Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) Practice Exam

A Cpk value of 1.33 indicates that the process is capable and has a good level of performance concerning the specifications set for it. Specifically, a Cpk value measures how close a process is running to its specification limits, while also taking into account the inherent variability of the process. A Cpk value of 1.0 generally signifies that the process meets the minimum capability requirements, where the process is just meeting the specification limits. When the Cpk value rises to 1.33, it indicates that the process is not only producing outputs that are within the specified limits but is doing so with a buffer that suggests further room for improvement. This implies that, while the process is capable of consistently producing quality products, there is still potential for further enhancement to reduce variability and improve overall performance. In contrast, values below 1.0 would suggest that the process may be incapable and not consistently meeting specifications, while excessively high values could indicate over-engineering or an unnecessary level of control that may be impractical. Thus, the correct interpretation of a Cpk value of 1.33 aligns with the idea that the process is capable and has further opportunities for refinement.