Certified Production & Operations Manager (POM) Practice Exam

How many defects per million opportunities are typical for a six sigma program?

1. 1.5

2. 3.4

3. 5

4. 10

The correct answer is: 3.4

A Six Sigma program aims for high levels of quality and efficiency by minimizing defects in processes. The goal of a Six Sigma initiative is to achieve a defect rate of no more than 3.4 defects per million opportunities. This figure represents the statistical benchmark for Six Sigma quality, which implies a process variation that results in a highly reliable output. Reaching a Six Sigma level means that a process operates with a defect rate that is very low—specifically, 3.4 defects can occur in one million opportunities for failure. This rigorous quality standard helps organizations improve processes, enhance customer satisfaction, and ultimately achieve significant cost savings through reduced waste and defects. In contrast, the other figures presented are not aligned with the Six Sigma quality standard. Higher defect rates indicate a quality level that does not meet the Six Sigma criteria, signifying less effective processes. Therefore, the choice indicating 3.4 defects per million opportunities accurately reflects the goal of a Six Sigma program.