Six Sigma Green Belt Certification Practice Exam 2026 - Free Six Sigma Practice Questions and Study Guide

The chosen answer is FMEA, which stands for Failure Mode and Effects Analysis. This tool is specifically designed to identify potential failure modes within a process, product, or service and to assess the associated risks arising from those failures. FMEA helps teams consider the impact of each potential failure, estimate its frequency and detectability, and prioritize the risks in order of importance. By systematically analyzing possible failures, teams can implement corrective actions to mitigate those risks, thus enhancing overall quality and reliability.

FMEA is an integral part of quality management and is widely used in manufacturing, healthcare, and engineering processes for proactive risk management. It focuses on preventing problems before they occur, making it a vital tool in the continuous improvement process.

In contrast, QFD (Quality Function Deployment) is used to translate customer needs into technical requirements, emphasizing design and planning rather than risk assessment. The Ishikawa Diagram, also known as the fishbone diagram, is primarily a brainstorming tool that helps identify root causes of problems. The Boundary Diagram is used to define the scope of a project but does not focus on failure modes or risk reduction. Each of these alternatives serves different purposes within quality management, but FMEA specifically targets the identification and prioritization of risks associated with failures.