American Society for Quality Certification Practice Test

Special cause variation refers to variations in a process that are not part of the inherent or normal behavior of that process. It is characterized by unexpected or unusual occurrences that can disrupt the typical flow or output. This type of variation is often caused by external factors or specific events that are outside the standard operating conditions, leading to a deviation from the expected performance. In contrast, the other options speak to different aspects of process variation. Statistical fluctuations inherent in the process relate to common cause variation, which is predictable and consistent over time. Consistent and repeatable results are indicative of a stable process, which contrasts with the unpredictability of special cause variations. Lastly, standard deviations are a statistical measure used to assess data spread, but they do not directly address the nature of special causes. Understanding the distinction between common and special cause variation is crucial for effective quality management and process improvement.