A logical collection of information in a particular domain that has been formalized in the appropriate representation with which to perform reasoning. A dynamic knowledge base is used to store information relevant to solving a particular problem and varies from one problem solving session to the next

Layout Inspection is the complete measurement of all part dimensions shown on the design record. A layout inspection may be required by some customers for all products annually unless another frequency is established in a customer approved control plan. Results shall be available for customer review upon request

An essential part of a quality improvement effort. Organization leaders must establish a vision, communicate that vision to those in the organization, and provide the tools and knowledge necessary to accomplish the vision

Evaluates the safety-critical equations, algorithms, and control logic of the software design. (2) Evaluates the sequence of operations represented by the coded program and detects programming errors that might create hazards

A defined quantity of product accumulated under conditions that are considered uniform for sampling purposes

See: assembly language. The advantage of assembly language is that it provides bit-level control of the processor allowing tuning of the program for optimal speed and performance. For time critical operations, assembly language may be necessary in order to generate code which executes fast enough for the required operations. The disadvantage of assembly language is the high-level of complexity and detail required in the programming. This makes the source code harder to understand, thus Increasing the chance of introducing errors during program development and maintenance

The probability that a failed system can be made operable in a specified interval or downtime/Or/the probability that a given maintenance action for an item under given usage conditions can be performed within a stated time interval when the maintenance is performed under stated conditions using stated procedures and resources. Maintainability has two categories: serviceability, the ease of conducting scheduled inspections and servicing, and repairability, the ease of restoring service after a failure

(QA) Activities such as adjusting, cleaning, modifying, overhauling equipment to assure performance in accordance with requirements. Maintenance to a software system includes correcting software errors, adapting software to a new environment, or making enhancements to software See: adaptive maintenance, corrective maintenance, preventive maintenance

An award established by Congress in 1987 to raise awareness of quality management and to recognize U.S. companies that have implemented successful quality management systems. Two awards may be given annually in each of three categories: manufacturing company, service company, and small business. The award is named after the late Secretary of Commerce Malcolm Baldrige, a proponent of quality management. The U.S. Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology manages the award, and ASQ administers it

A teacher and mentor of Black Belts. Provides support, reviews projects, and undertakes larger scale projects

Method quantifies and arranges matrix diagram data so that the information is easy to visualize and comprehend. The relationships between the elements shown in a matrix diagram are quantified by obtaining numerical data for intersection cells. Of the seven new QC tools, this is the only numerical analysis method. The results of this technique, however, are presented in diagram form. ... One major technique that this method also utilizes is known as principal components analysis

Method clarifies problematic spots through multidimensional thinking. ... The matrix diagram method identifies corresponding elements involved in a problem situation or event. These elements are arranged in rows and columns on a chart that shows the presence or absence of relationships among collected pairs of elements. ... Effective problem solving is facilitated at the intersection points, also referred to as the idea conception points. ... Matrix diagram are classified on the basis of their pattern into five groups: (1) the L type matrix, (2) the T type matrix, (3) the Y type matrix, (4) the X type matrix, and (5) the C type matrix

Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award: An annual award given to a United States company that excels in quality management and quality achievement. [Same as Baldrige Award.] 

The average of a group of measurement values. Mean is determined by dividing the sum of the values by the number of values in the group

The average time interval between failures for repairable product for a defined unit of measure, for example, operating hours, cycles, miles

A quantitative assessment of the degree to which a software product or process possesses a given attribute

The middle of a group of measurement values when arranged in numerical order. For example, in the group (32, 45, 78, 79, 101), 78 is the median. If the group contains an even number of values, the median is the average of the two middle values

Metacraftsmanship is a term used to tie together the many ideas shared by quality improvement, reengineering, management, leadership, and customer-driven production. Although these theories have much in common, they are often treated as separate and disparate approaches to improving a business. Metacraftsmanship focuses on overcoming the losses to society which are engendered by specialization, and suggests ways of getting complex organizations to work the way a single craftsman would

A quantitative measure of the degree to which software possesses a given attribute which affects its quality

The process of generating test sets for structural testing based upon use of complexity metrics or coverage metrics

An unplanned event or series of events resulting in death. injury, occupational illness, or damage to or loss of data and equipment or property, or damage to the environment. Syn: accident

A written declaration of the purpose of an organization or project team. Organizational mission or vision statements often include an organizational vision for the future, goals, and values

The degree to which a system or computer program is composed of discrete components such that a change to one component has minimal impact on other components

(1) In programming languages, a self-contained subdivision of a program that may be separately compiled. (2) A discrete set of instructions, usually processed as a unit, by an assembler, a compiler, a linkage editor, or similar routine or subroutine. (3) A packaged functional hardware units suitable for use with other components

A test coverage criteria which requires enough test cases such that all possible combinations of conditions outcomes in each decision, and all points of entry, are invoked at least once. Contrast with branch coverage, condition, decision coverage, path coverage, path coverage, statement coverage