Certified Production & Operations Manager (POM) Practice Exam

A manager emphasizes that work should be as close to the target value as possible. This reflects which of the following concepts?

1. Lean Manufacturing

2. Six Sigma

3. Taguchi concepts

4. Continuous Improvement

The correct answer is: Taguchi concepts

The emphasis on ensuring that work is as close to the target value as possible aligns with the principles of Taguchi concepts. Taguchi methodology focuses on reducing variation and improving quality through the design of experiments. A key aspect is the idea of a target value, where the goal is to minimize deviation from that target to enhance product consistency and performance. Taguchi's approach suggests that the costs associated with deviation from the target can be significant, leading to suboptimal products. Therefore, striving to hit the target value directly correlates with maximizing quality while minimizing the costs related to poor quality. In contrast, lean manufacturing is primarily concerned with waste reduction and efficiency, while Six Sigma emphasizes reducing process variation and defects through statistical methods. Continuous improvement involves an ongoing effort to enhance services, processes, or products but does not inherently focus on meeting a predefined target value as Taguchi concepts do. Thus, Taguchi concepts are the most fitting answer to highlight the focus on minimizing deviation from a target.