PMI Scheduling Professional Certification (PMI-SP) Practice Exam

What is the main purpose of variable sampling in quality management?

1. To fix issues in quality after they are identified

2. To assign a grade to the quality of outputs

3. To predict the value of specific variables within a population

4. To count defects in a product

The correct answer is: To predict the value of specific variables within a population

The main purpose of variable sampling in quality management is to predict the value of specific variables within a population. This approach involves collecting and analyzing data on measurable characteristics of a product or process, typically using continuous data. Variable sampling allows quality managers to assess the variability and performance of processes quantitatively, helping to identify trends and potential areas for improvement. By using variable sampling, organizations can better understand the distribution of quality characteristics, make informed decisions based on statistical analysis, and ultimately improve the overall quality of their products or services. It provides insights into how closely a process adheres to its specifications and helps in forecasting future performance. The other options focus on different aspects of quality management. Fixing issues after they are identified relates to corrective actions rather than the predictive abilities of variable sampling. Assigning a grade to the quality of outputs pertains to acceptance sampling rather than variable sampling. Counting defects in a product leans more towards attributes sampling, which is distinctly different from the continuous measures utilized in variable sampling.