with what is right for society.

European Telecommunications Standards Institute, France.

European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA): A cooperative organization of accreditation bodies.

The European Quality Award was renamed the EFQM Excellence Award (EEA) in 2006. See EEA.

1. Selection, analysis and consolidation of data.

See Matrix diagram.

A graphical representation or visualization displaying events or occurrences over time, often used in process analysis or monitoring.

The likelihood or chance of a specific event or outcome occurring, expressed as a numerical value between 0 and 1.

Objective evidence: Data which confirm the existence or truth of something. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

You can find out more about this in the Quality management principles.

Evolutionary Operation of Processes. Analysis of process data with small dispersions within the parameters (variant of DoE).

Exponentially Weighted Moving Average Chart: A control chart used to monitor processes by detecting subtle shifts or changes in data.

The approaches to quality management systems on the basis of the ISO 9000 family of standards and the excellence models for organizations are based on common principles. Both approaches allow an organization to identify its strengths and weaknesses. They furthermore contain possibilities for evaluation using general models, offer a basis for continual improvement, and allow external recognition.

Exciter: See “delighter.”

Exemplar Global: A U.S. certification body for personnel certification or training course certification.

For discrete variates, the sum of the products of all numerical values xi of the variate X and of the associated probabilities pi; for continuous variates the corresponding integral.

Expectations: The act or state of expecting. To wait in expectation of, or looking forward or anticipating. Also, customers’ perceptions about how an organization’s products and services will meet their specific needs and requirements.

The anticipated or predicted level of performance or output based on calculations, models, or prior data analysis.

The planning or arrangement of factors and variables in a structured manner to conduct experiments or studies to analyze their effects.

Experimental design: In quality management, a plan for conducting an experiment that includes considerations such as which conditions, factors, responses, tools and treatments are to be included or used.

An abbreviation for "Exponential" commonly used in statistical or mathematical contexts representing exponential distributions or functions.

A probability distribution describing the time between events in a Poisson process or the decay of a quantity over time.

External customer: A person or organization that receives a product, service or information but is not part of the organization supplying it. Also see “internal customer.”

External failure: A nonconformance identified by a source outside of the producing organization. Discovered after a product or service has been passed downstream, for example, to users or customers.

A provider which is not part of the organization. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

See Second-party audit, Third party audit.

External setup: Setup procedures that can be performed safely while machines or equipment are in motion. Also known as outer exchange of die. Also see “internal setup.”

Individuals, groups, or entities outside an organization having an interest, influence, or stake in the organization's decisions or outcomes.

Activities, tasks, or operations outsourced or performed by external contractors or parties outside an organization.

Selected processes or parts of processes which the organization does not execute itself but are externally provided. These processes are characterized by being required by the quality management system. The organization remains responsible for the output of these processes. It is up to the organization to control externally provided processes to make sure that they fulfill such requirements. (See also ISO 9001:2015)

Additional or unnecessary steps, operations, or activities in a process or operation that do not add value or contribute to the end product or service.

Smallest or also largest individual actual value. (On the basis of DIN 55350-12)

Experimental designs involving extreme or boundary points in the design space used to evaluate factors' effects at those points.

A probability distribution used in statistical analysis, particularly in ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) to test the equality of variances.

A statistical test used to compare the variances or means of two or more populations, often employed in analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Fast Action Center: A center or department focusing on rapid response, resolution, or action on critical issues or incidents.

Facilitator: A specifically trained person who functions as a teacher, coach and moderator for a group, team or organization.

An independent variable or element that influences or affects the outcome, behavior, or performance of a system or process.

Statistical method analyzing relationships or patterns among variables, identifying underlying factors or constructs.

In experimental design, factors represent variables under study, while factor levels indicate the specific settings or values of those variables.

Coefficients representing the effects or contributions of factors in a regression equation or model.

Numeric values indicating the strength or magnitude of variables' relationships with latent factors in factor analysis.

Computed scores representing individuals or cases' relationship with latent factors derived from factor analysis.

A term referring to the method or arrangement of experimental factors in a factorial design, exploring interactions between factors.

An experimental design where multiple factors are studied simultaneously to assess their individual and combined effects on an outcome.

See also DoE.

Experiments systematically investigating multiple factors and their interactions on a response variable.

The factual approach to decision-making is one of the eight quality management principles (see Quality management principles).

See First Article Inspection.

Failure: The inability of an item, product or service to perform required functions on demand due to one or more defects.

Failure cost: The cost resulting from the occurrence of defects. One element of cost of quality or cost of poor quality. These costs can be categorized as internal or external.

The specific way or manner in which a system, process, or product fails or malfunctions, leading to undesirable outcomes or defects.

Failure mode analysis (FMA): A procedure to determine which malfunction symptoms appear immediately before or after a failure of a critical parameter in a system or product. After all possible causes are listed for each symptom, the product is designed to eliminate the problems.

Method for risk analysis: The potential causes of failures, possible types of failures and expected effects of failures in a system and its element are analyzed. In the next step, a risk assessment is made and actions are defined for prioritized risks. After working off the actions defined in the first assessment, a second risk assessment is made in order to determine if the actions are productive. The risks are calculated and rated with the help of the risk priority number. NASA developed this method in the mid-1960s. The following types of FMEA are possible:

Failure mode effects analysis (FMEA): A systematized group of activities to recognize and evaluate the potential failure of a product or process and its effects, identify actions that could eliminate or reduce the occurrence of the potential failure and document the process.

Failure mode effects and criticality analysis (FMECA): A procedure performed after a failure mode effects analysis to classify each potential failure effect according to its severity and probability of occurrence.

A measure in statistics assessing errors' occurrence among groups (families) and within individuals or cases.

Facilitated Application Specification Technique: A collaborative technique to quickly gather and define project requirements.

A unit’s lack of fulfillment, nonconforming fulfillment or incomplete fulfillment of a required function. (On the basis of DIN 40041:1990)

Fault tree analysis is a procedure that allows probabilities to be estimated. This analysis is most commonly used in systems that are critical to safety or that are highly available. The fault tree is created by means of a system analysis that is conducted beforehand. Combinations of faults are also taken into consideration. This method requires precise knowledge of the system analysis and probability calculation.)

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Maryland USA. www.fda.gov

Feedback: Communication of information from customers or users related to a process or performance. Feedback is used to make decisions directed toward improving or adjusting a process or performance as necessary.

Feeder lines: A series of special assembly lines that allow assemblers to perform preassembly tasks off the main production line. Performing certain processes off the main production line means fewer parts in the main assembly area, the availability of service ready components and assemblies in the main production area, improved quality and less lead time to build a product.

The distance or spacing between inspection or measurement points in a system, often used in quality control or assessment.

The American Armand V. Feigenbaum (born in 1922) is one of the pioneers and significant figures in quality science. His core activities were “Total Quality Control“ and “Simultaneous Engineering“.

Focused Improvement: A fundamental pillar of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) focusing on continuous improvement initiatives.

A statistical confidence interval derived using fiducial inference, an alternative to traditional confidence intervals.

Fédération des Industries des Equipements pour Véhicules. Organization of the French automotive supply industry. www.fiev.fr

FIFO stands for “first-in – first-out“ and describes a stock management system that optimizes the inventory turnover times and inventory turnover. Goods that were put into storage first are also taken out of storage first.

The last of the quality inspections that is conducted before a unit is handed over to the customer or client.

In cluster analysis or partitioning methods, the final division or separation of data into distinct groups or clusters.

Evaluation of an audit finding.

Products or goods that have completed manufacturing processes and are ready for distribution or sale to customers.

Sample that is, without exception, manufactured with equipment and procedures (under the associated general conditions) that are planned for series manufacturing. The first article allows verification that the quality requirement on the offered product can be fulfilled, as far as this takes place under the series manufacturing conditions. The terms “initial sample“, “quality specimen“, “type sample“ are used synonymously. (On the basis of DIN 55350-15)

Inspection of a first article in the framework of a sample inspection. (On the basis of DIN 55350-15)

First in, first out (FIFO): An inventory management method in which the oldest materials put into storage are the next materials taken out of storage for use.

The first in a series of planned or authorized quality inspections. (On the basis of DIN 55350-17)

See Throughput yield.

First pass yield (FPY): Also referred to as the quality rate, the percentage of units that completes a process and meets quality guidelines without being scrapped, rerun, retested, returned or diverted into an offline repair area. FPY is calculated by dividing the units entering the process minus the defective units by the total number of units entering the process.

First time quality (FTQ): Calculation of the percentage of good parts at the beginning of a production run.

A quality measure indicating the percentage of units or processes passing through a system without the need for rework or correction.

