APICS CPIM-Part-2 Exam - Topic 3 Question 44 Discussion

Actual exam question for APICS's CPIM-Part-2 exam

Question #: 44
Topic #: 3

A machine is suddenly having excessive downtime. Which of the following tools would be used in a root cause corrective action process to determine the problem?

AFailure mode effects analysis (FMEA)

BStandardized work analysis chart

CBalance chart

DA3 method

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: D

A3 method is a tool that can be used in a root cause corrective action process to determine the problem of a machine that is suddenly having excessive downtime.A3 method is a structured problem-solving approach that follows the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle and uses a single sheet of paper (A3 size) to document the problem, analysis, countermeasures, and results1.A3 method can help identify the root cause of a problem by using tools such as the 5 Whys or the fishbone diagram, and then develop and implement effective corrective actions to prevent recurrence2.A3 method can also help communicate the problem and the solution to stakeholders, as well as monitor and evaluate the outcomes3.

The steps of the A3 method are4:

Step 1: Define the problem and its impact. Describe the current situation, the gap between the actual and the desired state, and the scope and magnitude of the problem.

Step 2: Identify the root cause of the problem. Use tools such as the 5 Whys or the fishbone diagram to analyze the factors that contribute to the problem and drill down to its root cause.

Step 3: Propose countermeasures to address the root cause. Generate possible solutions that can eliminate or reduce the root cause, and evaluate their feasibility, effectiveness, and costs.

Step 4: Implement countermeasures. Select the best solution and plan how to execute it. Define the roles, responsibilities, resources, timeline, and expected outcomes of the implementation.

Step 5: Check results and process. Measure and compare the results before and after the implementation, and verify if the problem has been solved or improved. Also check if the process has been followed correctly and document any deviations or issues.

Step 6: Standardize successful processes or identify unresolved issues. If the results are satisfactory, standardize the new process and ensure that it is sustained. If not, identify the remaining or new issues and repeat the A3 method.

Therefore, A3 method is a tool that can be used in a root cause corrective action process to determine the problem of a machine that is suddenly having excessive downtime.

by Zena at Aug 03, 2025, 03:13 AM

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Margarita

8 months ago

Wait, are we really considering a balance chart for downtime issues?

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Sharan

8 months ago

Standardized work analysis chart? Not sure that fits this scenario.

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Leatha

9 months ago

Totally agree, FMEA is the best tool for this!

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Emeline

9 months ago

I think the A3 method could also be useful here.

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Laurel

9 months ago

FMEA is definitely the way to go for identifying failure modes.

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Remona

9 months ago

Balance charts are more about workload distribution, right? I don't think that’s what we need for downtime issues, but I could be wrong.

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Cruz

10 months ago

The standardized work analysis chart sounds familiar, but I can't recall if it directly addresses root causes. I feel like I’ve seen similar questions before.

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Curt

10 months ago

I remember practicing with the A3 method in class; it seems like it could be useful for problem-solving, but I’m not confident it’s the best fit here.

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Nguyet

10 months ago

I think FMEA might be the right choice since it helps identify potential failures and their effects, but I'm not entirely sure.

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Stefany

10 months ago

Based on the description of the problem, I'd say the A3 method is the way to go. It's a structured problem-solving approach that can help get to the root of the issue.

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Tarra

10 months ago

The standardized work analysis chart sounds like it could be relevant, as it might help identify any issues with the standard work procedures. But I'm not totally confident that's the right answer.

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Stevie

11 months ago

I'm a bit unsure on this one. Is the FMEA the right choice? It seems like it could be useful for analyzing potential failure modes, but I'm not sure if that's the best fit for this specific problem.

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Han

11 months ago

I think the A3 method would be the best tool to use here. It's a structured problem-solving approach that can help identify the root cause of the excessive downtime.

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