Module 8 Review Questions
1. Provide some examples in business or daily life in which a controlled process is erroneously adjusted and an out-of-control process is ignored. What implications do these errors have?
My example of a controlled process that is erroneously adjusted is the thermostat. My house is two-story. The A/C unit upstairs is set on heat at a temperature of 76 degrees and automatic adjustment. Today’s weather temperature was unusual 80 degrees. So, the heat unit didn’t come on. However, due to the temperature outside, it still caused the house to heat up. So, the temperature upstairs was 80 degrees. That is an example of erroneous adjustment.
Examples of an out-of-control process in daily life that are ignored are getting old, high blood pressure or other health conditions. Anything that goes in the body internally is beyond anyone’s control. However, if health issues are not addressed properly, that can result in other health issues or death.
2. Would it make sense to draw specification limits on an x-bar chart? Why or why not?
No it wouldn’t make sense to draw specification limits on an x-bar chart. Confusing control limits with specification limits leads to mistakes. The most common mistake is to use specification limit values instead of control limit values on an X-bar chart or an Individuals chart. Using specifications on an X-bar is the most egregious error: the specifications are in one unit (items) while the chart is in another (average of several items). 3. Compare the lean service system of Southwest Airlines to a full service airline such as United Airlines or British Airways on the following: (a) airplane boarding process, (b) cabin service, (c) ticket transfer to other Southwest flights, (d) frequent flyer program, (e) baggage handling, (f) seat assignment system, and (g) service encounters.
The lean service system for Southwest Airlines is the following:
(a) Airplane boarding process – You will be assigned a boarding group (A, B, or C) and
My example of a controlled process that is erroneously adjusted is the thermostat. My house is two-story. The A/C unit upstairs is set on heat at a temperature of 76 degrees and automatic adjustment. Today’s weather temperature was unusual 80 degrees. So, the heat unit didn’t come on. However, due to the temperature outside, it still caused the house to heat up. So, the temperature upstairs was 80 degrees. That is an example of erroneous adjustment.
Examples of an out-of-control process in daily life that are ignored are getting old, high blood pressure or other health conditions. Anything that goes in the body internally is beyond anyone’s control. However, if health issues are not addressed properly, that can result in other health issues or death.
2. Would it make sense to draw specification limits on an x-bar chart? Why or why not?
No it wouldn’t make sense to draw specification limits on an x-bar chart. Confusing control limits with specification limits leads to mistakes. The most common mistake is to use specification limit values instead of control limit values on an X-bar chart or an Individuals chart. Using specifications on an X-bar is the most egregious error: the specifications are in one unit (items) while the chart is in another (average of several items). 3. Compare the lean service system of Southwest Airlines to a full service airline such as United Airlines or British Airways on the following: (a) airplane boarding process, (b) cabin service, (c) ticket transfer to other Southwest flights, (d) frequent flyer program, (e) baggage handling, (f) seat assignment system, and (g) service encounters.
The lean service system for Southwest Airlines is the following:
(a) Airplane boarding process – You will be assigned a boarding group (A, B, or C) and