Internal audits that are carried out by the organization itself (also “Self-assessment“), for example, for a management review or as the basis for the company‘s declaration of conformity. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

The proportion of units or processes that pass through a system successfully without defects or rework on the first attempt.

Fishbone diagram: See “cause and effect diagram.”

A statistical test examining the association between categorical variables in contingency tables, suitable for small sample sizes or rare events.

A statistical method used for combining the results of independent tests to determine overall significance.

Fitness for use: A term sometimes used to define the term “quality” to indicate the degree to which a product or service meets the requirements for its intended use.

A graphical representation displaying a line representing the best-fit relationship between variables in a scatter plot.

A line representing the best-fit relationship between variables in a regression analysis, indicating the predicted values.

Predicted or estimated values obtained from a statistical model used to represent outcomes for specific inputs or conditions.

Estimated or predicted values derived from a statistical model for median-related analyses.

Estimated values derived from an orthogonal regression model, indicating relationships between variables.

Five S's (5S): Five Japanese terms beginning with “s” used to create a workplace suited for visual control and lean production. Seiri means to separate needed tools, parts and instructions from unneeded materials and to remove the unneeded ones. Seiton means to neatly arrange and identify parts and tools for ease of use. Seiso means to conduct a cleanup campaign. Seiketsu means to conduct seiri, seiton and seiso daily to maintain a workplace in perfect condition. Shitsuke means to form the habit of always following the first four S’s. The Americanized version is “sort, straighten, scrub, standardize and sustain.” The 5S approach organizes the workplace, keeps it neat and clean, establishes standardized condition and maintains discipline to sustain the effort.

Five whys: A technique for discovering the root causes of a problem and showing the relationship of causes by repeatedly asking the question, “Why?” A repetitive questioning technique to probe deeper to surface the root cause of a problem. The number of times “why” is asked depends on when the true root cause is reached.

Five-phase lean approach: A systematic method for implementing lean manufacturing that helps improve the production process and sustains gains made in the production cycle in an area or plant. The five phases are: 1) stability (provides an environment with controlled process variables, decreased waste and increased business impact); 2) continuous flow (characterized by reduced work in process inventory, time loss and defects, and increased process flexibility and repeatable processes between workstations); 3) synchronous production (characterized by disciplined process repeatability and synchronization between operations and customer requirements); 4) pull system (creates an environment in which material replenishment links operations with customer demand); and 5) level production (reduces response time or changes in demand and upstream schedule variability).

In experimental design, fixed factors represent variables with constant levels, while random factors have variable levels or conditions.

Term for the (total) costs that do not change with the capacity utilization level. These are also called time-related costs.

An indicator or marker used to highlight specific data points or conditions that need attention or further investigation.

The lower surface or level of a room or building, often referenced in manufacturing layouts or facility planning.

Flow: The progressive achievement of tasks along the value stream so a product proceeds from design to launch, order to delivery and raw to finished materials in the hands of the customer with no stoppages, scrap or backflows.

A production layout or system organizing workstations in a sequence to promote efficient and continuous flow in manufacturing.

A manufacturing method focusing on continuous production, minimizing interruptions or downtime to achieve a smooth flow of products.

Flowchart: A graphical representation of the steps in a process. Flowcharts are drawn to better understand processes. One of the “seven tools of quality” (see listing).

See Failure Mode and Effects Analysis.

Failure Mode, Effect and Criticality Analysis. The US military developed the FMEA in 1949 under the name FMECA. It was used for the systematic development of reliability with examination of system and equipment failures.

Focus group: A qualitative discussion group, usually of eight to 10 people, that is invited from a segment of the customer base to discuss an existing or planned product, service or process, led by a facilitator working from predetermined questions.

A follow-up audit is conducted when one or more (critical) deviations (nonconformities) occur in the audit that require a longer time for correction. The effective realization of the corrective actions and consequently elimination of the deviation(s) can be proven in the follow-up audit, for example. As a result a certificate can be issued.

Force field analysis: A technique for analyzing what aids or hinders an organization in reaching an objective. An arrow pointing to an objective is drawn down the middle of a piece of paper. The factors that will aid the objective’s achievement, called the driving forces, are listed on the left side of the arrow. The factors that will hinder its achievement, called the restraining forces, are listed on the right side of the arrow.

The predicted or estimated future demand for products or services based on analysis or forecasting methods.

The process of predicting or estimating future outcomes, trends, or demand based on historical data, models, or analysis.

Core principles in quality management emphasizing the importance of quality in products or services: Performance, Features, Reliability, and Conformance.

Forschungsgemeinschaft für Qualität e.V., Frankfurt. www.fqs.de

An experimental design strategy involving a subset of the complete factorial design to evaluate the most influential factors efficiently.

Number indicating how often a certain result or event occurs.

Data characterized by counts or occurrences of specific events or categories, typically analyzed using frequency distributions.

Distribution of actual values.

Frequency distribution (statistical): A table that graphically presents a large volume of data so the central tendency (such as the average or mean) and distribution are clearly displayed.

A non-parametric statistical test used to determine differences between multiple groups or treatments based on ranked data.

See Fault tree analysis.

Federal Trade Commission: A U.S. government agency overseeing consumer protection and antitrust laws to promote fair competition.

File Transfer Protocol: A standard network protocol used for transferring files between a client and a server on a computer network.

An experimental design method evaluating all possible combinations of factors and levels to analyze their effects on outcomes.

A condition in linear algebra or regression analysis where a matrix or system has maximal rank or independence among its rows or columns.

Function: A group of related actions contributing to a larger action.

Functional layout: The practice of grouping machines (such as grinding machines) or activities (such as order entry) by type of operation performed.

Functional verification: Testing to ensure a part conforms to all engineering performance and material requirements.

Funnel experiment: An experiment that demonstrates the effects of tampering. Marbles are dropped through a funnel in an attempt to hit a flat-surfaced target below. The experiment shows that adjusting a stable process to compensate for an undesirable result or an extraordinarily good result will produce output that is worse than if the process had been left alone.

A visual representation or diagram illustrating the envisioned or desired future state of a process or system after improvements.

A measuring instrument or device used to measure, evaluate, or assess various parameters or dimensions accurately.

An analysis or study assessing a measuring device's linearity and bias to ensure accurate and consistent measurements.

Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility Study: An assessment evaluating the reliability and consistency of a measurement system.

Gage repeatability and reproducibility (GR&R): The evaluation of a gauging instrument’s accuracy by determining whether its measurements are repeatable (there is close agreement among a number of consecutive measurements of the output for the same value of the input under the same operating conditions) and reproducible (there is close agreement among repeated measurements of the output for the same value of input made under the same operating conditions over a period of time).

A graphical representation displaying measurements or values obtained from a measurement system over time, assessing stability and consistency.

The acceptable or specified range of variation or deviation permitted in measurements obtained from a measuring device or system.

Gain sharing: A reward system that shares the monetary results of productivity gains among owners and employees.

A collaborative learning or problem-solving technique where participants review and provide feedback on displayed materials or ideas in a gallery-like setting.

A statistical distribution parameter or shape factor influencing the shape of various probability distributions like the gamma distribution.

A continuous probability distribution describing the time until an event's occurrence, often used in reliability analysis or waiting times.

Gantt chart: A matrix-type horizontal bar chart used in process/project planning and control to display planned and finished work in relation to time. It is called a milestone chart when interim checkpoints are added.

Gap analysis: The comparison of a current condition to the desired state.

Gatekeeper: A timekeeper; in team meetings, a designated individual who helps monitor the team’s use of allocated time.

See Normal distribution.

A term that originated in Japan and one of the “3Gs“. It means the place where something happens, or in a business management sense, also the place where value is created. As a management concept, Gemba means that solutions to problems should be found where the problems occur, such as the production workplace. Only immediate and direct experience at the location (with all senses) allows a problem to be adequately understood. In the area of customer focus, Gemba means that the actual needs of a customer in his or her actual living environment must be determined. Consequently in general, the greater value of one‘s own direct experience is stressed over “second-hand experience“ (e.g., written report).

Gembutsu (real things) means to go to the site in order to observe a process or workplace instead of talking about it from a distance. (Term that originated in Japan and one of the “3Gs“).

True facts (and no assumptions). The “true fact“ can be determined by data collection in the problem-solving process. Nonconformity and rejection rates and developments over time are used here as performance figures. (Term that originated in Japan and one of the “3Gs“).

A complete experimental design considering all possible combinations of factors and levels, assessing their effects on outcomes.

Statistical models or regression models encompassing linear relationships between variables, allowing for multiple predictors or factors.

