| Assignable Variation | eviation in the output of a process that can be clearly identified and managed. |
| Attributes | Quality characteristics that are classified as either conforming or not conforming to specifications. |
| Capability Index (Cpk) | The ratio of the range of values produced by a process divided by the range of values allowed by the design specification. |
| Common Variation | Deviation in the output of a process that is random and inherent in the process itself. |
| Conformance Quality | The degree to which the product or service design specifications are met. |
| Cost of Quality | Expenditures related to achieving product or service quality, i.e., costs of prevention, appraisal, internal failure, and external failure. |
| Design Quality | Inherent value of the product in the marketplace. |
| Dimensions of Quality | Criteria by which quality is measured. |
| DMAIC | An acronym for the Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control improvement methodology followed by companies engaging in Six-Sigma programs. |
| DPMO (defects per Million opportunities) | A metric used to describe the variability of a process. |
| Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award | An award established by the U.S. Department of Commerce given annually to companies that excel in quality. |
| Quality at the Source | Person who does the work is responsible for ensuring specifications are met. |
| Six Sigma | A statistical term to describe the quality goal of no more than four defects out of every million units. Also refers to a quality improvement philosophy and program. |
| Statistical Process Control (SPC) | Techniques for testing a random sample of output from a process to determine whether the process is producing items within a prescribed range. |
| Total Quality Management (TQM) | Managing the entire organization so that it excels on all dimensions of products and services that are important to the customer. |
| Upper and Lower Specification or Tolerance Limits | Range of values in a measure associated with a process that are allowable given the intended use of the product or service. |
| Variables | Quality characteristics that are measured in actual weight, volume, inches, centimeters, or other measures. |
