Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) Practice Exam 2026 - Comprehensive All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success!

The term "process capability" specifically refers to the ability of a process to consistently produce output that falls within specified limits or tolerances. This concept is critical in quality engineering as it reflects how well a process can meet predetermined specifications over time. A capable process is one that operates within the design limits set forth, ensuring consistent quality and minimizing defects.

In quality control, process capability is quantitatively assessed using indices such as Cp, Cpk, Pp, and Ppk, which compare the width of the process distribution to the width of the specification limits. If the values indicate that the process is capable, it suggests that the process performance is satisfactory for production purposes.

Understanding process capability is crucial for identifying areas for improvement and ensuring the efficiency of manufacturing operations, while the other choices do not accurately define the term.