Technical rules for the development and execution of physical structures or technical objects. These rules are seen as theoretically correct from a scientific point of view and are applied in practice. They extend beyond the applicable technical regulations and standards.

Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T): A set of rules and standard symbols to define part features and relationships on an engineering drawing depicting the geometric relationship of part features and allowing the maximum tolerance that permits full function of the product.

A probability distribution describing the number of trials needed to achieve the first success in a sequence of independent trials.

A measure of central tendency calculated by taking the nth root of the product of n numbers, used for skewed or log-normally distributed data.

George M. Low Trophy: An award presented by NASA to NASA aerospace industry contractors, subcontractors and suppliers that consistently maintain and improve the quality of their products and services. George M. Low was the NASA administrator for nearly three decades.

German Equipment and Product Safety Act. In Germany, this law regulates the placement of products on the market and the display of products, as well as the construction and operation of systems that require monitoring. The Geräte- und Produktsicherheitsgesetz superseded the Produktsicherheitsgesetz (ProdSG – Product Safety Act) and the Gerätesicherheitsgesetz (GSG – Equipment Safety Act) on May 1, 2004. This Act implemented the European directive on general product safety in Germany into national law.

Global quality: The systematic design and implementation of quality processes across the world, based on information-sharing and best practices.

A web-based overview or index presenting definitions and explanations of terms, concepts, or jargon used in a specific domain or context.

See Good Laboratory Practice.

See Good Manufacturing Practice.

Go/no-go: State of a unit or product. Two parameters are possible: go (conforms to specifications) and no-go (does not conform to specifications).

Goal: A broad statement describing a desired future condition or achievement without being specific about how much and when.

The process of optimizing responses or outcomes to achieve specific objectives or goals within a system or process.

A clear and concise statement outlining specific objectives or targets to be achieved, guiding initiatives or projects.

Quality assurance system that deals with the organizational flow and general conditions under which non-clinical safety inspections relevant to health and the environment are planned, conducted and monitored. GLP also deals with the recording, archiving and reporting with regard to the inspections. (GLP principles of the OECD, Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development)

Good laboratory practices (GLP): A quality system (for example, 21 CFR, part 58) for labs and organizations to use to ensure the uniformity, consistency, reliability, reproducibility, quality and integrity of testing performed. Promoted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and some regulatory agencies in the world.

This standard from the WHO places binding requirements on the manufacturers of food and medicinal products. GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) has the nature of a law in the health sector.

Good manufacturing practices (GMP): A minimum set of practices recommended or required by some regulatory agencies (for example, 21 CFR, parts 808, 812 and 820) for manufacturers to meet to ensure their products consistently meet requirements for their intended use.

A statistical method used to compare ranked data or to assess associations between two or more groups.

A statistical test evaluating how well an observed distribution fits a theoretical distribution or model.

See Geräte- und Produktsicherheitsgesetz.

Gesellschaft für Qualitätswissenschaft e.V., at the Technische Universität Berlin, www.tu-cottbus.de/gqw

Measure of value or class that describes the various quality requirements placed on products, processes or systems with the same functional use. Example: Hotel category according to stars or classes in plane tickets (e.g., first, business or economy class). (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

The arithmetic mean or average calculated across multiple groups or datasets, representing a combined average.

Text or labels added to a graph or chart to provide additional information or context for data visualization.

The file format or structure used to save or store graphical data, determining compatibility and readability.

Software or tools facilitating the arrangement and organization of elements within graphs or visual displays.

A specified area or segment within a graph or chart displaying data or information related to a particular region.

The numerical or proportional representation of values on axes or dimensions within a graph or chart.

A descriptive title given to a graph or chart, summarizing the content or purpose of the visual representation.

Project leader in Six Sigma standard projects. The Green Belt is responsible for organizing such a project. This person selects the project members, defines the project contents and objectives with the Champion and the Black Belt and independently applies simple tools. The Green Belt ensures that the improvements that are worked out are integrated into the daily work sequences and consequently are lastingly preserved for the company. It has also proven to be advantageous if the Green Belts are the process owners and consequently that their interest in sustainable improvement is especially strong.

Green Belt (GB): An employee who has been trained in the Six Sigma improvement method and can lead a process improvement or quality improvement team as part of his or her full-time job.

A collection of individuals or items brought together based on common characteristics, interests, or criteria.

Group dynamic: The interaction (behavior) of individuals within a team meeting.

A matrix illustrating similarities and relationships between parts or components in a manufacturing or production process.

Cooperation among individual people on a specific topic.

Groupthink: A situation in which critical information is withheld from the team because individual members censor or restrain themselves, either because they believe their concerns are not worth discussing or because they are afraid of confrontation. Occurs when most or all team members coalesce in supporting an idea or decision that hasn’t been fully explored.

Geprüfte Sicherheit [Tested Safety]. See GS mark.

The GS mark is an indicator of “Tested Safety“. The mark was introduced in 1977 and is based on the Geräte- und Produktsicherheitsgesetz (GPSG – Equipment and Product Safety Act), according to which the Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Sozialordnung (German Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs) can designate testing centers that have the right to issue the GS mark for devices and technical work materials, as far as these are covered by the GPSG. This includes products for commercial and private requirements.

Also liability for defects. Certain legal consequences and demands to which the purchaser is entitled in the framework of a sales agreement in the event that the seller has supplied unsatisfactory goods or items. A contract for work and services also provides a guarantee for deficiencies in the work produced. A warranty differs from the legally stipulated guarantee because there is no legal obligation to give a warranty promise. An EU directive specifies minimum standards for the guarantee in the case of commercial sale to private end customers. In principle, claims exist against the seller, but not against the manufacturer of the goods.

Document with requirements for the offered product and instructions for the activities to be carried out.

Recommendation or suggestions that are described in documents. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points. HACCP is a systematic tool in the framework of food safety management. It is used to define preventive measures and consequently to avoid dangers in association with food (e.g., illnesses). HACCP roughly means the analysis of health hazards and the determination of critical points.

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points: A systematic preventive approach ensuring food safety in the food production process.

A graphical representation used in experimental design to assess the significance of effects in screening experiments.

When assessing a person (“first impression“) one unconsciously looks for the other person‘s most striking characteristic and then generalizes this feature or trait.

The transfer of information, tasks, or responsibilities from one person, group, or phase to another within a process or project.

In Lean manufacturing, a concept referring to the removal of unnecessary items or tools from the workplace to enhance efficiency.

A Japanese term for self-reflection or introspection, focusing on acknowledging mistakes or opportunities for improvement.

Factors or variables within a system or process that are particularly difficult or challenging to modify or improve.

Material product whose quantity represents a countable characteristic. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

Many products consist of elements from various generic product categories. The dominant element determines whether the product is called a service, software, hardware or processed material. For example, a car (in the sense of an offered product) comprises hardware (e.g., the tires), processed materials (e.g., fuel, coolant), software (e.g., engine control software, operating manual) and service (e.g., the dealer‘s explanations of correct operation).

Hawthorne effect: When people modify their behavior in response to their awareness of being observed. This term is attributed to sociologist Henry Landsberger, who analyzed this behavior during experiments at the Hawthorne Works, a Western Electric factory outside Chicago.

Hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP): A quality management system for effectively and efficiently ensuring farm-to-table food safety in the United States. HACCP regulations for various sectors are established by the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration.

A graphical representation displaying potential hazards or risks associated with a process, system, or operation.

Hazard and Operability Study: A systematic analysis method identifying potential hazards and operability issues in industrial processes.

Heijunka: A method of leveling production, usually at the final assembly line, that makes just-in-time production possible. It involves averaging the volume and sequence of different model types on a mixed model production line. Using this method avoids excessive batching of different types of product and volume fluctuations in the same product. Also see “production smoothing.”

A technique or analysis focusing on identifying elements or factors that either assist or impede progress toward a goal or objective.

A situation in statistical modeling where estimated parameters or results violate logical or theoretical constraints.

Handelsgesetzbuch [German Commercial Code].

Unproductive or unnoticed areas within an organization where waste, inefficiency, or unutilized potential exists.

Future identical clause structure of all management system standards with partly identical text passages in the clauses dealing with requirements. This high level structure is aimed at making better use of synergies between different disciplines. The management system standards differ with respect to their scope and objectives.

Highly accelerated life test (HALT): A process for uncovering design defects and weaknesses in electronic and mechanical assemblies using a vibration system combined with rapid high and low temperature changes. The purpose of HALT is to optimize product reliability by identifying the functional and destructive limits of a product at an early stage in product development.

