What does the “Cpk” measure in process capability?

Cpk, or Process Capability Index, is a critical metric in quality management that assesses how well a process can produce output within specified limits. Specifically, it evaluates the ability of a process to meet customer specifications by measuring how close the process mean is to the target value and how much variability exists within the process.

When calculating Cpk, both the process mean and the spread of the data are taken into account. A higher Cpk value indicates a more capable process, meaning the process variance is small relative to the specification limits. The metric is particularly useful for identifying whether a process is capable of producing products that meet quality standards consistently.

Other options relate to different aspects of organizational performance or process analysis but do not directly pertain to what Cpk measures in terms of process capabilities. By understanding Cpk, organizations can make informed decisions about process improvements and ensure quality standards are met.