Certified Production & Operations Manager (POM) Practice Exam

The normal application of a p-chart is primarily focused on which aspect of process management?

1. Process sampling by attributes

2. Product sampling by variables

3. Trend analysis

4. Cost analysis

The correct answer is: Process sampling by attributes

The normal application of a p-chart is focused on process sampling by attributes. A p-chart, or proportion chart, is a type of control chart used to monitor the proportion of defective items in a process over time. It is specifically designed to handle data that can be categorized into pass/fail or defective/non-defective classifications, which are considered attribute data. The p-chart allows managers and quality control professionals to track the stability of a process and detect any variations that might indicate a problem. As a result, it is an essential tool for ensuring that processes remain within acceptable limits and deliver high-quality products. This focus on attributes is central to maintaining operational efficiency and effectiveness in process management. In contrast, product sampling by variables, trend analysis, and cost analysis, while relevant to process management, do not align with the primary purpose of a p-chart. Product sampling by variables involves measuring continuous data rather than categorical outcomes, making it more suitable for other types of control charts, such as x-bar charts. Trend analysis involves looking for patterns over time, which goes beyond the immediate use of a p-chart. Cost analysis focuses on financial metrics rather than quality levels or process control, which is why it is not directly associated with the application of p-charts.