Highly accelerated stress audits (HASA): A technique in which a sample of parts (as opposed to 100% of the production, as in HASS) is subjected to stresses similar to the levels and duration for HALT. In monitoring the production process, the intent of HASA is to detect slight shifts in the attributes of the product so corrective actions can be taken and implemented before the performance of outgoing product approaches the specifications.

Highly accelerated stress screening (HASS): A technique for production screening that rapidly exposes process or production flaws in products. Its purpose is to expose a product to optimized production screens without affecting product reliability. Unlike HALT, HASS uses nondestructive stresses of extreme temperatures and temperature change rates with vibration.

Specific points in a boxplot or statistical diagram representing quartiles or outliers in a dataset's distribution.

Histogram: A graphic summary of variation in a set of data. The pictorial nature of a histogram lets people see patterns that are difficult to detect in a simple table of numbers. One of the “seven tools of quality” (see listing).

A compilation or explanation of terms related to histograms, their components, or interpretations.

An alternative name for a histogram, used to visualize the frequency distribution of data.

Parameters or indicators derived from past data or historical trends used for analysis, forecasting, or decision-making.

See High level structure.

Honorary member, CiCC: CiCC’s highest grade of membership. As specified in CiCC’s constitution, “An honorary member shall have rendered acknowledged eminent service to the quality profession or the allied arts and sciences.” To attain this level, an individual must be nominated by at least 10 regular members and must be approved unanimously by the board of directors.

The process or strategy of duplicating or replicating data across multiple servers or databases for redundancy or distribution.

Hoshin kanri: The selection of goals, projects to achieve the goals, designation of people and resources for project completion and establishment of project metrics. Also see “policy deployment.”

Hoshin planning: Breakthrough planning. A Japanese strategic planning process in which an organization develops up to four vision statements that indicate where the organization should be in the next five years. Organizational goals and work plans are developed based on the vision statements. Periodic submitted audits are then conducted to monitor progress. Also see “value stream.”

See Management by Policy.

A statistical test used for comparing means or vectors of multivariate data, considering differences between groups or treatments.

Hotelling's T2 model: A multivariate profile for detecting differential expressions in microarrays.

House of quality: A product planning matrix, somewhat resembling a house, that is developed during quality function deployment and shows the relationship of customer requirements to the means of achieving these requirements.

Hsu's Multiple Comparison Boundaries: Statistical boundaries used in multiple comparisons to control the familywise error rate.

Collaborative or impromptu team meetings focusing on quick discussions, updates, or problem-solving within a work environment.

Mathematical functions, such as hyperbolic sine or cosine, dealing with hyperbolic angles and relationships.

A probability distribution describing the probability of specific successes in a fixed number of draws from a finite population.

See also: Hypothesis test.

A statement or proposition outlining an assumption or claim to be tested or validated through analysis or experimentation.

A statistical test evaluating the validity or significance of an assumption or hypothesis regarding a population or dataset.

The statistical process of testing or assessing assumptions or claims about a population or dataset using sample data.

A hypothesis stating no significant difference or relationship between variables or conditions being tested.

Individual and Moving Range Chart: A control chart used to monitor processes with individual measurements and their ranges.

Individual and Moving Range Rundown and Selection Chart: A tool used to evaluate data trends or patterns in a process.

Individual and Moving Range Chart: A control chart used to monitor and visualize individual data points and their moving ranges.

International Automotive Task Force. Workgroup of the large automakers and their suppliers for the harmonization of nationally introduced quality management methods and of the quality management standards.

IATF 16949: A harmonized set of supplier quality management system requirements for automotive suppliers released in October 2016 by the International Automotive Task Force (IATF). IATF 16949 replaced ISO/TS 16949.

International Chamber of Commerce.

Identify – Define – Design – Optimize – Validate

Identify – Design – Evaluate – Affirm

Idea creation tools: Tools that encourage thinking and organization of new ideas around issues or opportunities, either individually or with other people. Examples are brainstorming, the Delphi method, role-playing, TRIZ and visioning.

Identify – Design – Optimize – Validate

International Electrotechnical Commission. International standardization committee with headquarters in Geneva for standards in the field of electrical engineering and electronics.

IEC Quality Assessment System for Electronic Components.

Initial Fill Capacity: A measure or assessment determining the initial capacity or volume of a reservoir, container, or system.

Initiative Ludwig-Erhard-Preis – Auszeichnung für Spitzenleistungen im Wettbewerb e.V., Oberursel bei Frankfurt. Organization that awards the Ludwig Erhard Prize each year. www.ilep.de

Imagineering: Developing in the mind’s eye a process without waste.

Impact effort matrix: A technique for determining the best action to take once the root cause of a problem has been identified. By creating a matrix with four quadrants and plotting the potential solutions based on the effort required to implement (x-axis) and the impact (y-axis), the solutions falling into the upper left-hand quadrant will be the best action to take.

Imperfection: A quality characteristic’s departure from its intended level or state without any association to conformance to specification, requirements or to the usability of a product or service. Also see “blemish,” “defect” and “nonconformity.”

A dedicated team responsible for executing or deploying plans, strategies, or projects within an organization.

The phase within the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology in Six Sigma focusing on implementing solutions and improvements.

A stage in problem-solving methodologies (e.g., DMAIC, PDCA) concentrating on implementing and validating improvement initiatives.

Improvement: The positive effect of a process change effort.

Actions or initiatives undertaken to enhance processes, systems, or outcomes towards better performance or efficiency.

A structured routine or method in Lean thinking for continuous improvement through deliberate practice and experimentation.

A measure or ratio assessing the amount or magnitude of improvement achieved in a process or system.

See Integrated management system.

In-control process: A process in which the statistical measure being evaluated is in a state of statistical control; in other words, the variations among the observed sampling results can be attributed to a constant system of chance causes. Also see “out-of-control process.”

Quality inspection that is performed during the manufacture or processing of a unit. (On the basis of DIN 55350-17)

Inspection of incoming goods at the request and with the participation of the customer or its representative. (On the basis of DIN 55350-17)

Incremental improvement: Improvement implemented on a continual basis.

A set of observations or data points drawn from a population or group independently of other samples, avoiding bias or influence.

A trial or experiment conducted separately from others, not influenced or affected by previous or concurrent trials.

Variables serving as indicators or proxies for other phenomena or factors, aiding in measurement or prediction.

Indicators: Established measures to determine how well an organization is meeting its customers’ needs and other operational and financial performance expectations.

Also “Active listening“. Instead of steering the talk according to his/her own ideas, the auditor guides it according to what he/she can gather from the statements of the employee or auditee. The auditor attempts to see the content through the employee‘s eyes in order to be able to understand the employee‘s actions. This is the form of discussion that allows the employee to contribute the most.

Costs not directly attributable to a specific activity, product, or service but contribute to overall expenses or operations.

Confidence levels for individual and combined events or occurrences indicating the likelihood of events happening.

The identification or recognition of individual distributions or data patterns within a dataset or statistical analysis.

A plot or graphical representation displaying individual data values to identify trends, patterns, or outliers.

A control chart used to monitor individual measurements or data points to assess process stability and variability.

A data point or observation significantly affecting statistical analysis, potentially influencing results or conclusions.

Significant data.

Information flow: The dissemination of information for taking a specific product from order entry through detailed scheduling to delivery. Also see “value stream.”

Management in the company with regard to information and communication: it comprises all management tasks related to information and communication.

Informative inspection: A form of inspection for determining nonconforming product. Also see “judgment inspection.”

Basic equipment of a human resources, material or institutional manner (e.g., also services) that are necessary in order for an organization to function. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

Inherent means “existing as an essential constituent or characteristic of a unit.“ An inherent characteristic is one that is permanently associated with a unit.

An initial cleaning process or step usually performed before starting a task, operation, or analysis to ensure a clean and organized workspace or dataset.

Innovation: New value created at an optimal cost—not at any cost—through the development of new products, services or processes.

System for optimizing process chains: quality techniques and creativity techniques are networked.

Information, data, or resources provided or utilized as an input into a system, process, or operation for desired outcomes.

Specific measures or metrics used to evaluate or assess inputs contributing to a process, system, or project.

Inputs: The products, services and material obtained from suppliers to produce the outputs delivered to customers.

Inspection: A verification activity. For example, measuring, examining, testing and gauging one or more characteristics of a product or service and comparing the results with specified requirements to determine whether conformity is achieved for each characteristic.

A decision as to whether or not the inspection lot can be accepted is made on the basis of the determined number of nonconforming units or the number of nonconformities in a sample. (On the basis of ISO 3534-2)

Acceptance sampling inspection: Inspecting an item by measuring the magnitude of one or more of its characteristics. (On the basis of ISO 3534-2)

Property that is inspected. (On the basis of DIN 55350-12)

Inspection cost: The cost associated with inspecting a product to ensure it meets the internal or external customer’s needs and requirements; an appraisal cost.

