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Quality Management Terms

TermDefinition
Pie chart

A chart that compares groups of data to the whole data set by showing each group as a "slice" of the entire "pie." Pie charts are particularly useful for investigating what percentage each group represents.
Plan-Do-Check-Act

A four-step improvement process originally conceived of by Walter A. Shewhart. The first step involves planning for the necessary improvement; the second step is the implementation of the plan; the third step is to check the results of the plan; the last step is to act upon the results of the plan. It is also known as the Shewhart cycle, the Deming cycle, and the PDCA cycle.
Policy deployment

Another name for hoshin planning.
Population

Population set of items from which a sample set is taken.
Process Capability
  1. A statistical measure indicating the inherent variation for a given event in a stable process, usually defined as the process width divided by 6 sigma.
  2. Competence of the process, based on tested performance, to achieve certain results.
Process Capability Index

Measurement indicating the ability of a process to produce specified results. Cp and Cpk are two process capability indices.
Quality Assurance

Traditionally refers to the systematic post-production checks, inspection, or reviews done to ensure quality of a product or service though in the strict sense of the definition that is an end of process quality control activity. Modern quality management systems consider Quality Assurance that through tools such Quality Audits, Quality Control, and specifically Systems Audits assures that the processes, tools, and safeguards are in place to produce quality products
Quality Audit

An independent investigation and assessment of quality activities and results to determine whether or not the quality plan is effective and appropriate.
Quality Circles
  1. Quality improvement teams or groups.
  2. In Japan, groups of employees formed for the study of and sharing information regarding quality control issues and theory.
Quality Control

The use of techniques and activities that compare actual quality performance with goals and define appropriate action in response to a shortfall.