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.