Costs due to inspections conducted as scheduled (and not caused by nonconformities). Inspection costs include the costs in all of the organization‘s areas for the deployed personnel for inspections, the associated inspection, measuring and test equipment and the control of inspection, measuring and test equipment. Proportional costs for inspection activities are then to be assessed when inspection and other activities overlap in time. (On the basis of DIN 555350-11)

Inspection plan with stipulations regarding the inspection activities and inspection processes.

The inspection list (check sheet) is a quality tool (Q 7) for recording data (nonconformities) efficiently and for presenting them clearly according to the type and number. The data are assigned to a nonconformity category and quantitatively recorded in a table. Problems in paint system

Inspection lot: A collection of similar units or a specific quantity of similar material offered for inspection and acceptance at one time.

Specification for a single inspection or for a series of inspections. Inspection plans can contain different elements, such as inspection specification, inspection instruction and inspection schedule or they can refer to the same. This depends on the use of language in the particular organization. (On the basis of DIN 55350-11)

Inspection plan stipulating of the sequence of inspections.

Inspection plan with stipulations regarding inspection engineering.

Status of a unit. It indicates which inspection or inspections were conducted on this unit, and with which results. (On the basis of DIN 55350-11)

Inspection, 100%: Inspection of all the units in the lot or batch.

Inspection, curtailed: Sampling inspection in which inspection of the sample is stopped as soon as a decision is certain. Thus, as soon as the rejection number for defectives is reached, the decision is certain and no further inspection is necessary. In single sampling, however, the whole sample is usually inspected in order to have an unbiased record of quality history. This same practice is usually followed for the first sample in double or multiple sampling.

Measuring systems for quality inspections

Inspection, normal: Inspection used in accordance with a sampling plan under ordinary circumstances.

Inspection, reduced: Inspection in accordance with a sampling plan requiring smaller sample sizes than those used in normal inspection. Reduced inspection is used in some inspection systems as an economy measure when the level of submitted quality is sufficiently good and other stated conditions apply. Note: The criteria for determining when quality is “sufficiently good” must be defined in objective terms for any given inspection system.

Inspection, tightened: Inspection in accordance with a sampling plan that has stricter acceptance criteria than those used in normal inspection. Tightened inspection is used in some inspection systems as a protective measure when the level of submitted quality is sufficiently poor. The higher rate of rejections is expected to lead suppliers to improve the quality of submitted product. Note: The criteria for determining when quality is “sufficiently poor” must be defined in objective terms for any given inspection system.

Evaluations, checks, or examinations performed on products, processes, or systems to ensure compliance or quality standards.

Instant pudding: A term used to illustrate an obstacle to achieving quality, or the supposition that quality and productivity improvement are achieved quickly through an affirmation of faith rather than through sufficient effort and education.

The process of establishing or embedding practices, processes, or behaviors as a standard or norm within an organization or system.

A probability distribution representing discrete integer values in a range, often used in various statistical analyses.

Consolidation of fragmentary or discipline-specific management systems (such as quality, environmental or occupational health and safety management systems) into an integrated management system. (On the basis of ISO 19011:2018)

Inter-American Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC): A cooperative organization of accreditation bodies.

Processes that influence one another. ISO 9000:2015 calls the process approach the use of a system of processes in combination with identifying, understanding and managing interrelated processes.

The interdependency or relationship between factors, variables, or elements affecting outcomes or results, often studied in experiments.

An interaction plot is a graphical tool that is used when there is a change in more than one factor in a statistical experiment design in order to analyze if these factors influence one another and if there are interrelations. Like the Main effect plot, the Interaction plot is used in the Improve phase in the Six Sigma DMAIC cycle.

See Interested party.

Group or person who has an interest in an organization‘s performance or success. A group can comprise an organization, a part of an organization, or several organizations. As examples for an interested party, the standard lists: customers, owners, people in an organization, suppliers, bankers, unions, partners or society. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

Intermediate customers: Organizations or individuals who operate as distributors, brokers or dealers between the supplier and the consumer or end user.

The degree of reliability or consistency within measurements, tests, or assessments conducted internally within a system.

Internal customer: The recipient (person or department) within an organization of another person’s or department’s output (product, service or information). Also see “external customer.”

An internal customer-supplier relationship exists when departments or areas that receive a performance from other areas within an organization are seen as internal customers. This makes employees both customers and internal service providers or suppliers.

Internal failure: A product failure that occurs before the product is passed downstream—for example, delivered to external customers.

See First-party audit.

Compilation of product-related records that are necessary or helpful for planning, management and inspections.

Internal setup: Setup procedures that must be performed while a machine or piece of equipment is stopped; also known as inner exchange of die. Also see “external setup.”

Work, tasks, or processes performed within an organization or system, often referring to internal operations or functions.

International Accreditation Registry (IAR): A not-for-profit organization that accredits training and certification program results to international standards and guidelines.

International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG): An international nonprofit aerospace and defense industry legal entity (registered in Brussels) to continuously improve the industry’s processes used by its supply chain to consistently deliver high-quality products or services and to make significant improvements in quality performance and reductions in cost.

International Automotive Task Force (IATF): An ad hoc group of automotive manufacturers (for example, General Motors, Ford, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, BMW, Volkswagen and Renault) and their respective trade associations (for example, Automotive Industry Action Group, the German Association of the Automotive Industry and the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders) formed to provide improved quality products to automotive customers worldwide.

International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC): A cooperative organization of laboratory accreditation bodies.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO): An independent, nongovernmental international organization with a membership of 161 national standards bodies that unites experts to share knowledge and develop voluntary, consensus-based, market-relevant international standards, guidelines and other types of documents.

Internationale Fernmeldeunion (International Telecommunication Union or Union internationale des télécommunications, UIT) with headquarters in Geneva. Agency of the United Nations that deals with the technical aspects of telecommunication. This group defines international and globally effective standards. www.itu.int

Interrelationship diagram: A management tool that depicts the relationship among factors in a complex situation; also called “interrelationship diagram” or “relations diagram.”

The interrelationship digraph is a management tool (M7) that is used to illustrate interrelationships. The relationships among the causes of a central problem are shown by means of arrows. The causes are also classified according to their significance. The result is a representation of a problem‘s main causes as well as the relationships between them. It is then easy to derive possible solutions.

A graphical representation illustrating intervals or ranges of values within a dataset, providing insights into variability.

Intervention: The action of a team facilitator when interrupting a discussion to state observations about group dynamics or the team process.

The introductory talk is held at the beginning of an audit (opening). The contents are: Introduction of the auditors; Explanation of the audit objectives; Overview of methods and procedures in auditing; Agreement on the time sequence; Clarification of the resources; Confidentiality; Reporting.

Inventory: A term for assets (for example, materials, supplies, work in process and finished goods) held by an organization.

The reverse operation of cumulative probability, determining the value below which a specific probability lies in a distribution.

The involvement of people is one of the eight quality management principles (see Quality management principles).

Input/Output Font: A specific typeface or font used in computer programming or data representation for input/output operations.

Integrated Process Control.

Integrated Project Management: A comprehensive approach or methodology managing projects through integration and coordination.

See Innovative process chain optimization

Integrated Quality Management.

The International Certification Network, Bern (Switzerland). International network of 36 certification companies around the world, active since 1990.

The Japanese Kaoru Ishikawa (1915-1989) is one of the pioneers and important individuals in quality science. His core activities were “company-wide quality control“, the “quality circle“ and particularly the cause and effect diagram that bears his name.

Ishikawa diagram: See “cause and effect diagram.”

International Organization for Standardization, Geneva. International organization of standardization organizations. www.iso.org

ISO 14000: A series of international, voluntary environmental management standards, guides and technical reports developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

ISO 14001: A voluntary environmental management standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

ISO 19011: A guideline for the auditing of management system standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

ISO 26000: An international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to help organizations effectively assess and address those social responsibilities that are relevant and significant to their mission and vision; operations and processes; customers, employees, communities and other stakeholders; and environmental impact.

ISO 9000 series standards: A set of international standards on quality management and quality assurance developed to help organizations effectively document the quality system elements to be implemented to maintain an efficient quality system. The standards, initially published in 1987, are not specific to any particular industry, product or service. The standards were developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) (see listing). The standards underwent major revision in 2000 and now include ISO 9000:2005 (definitions), ISO 9001:2008 (requirements), ISO 9004:2009 (continuous improvement) and ISO 9001: 2015 (risk management).

ISO 9001: A voluntary quality management system standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). First released in 1987 and one of several documents in the ISO 9000 family.

A method conforming to standards established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for specific procedures or processes.

A set of international standards addressing quality management and assurance systems within organizations (e.g., ISO 9001).

Technical Committee 176 on Quality Management and Quality Assurance. Responsible for the development of the ISO 9000 family of standards.

A software development approach involving repetitive cycles or iterations, revising and refining the product through successive stages.

See International Telecommunication Union.

Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association Inc. – Association of Japanese automakers. IATF 16949:2016 was supported by the IATF and JAMA and worked out by representatives of the ISO/TC 176.

An institute promoting and supporting plant maintenance practices and methodologies, particularly in Japan.

Jidohka: Stopping a line automatically when a defective part is detected. Any necessary improvements can then be made by directing attention to the stopped equipment and the worker who stopped the operation. The jidohka system puts faith in the worker as a thinker and allows all workers the right to stop the line on which they are working. Also see “autonomation.”

Self-controlled nonconformity detection system. Jidoka (Japanese origin) functions as a tool to localize and report problems that arise. Machines automatically detect incorrect functions at production points and stop the further production. This prevents further processing of nonconforming parts.

See Just-in-sequence.

A concept in Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) focusing on operators' involvement in maintaining and improving equipment reliability.

JISQ 9100: An international quality management standard for the aerospace industry. Also see AS9100.

See Just-in-time.

Variability or fluctuations in timing, often referring to irregularities in signals, data transmission, or system performance.

Job instruction: Quality system documentation that describes work conducted in one function in an organization, such as setup, inspection, rework or operator.

The order or arrangement of tasks or operations in a particular sequence within a workflow or production process.

Audit by two or more collaborating auditing organizations at a single auditee. (On the basis of ISO 19011:2018)

Cooperation among parties that leads to the establishment of a new, legally independent entity. All founding companies participate with their capital. The founding companies also frequently introduce a large portion of resources in technology, property rights, technical and marketing know-how and/or industrial installations into the new company.

Japanese Standards Association, Tokyo, Japan. www.jsa.or.jp

Japanese Society of Quality Control, Tokyo, Japan. www.jsqc.org

Verification and subsequent summary of facts

Judgment inspection: A form of inspection to determine nonconforming product. Also see "informative inspection."

A sampling method based on the judgment or expertise of the sampler, selecting specific samples deemed representative or relevant.

The Romanian-American industrial engineer Joseph M. Juran (1904 – 2008) is one of the pioneers and important figures in quality science. His core activity was the “Quality Trilogy.“ The process of systematic and continual quality improvement resulted in three recurring steps, namely, quality planning, quality control and quality improvement (quality trilogy).

Juran trilogy: Three managerial processes identified by Joseph M. Juran for use in managing for quality: quality planning, quality control and quality improvement.

Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers, Tokyo, Japan. www.juse.or.jp

A manufacturing approach focusing on producing goods or components as needed, reducing waste and inventory costs.

Concept from procurement logistics with the objective of delivering the right quantity of the right products in the right order (in sequence). Further development of the just-in-time principle in order to provide the delivered product or material synchronously with the production order.

Organization principle and procurement strategy with the objective of waste-free realization of overlapping processes tailored to the specific needs. The right products should be procured at the right time and in the right quantity and provided for further processing. If this parts flows is practiced everywhere, the warehouse stock can approach zero. Today this principle is being further developed through just-in-sequence.

Just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing: An optimal material requirement planning system for a manufacturing process in which there is little or no manufacturing material inventory on hand at the manufacturing site and little or no incoming inspection.

Just-in-time (JIT) training: The provision of training only when it is needed to all but eliminate the loss of knowledge and skill caused by a lag between training and use.

See Creativity techniques.

Kaizen: A Japanese term that means gradual, unending improvement by doing little things better and setting and achieving increasingly higher standards. Masaaki Imai made the term famous in his book, Kaizen: The Key to Japan’s Competitive Success.

A person leading or facilitating continuous improvement initiatives or activities within an organization, driving Kaizen principles.

Kanban: A method for providing material/product to a succeeding operation by signaling the preceding operation when more material/product is needed. This “pull” type of process control employs a kanban, a card or signboard, attached to a lot of material/product in a production line signifying the delivery of a given quantity. When all of the material/product has been processed, the card/sign is returned to its source, where it becomes an order to replenish.

A visual management tool displaying tasks or work items, their status, and progress in a workflow or process.

Kano model: Three classes of customer requirements, as described by Noriaki Kano: satisfiers—what customers say they want; dissatisfiers—what customers expect and what results in dissatisfaction when not present; and delighters/exciters—new or unexpected features that customers do not expect.

A statistical measure assessing the agreement between two raters or observers when evaluating categorical data.

Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, Flensburg. www.kba.de

A measure of agreement among multiple raters or judges when assessing the rank order of items or subjects.

A statistical measure determining the strength and direction of association between two ordinal variables.

A primary customer.

Arose as a sub-area of customer marketing in the 1960s and identifies the systematic cultivation of the relationships to important customers (key accounts). Because it is often the case that a few customers make up the largest share of the revenue, it is worthwhile for companies to give special attention to their key accounts. Usually a fixed contact person is established (key account manager) who is particularly responsible for ensuring that the important customer itself is successful in its market. Key account management does not mean the sale of products to large customers. Instead, the following is called for: Supplying solutions; helping with process optimization; contributing in the development of new products and services; and contributing to the joint development of new business fields or in strategy and future planning. This is because a customer‘s importance is not necessarily in the revenue; it can also be in access to new markets (regions, groups of customers) mediated by a customer or in the development of new technologies and products enabled or facilitated by this customer. Key Account Management is particularly encountered in the consumer goods and investment goods industry.

Key performance indicator (KPI): A statistical measure of how well an organization is doing in a particular area. A KPI could measure an organization’s financial performance or how it is holding up against customer requirements.

Metrics or indicators used to evaluate and measure the performance or success of an organization, process, or activity.

Metrics or indicators used to evaluate and measure the performance or success of an organization, process, or activity.

Key process: A major system level process that supports the mission and satisfies major consumer requirements.

Key process characteristic: A process parameter that can affect safety or compliance with regulations, fit, function, performance or subsequent processing of product.

Key product characteristic: A product characteristic that can affect safety or compliance with regulations, fit, function, performance or subsequent processing of product.

Key results area: Customer requirements that are critical for the organization’s success.

Kitting: A process in which assemblers are supplied with kits—a box of parts, fittings and tools—for each task they perform. This eliminates time-consuming trips from one parts bin, tool crib or supply center to another to get necessary materials.

The manner in which an organization pursues the targeted handling of theoretical and practical knowledge. As a rule, knowledge management checks which knowledge is needed in which scope for which function and then provides this knowledge in a suitable form. Knowledge can be broken down into explicit knowledge (can be expressed and passed on formally in language, words, images, etc.) and tacit knowledge (arises primarily in personal experience and is hard to put into words). Tasks comprise the definition of knowledge objectives, the organization of knowledge acquisition, promotion of the exchange of knowledge, seeing to knowledge preservation, and controlling the use of knowledge. In the newer management theory, knowledge management is increasingly seen as the promotion of the organization‘s ability to learn and in contrast, strictly hierarchical ordering and transmission of knowledge are criticized. The objective is an organization that is intelligent, that generates knowledge, and that is able to make decisions. Knowledge management is consequently less about pre-structuring knowledge and more about creating an organizational culture that encourages learning in the form of creating and implementing knowledge.

A targeted or specific improvement approach in Lean manufacturing, focusing on particular areas or aspects for enhancement.

Gesetz zur Kontrolle und Transparenz im Unternehmensbereich [German Corporate Sector Supervision and Transparency Act]. KonTraG went into effect on May 1, 1998 and has the objective of improving corporate governance (methods and instruments for managing and monitoring organizations) in German companies.

Key Performance Index or also Key Performance Indicator. Performance figure for determining and measuring the extent to which important objectives or critical success factors have been met.

Knowledge Process Quality Model: Model for assessing the maturity level of knowledge processes. It describes the development of the process maturity in six levels (level 0 – 5 from initial to continual improvement). Each is examined on the basis of four development paths (process organization; employee deployment and knowledge networks; acceptance and motivation; computer-based support). The assessment results can be used to derive prioritized actions for knowledge management.

Kruskal-Wallis test: A nonparametric test to compare three or more samples. It tests the null hypothesis that all populations have identical distribution functions against the alternative hypothesis that at least one of the samples differs only with respect to location (median), if at all. It is the analogue to the F-test used in analysis of variance. While analysis of variance tests depend on the assumption that all populations under comparison are normally distributed, the Kruskal-Wallis test places no such restriction on the comparison. It is a logical extension of the Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney Test (see listing).

Kooperation für Transparenz und Qualität im Gesundheitswesen [cooperation for transparency and quality in the health sector] (quality standard as an industry solution for hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing facilities, alternative dwelling forms and doctor‘s practices). The KTQ group was established as a combination of associations at the federal level in Germany in the mid-1990s with the objective of continual quality improvement in hospitals. The KTQ model is a practice-oriented method to evaluate quality and safety. It is furthermore an objective to increase transparency in the performance quality and medical performance and also to implement new quality elements. Today KTQ GmbH is an important supplier of systems to demonstrate quality management for facilities in the health sector in Germany. KTQ is also a registered trademark. Certification in accordance with the KTQ procedure is also possible. www.ktq.de

A statistical measure quantifying the degree of peakedness or flatness in the distribution of a dataset's values.

A descriptive tag or identifier attached to data points, elements, or categories for identification or classification.

The specific location or placement of labels within a graphical representation or display, aiding in data interpretation.

The percentage of total expenses attributed to labor costs within a business or production process.

Facility for performing inspections, tests and calibrations. These can be chemical, metallurgical, geometric, physical, electrical or reliability tests. (On the basis of IATF 16949:2016)

Laboratory scope: A record containing the specific tests, evaluations and calibrations a laboratory has the ability and competency to perform, the list of equipment it uses, and a list of the methods and standards to which it adheres to each of these.

Laboratory/lab: A facility that can perform calibration services, test validation and testing (for example, chemical, metallurgical, dimensional, physical, electrical and reliability testing).

A statistical term describing the discrepancy or inadequacy of a model in explaining observed variation in data.

A time delay or interval between cause and effect or the occurrence of events in a process or system.

A probability distribution describing continuous random variables with symmetric tails around a central location.

Last off part comparison: A comparison of the last part off a production run with a part off the next production run to verify that the quality level is equivalent.

Layout inspection: The complete measurement of all dimensions shown on a design record.

See Life cycle costs.

Lower Control Limit: The lower boundary or limit in a control chart indicating the minimum acceptable level of performance.

Lead time: The total time a customer must wait to receive a product after placing an order.

Leadership: The action of leading a group of people or an organization, an essential part of a quality improvement effort.

Lean: A systematic method for waste elimination or minimization (muda) within a manufacturing system without sacrificing productivity.

Lean enterprise: An organization that has eliminated or minimized waste (muda).

Delayering of the hierarchy and improved customer-supplier relationships by streamlining the company and avoiding wasting resources.

A production method emphasizing waste reduction, efficiency, and continuous improvement in manufacturing processes.

Lean manufacturing/production: An initiative focused on eliminating all waste in manufacturing processes. Principles of lean manufacturing include zero waiting time, zero inventory, scheduling (internal customer pull instead of push system), batch to flow (cut batch sizes), line balancing and cutting actual process times. The production systems are characterized by optimum automation, just-in-time supplier delivery disciplines, quick changeover times, high levels of quality and continuous improvement.

Lean migration: The journey from traditional manufacturing methods to one in which all forms of waste are systematically eliminated.

See Lean Management.

A combination of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, aiming to reduce waste and variation while improving processes.

A statistical method minimizing the sum of squared differences between observed and predicted values in regression analysis.

A key or explanatory guide in a graph or chart providing information about symbols, colors, or elements used.

The duration or period for which observations, data collection, or studies are conducted to gather information or insights.

A compilation or explanation of letter values used in statistical analysis or models for representation or interpretation.

Level loading: A technique for balancing production throughput over time. Life cycle stages: Design, manufacturing, assembly, installation, operation and shutdown periods of product development

Statistical measures assessing the impact or influence of individual data points on the overall regression model.

Measures in Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression assessing the influence or impact of variables on the model's structure.

Damage can be directly assigned to the party that caused it. Obligation to damage compensation on the basis of statutory provisions that require culpable behavior in the form of wrongful intent or negligence.

Combination of investment and cost accounting that reverts to the concept of the life cycle. Here, the cost-influencing factors are taken into account that often are not included in the cost accounting. A product‘s costs are analyzed across all of its life phases (from the development through to disposal). This results in recommendations for the product design and the procurement, with the objective of optimizing the total costs.

A statistical test comparing the likelihood of observed data under different models, assessing their goodness of fit.

Value for the lower limiting value and upper limiting value, which only differ by the sign. (On the basis of DIN 55350-12:1989)

Amount of the lower limiting deviation or of the upper limiting deviation regardless of whether the amounts are equal or not.

Lower limiting deviation or also upper limiting deviation. (On the basis of DIN 55350-12)

Quality level at which the lot inspected has a low probability of acceptance. Also referred to as LQ. (On the basis of ISO 3534-2:2013)

Object that physically represents the limiting value of a quality characteristic. (On the basis of DIN 55350-15)

Lower or upper limiting value. (On the basis of DIN 55350-15)

Laboratory Information Management System. A category of software systems that deals with data processing in chemistry, physics, biology or medical laboratories.

A technique optimizing work distribution among multiple workstations to reduce idle time and improve production efficiency.

A graphical representation displaying data points as dots connected by lines, highlighting trends or patterns in the data.

Constraints or limitations in a mathematical or optimization model represented as linear equations or inequalities.

A mathematical or statistical relationship between variables that exhibits a constant rate of change or proportionality.

The property of a relationship or model where changes in one variable cause proportional changes in another variable.

A mathematical function connecting the mean of a distribution to a linear predictor in statistical modeling.

Techniques or methodologies used in data analysis or clustering to link or group similar elements or data points together.

Last Inspection-Record Date: The date marking the last recorded inspection or evaluation of a particular item or asset.

Listening post: An individual who, by virtue of his or her potential for having contact with customers, is designated to collect, document and transmit pertinent feedback to a central collection authority in the organization.

A software or technology facilitating real-time collaboration or sharing of documents, data, or information among users.

A statistical test assessing whether residuals from a time series model exhibit significant autocorrelation at various lags.

A mathematical function representing the logarithm of the gamma function, commonly used in probability and statistics.

Load-load: A method of conducting single-piece flow in which the operator proceeds from machine to machine, taking the part from one machine and loading it into the next. The lines allow different parts of a production process to be completed by one operator, eliminating the need to move around large batches of work-in-progress inventory.

A statistical measure quantifying the likelihood of observed data given a specific model or distribution.

Residuals or differences between observed and predicted values in logarithmic space in statistical analysis or modeling.

A mathematical function representing the logarithm of the Student's t-distribution probability density function.

A mathematical function determining the power to which a fixed number (base) must be raised to obtain a given value.

Natural Logarithm: A logarithm using the base 'e' (approximately 2.718) often used in mathematical and statistical calculations.

An analytical method or approach based on reasoning, rational thinking, or deduction to derive conclusions or solve problems.

A probability distribution describing continuous random variables between a specified range, often resembling an S-shaped curve.

A statistical technique used to model the relationship between a binary dependent variable and one or more independent variables.

Variables in logistic regression models representing outcomes or dependent variables in binary or categorical form.

Ability to deliver and delivery reliability: The customer receives the right products in the right quantity at the right place and right time.

A probability distribution model with two shape parameters, often used in survival analysis or modeling extreme events.

A probability distribution characterized by its logarithm being normally distributed, frequently used in financial modeling and natural phenomena.

Graphical representation of statistical distributions and illustration of the extent of inequality. It was developed by Max Otto Lorenz.

Lost customer analysis: Analysis conducted to determine why a customer or a class of customers was lost.

Lot: 1) A defined quantity of product accumulated under conditions considered uniform for sampling purposes. 2) Items constituting a defined quantity of uniform product for purposes of proceeding collectively through a process.

Lot quality: The value of percentage defective or of defects per hundred units in a lot.

Lot size (also referred to as N): The number of units in a lot.

Lot tolerance percentage defective (LTPD): Expressed in percentage defective, the poorest quality in an individual lot that should be accepted. Note: LTPD is used as a basis for some inspection systems and is commonly associated with a small consumer risk.

Lot, batch: A definite quantity of some product manufactured under conditions of production that are considered uniform.

Flow chart with assignment to the organizational unit. The direct interface to the process customer (line of visibility) is distinctly visible. The LOV chart also shows which organizational unit deals with which process step.

The lower boundary or limit in a control chart, representing the minimum acceptable level of performance or quality.

Lower control limit (LCL): Control limit for points below the central line in a control chart.

Lower limiting value minus the reference value. (On the basis of DIN 55350-12)

The lower acceptable threshold for a product or process specified by customer requirements or standards.

Locally Weighted Scatterplot Smoothing: A method for creating a smooth curve or trendline through scatterplot data.

Limiting Quality. See Non-acceptable quality level.

Limiting Quality Level.

The Ludwig-Erhard-Prize is a German quality prize for outstanding achievements in competition which is awarded annually by the Ludwig-Erhard-Preis – Auszeichnung für Spitzenleistungen im Wettbewerb e.V. (ILEP) initiative. It was presented for the first time in 1997. The rating system‘s structure is similar to that of the European Quality Award. The Ludwig-Erhard-Prize fills the gap between individual national prizes in Germany and the EEA. This award bears the name of the German minister of economic affairs and later federal chancellor Ludwig Erhard (1897 – 1977), the “Vater des Wirtschaftswunders“, or leader of Germany‘s postwar economic recovery.

A variable influencing the relationship between other variables in a study but not directly observed or measured.

A statistical test used to evaluate the reliability or failure rate of a product or system under specific conditions.

See Management tools.

Suitability of the machine. Machine capability indices that are determined by the machine capability analysis are the CM and CMK value. They represent an estimate of the dispersion of the interesting, quantitative characteristics. When calculating these indices, only the machine‘s own influences are taken into consideration.

See Machine capability.

The time required to complete a full cycle or operation in a machine, often used in manufacturing process analysis.

The period during which a machine or equipment is not operational, typically due to maintenance, breakdowns, or issues.

The duration needed to prepare a machine or equipment for a specific operation or production run.

Relationship between quality, costs and time. The objective must be to balance all three competing parameters.

A statistical measure used to assess the distance between a data point and the mean in multivariate analysis, considering correlations.

Graphics tool to indentify a variable‘s influence on the output variable. Main effect plots are primarily used in the DoE (Design of Experiments) in order to examine how significant a variable‘s influence is on the output quantity being examined.

A graphical representation illustrating the main effects of different factors or variables on a response in experimental design.

Higher level process in a process hierarchy. Each main process constitutes an organizational unit and in turn is divided into various sub-processes.

Maintainability: The probability that a given maintenance action for an item under given usage conditions can be performed within a stated time interval when the maintenance is performed under stated conditions using stated procedures and resources. Maintainability has two categories: serviceability (the ease of conducting scheduled inspections and servicing) and repairability (the ease of restoring service after a failure).

1. Servicing, care, inspection and repair of technical instruments in a system in order to preserve the functional capability.

A document or sheet tracking and evaluating the performance of maintenance activities, tasks, or schedules.

A concept suggesting deliberately creating flaws or issues in a process to identify weaknesses and areas for improvement.

A manufacturing strategy where products are produced or customized based on specific customer orders or demands.

A manufacturing approach where products are produced in anticipation of demand, creating inventory available for immediate sale.

Quality award in the USA. This award is based on a TQM model: A maximum of 1000 points can be earned in each of seven categories. The prize has been annually awarded to a company from production, one from the service sector and to an SME since 1988.

Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA): An award established by the U.S. Congress in 1987 to raise awareness of quality management and recognize U.S. organizations that have implemented successful quality management systems. The award is managed by the U.S. Commerce Department National Institute of Standards and Technology and administered by CiCC.

Termination of a unit‘s capability to fulfill the required function. (IEC 60050)

Coordinated activities to direct and control an organization. ISO 9000:2015 recommends using the term management only for one person or one group of people if the further context an additional conceptual definition makes it possible to avoid confusion with the term management as defined above. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

Also called management by results.

Management of the objectives and the means. This procedure is based on the Japanese principle of Hoshin Kanri. Hoshin means objective or direction and Kanri stands for management or controlling.

The responsibility of an entrepreneur or planner for deficient organization of its internal procedures. ISO 9001 certification makes it easier to be released from claims based on management liability.

See Quality manual.

Process that has the character of giving instructions and making decisions. Management processes are also called control processes. In particular, these include human resources planning, corporate planning and target agreement processes, as well as the performance of statutory entrepreneurial duties.

See Quality management representative.

Management review: A top management meeting held at planned intervals to review the continuing suitability and effectiveness of one or more of an organization’s management system(s).

System to define policy and objectives and to achieve these objectives An organization‘s management system can include different systems, such as a quality management system, a financial management system and an environmental management system. (On the basis of ISO 9000:2015)

The (seven) management tools are problem-solving techniques that are used to analyze verbal information on the basis of visual methods. These tools are preferably used to process complex problems or when there is little or no numerical data available. In particular, these are: affinity diagram, interrelationship digraph, tree diagram, matrix diagram, matrix data analysis (portfolio analysis), problem decision program chart, and activity network diagram.

An approach to decision-making emphasizing the use of data, evidence, and facts rather than opinions or assumptions.

Manager: An individual with responsibility and authority over managing a process.

A non-parametric statistical test comparing two independent groups to determine differences in their distributions or medians.

Multivariate Analysis of Variance: A statistical technique examining differences among multiple groups for multiple dependent variables.

A statistical test used to assess the association between two categorical variables while controlling for another variable.

The time taken or spent by individuals or workers to perform tasks or operations manually, excluding automated processes.

The average cost incurred in producing a single unit of a product, considering all expenses related to manufacturing.

Manufacturing resource planning (MRP II): When material requirements planning and capacity planning and finance interface to translate operational planning into financial terms and into a simulation tool to assess alternative production plans.

Mapping symbols or icons: An easy, effective way to visually communicate the flow of materials and information.

The range within which the true value of a parameter is likely to lie, accounting for uncertainty in statistical estimates.

Costs caused by the production of an additional unit.

A graphical representation depicting the marginal relationship between variables, often used in exploratory data analysis.

Walter Masing (1915 – 2004), Ph.D. in physics, is a pioneer and important figure in quality science. Particularly in Germany he made a name for himself as a pioneer of modern, industrial quality science.

Coach and expert in the Six Sigma organization: The Master Black Belt is responsible for setting up the Six Sigma organization and for advising the Champions on how Six Sigma can optimally be employed and used to implement the firm‘s objectives. The Master Black Belt is the most important expert for all methods and tools, and conveys this information across all of a company‘s levels.

Master Black Belt (MBB): A problem-solving subject matter expert responsible for strategic implementations in an organization. This person is typically qualified to teach other facilitators the statistical and problem-solving methods, tools and applications to use in such implementations.

Material handling: Methods, equipment and systems for conveying materials to various machines and processing areas, and for transferring finished parts to assembly, packaging and shipping areas.

Material requirements planning (MRP): A computerized system typically used to determine the quantity and timing requirements for production and delivery of items to customers and suppliers. Using MRP to schedule production at various processes will result in push production because any predetermined schedule is an estimate only of what the next process will actually need.

Plural of Matrix: Mathematical structures used for data organization or representation, often in linear algebra or statistical analysis.

Matrix: A document for displaying the relationships among various data sets.

See Portfolio analysis.

The matrix diagram is a management tool (M7) for representing complex interrelationships. With the help of a matrix, the relationships and interactions of a problem or question are revealed step by step and shown in a clear manner. Up to four dimensions can be linked to one another (L, T and X matrix).

A graphical representation illustrating relationships among variables using a matrix format, aiding in data visualization.

Certain stage of maturity or organizational maturity of a company in the implementation of a management system or of a continual improvement process.

Maximum: The highest or largest value observed or attainable within a dataset or a given set of values.

Maximum average outgoing quality in a single sampling instruction.

See Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.

Management by Objectives.

Management by Policy.

See Machine Capability Analysis.

Machine Capability Control. See Machine capability.

Mean Down Time.

Mean: A measure of central tendency; the arithmetic average of all measurements in a data set.

A statistical function representing the cumulative distribution function for a continuous random variable's mean.

A measure of variability or dispersion calculated as the sum of squared deviations from the mean divided by degrees of freedom.

A concept in Taguchi methods focusing on optimizing processes to minimize variations around a target or desired mean.

Mean time between failures (MTBF): The average time interval between failures for a repairable machine, piece of equipment or product for a defined unit of measure; for example, operating hours, cycles and miles.

See Arithmetic mean.

The standard deviation of the sampling distribution of the sample mean, representing the uncertainty in estimating the population mean.

Physical quantity that is measured. (On the basis of DIN 1319-1)

Measure: The criteria, metric or means to which a comparison is made with output.

Index that registers deviations.

Measurement: The act or process of determining a value. An approximation or estimate of the value of the specific quantity subject to measurement, which is complete only when accompanied by a quantitative statement of its uncertainty.