ICGB study plan
ICGB · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Define
Define the scope and boundaries of the Define phase and explain how customer requirements, CTQs, and project charters connect to downstream measurement decisions.
Draft a one-page project charter for a realistic process scenario, including problem statement, goal statement, scope, team roles, and a measurable business case.
Identify stakeholders and translate their stated needs into preliminary CTQ characteristics using a structured voice-of-customer collection approach.
Build a SIPOC diagram for the same process and label suppliers, inputs, process steps, outputs, and customers without consulting notes.
Your checkpoint
A completed one-page project charter plus SIPOC and draft CTQ list for a single chosen process scenario.
Define & Measure
Map each Define-phase CTQ to at least one candidate operational definition and measurement method.
Distinguish discrete from continuous data and select the appropriate measurement scale for each CTQ.
Explain the components of a measurement system analysis and when gauge R&R, bias, linearity, and stability studies apply.
Calculate basic descriptive statistics (mean, median, standard deviation, range) by hand from a small dataset to verify understanding of formulas.
Your checkpoint
A CTQ-to-measurement plan table with operational definitions, data types, and planned MSA approach for each metric.
Measure
Conduct or simulate a gauge R&R study and interpret percent contribution, percent study variation, and number of distinct categories against acceptance criteria.
Construct and interpret a control chart for measurement stability over time.
Explain sampling plans, sample size considerations, and sources of bias such as stratification and non-response.
Document a data collection plan specifying who collects what, where, when, and how, including operational definitions and data integrity checks.
Your checkpoint
A written data collection plan with an accompanying MSA interpretation memo stating whether the measurement system is acceptable and why.
Measure & Analyze
Summarize a dataset using graphical tools (histogram, run chart, Pareto chart, box plot) and state what each reveals about distribution shape and variation.
Calculate process capability indices (Cp, Cpk, Pp, Ppk) and explain the difference between short-term and long-term variation.
Explain the Central Limit Theorem and its role in sampling distributions and confidence intervals.
Set up a structured data analysis file with clean, documented variables ready for hypothesis testing.
Your checkpoint
A capability analysis report with graphs, indices, and a written interpretation of whether the process meets specification.
Analyze
Select the correct hypothesis test (one-sample t, two-sample t, paired t, chi-square, ANOVA, proportion test) for a stated question and justify the choice.
State null and alternative hypotheses, significance level, and the meaning of p-values and confidence intervals for each test scenario.
Interpret correlation coefficients and simple linear regression output, including R-squared and residual patterns.
Distinguish statistical significance from practical significance and explain power and sample size implications.
Your checkpoint
A hypothesis testing workbook containing at least five worked scenarios with test selection rationale and written conclusions.
Analyze & Improve
Translate validated root causes from Analyze into prioritized improvement opportunities using impact and effort criteria.
Generate and screen solution alternatives with structured tools such as brainstorming, benchmarking, and a solution selection matrix.
Explain the purpose and mechanics of design of experiments, including factors, levels, main effects, and interactions, and identify when screening designs are appropriate.
Develop a pilot plan with success criteria, risk mitigation, and a plan for verifying that improvements address the root cause.
Your checkpoint
An improvement plan with root causes, prioritized solutions, a selection matrix, and a pilot design with success metrics.
Improve & Control
Implement the pilot concept in a simulated or real setting and record before-and-after metrics against the defined success criteria.
Explain mistake-proofing approaches and select appropriate poka-yoke devices for common failure modes.
Distinguish control charts by data type (Xbar-R, Xbar-S, individual-moving range, p, np, c, u) and select the correct chart for a given process.
Identify the key elements of a control plan, including process owner, monitoring method, reaction plan, and documentation.
Your checkpoint
A control plan and updated process documentation for the improved process, including selected control chart and reaction plan.
Control & Define
Interpret control chart patterns and apply Western Electric or Nelson rules to detect out-of-control signals.
Conduct a final integrated review that traces one project end to end from Define through Control, explaining the decision at each phase.
Complete timed practice sets across all five domains and review every missed item to identify knowledge gaps.
Build a personal exam-day reference sheet of formulas, chart selection rules, and test selection criteria.
Your checkpoint
A completed end-to-end project case summary plus a scored full-length practice set with a gap remediation list.
Milestones
Week 2: Can write a project charter and SIPOC from memory and map every CTQ to an operational definition without referring to notes.
Week 4: Can run a gauge R&R interpretation and compute Cp and Cpk correctly, explaining short-term versus long-term variation.
Week 6: Can select the correct hypothesis test for a scenario and interpret p-values, confidence intervals, and regression output in plain language.
Week 8: Score at least 80 percent on a timed full-length practice set, with no domain below 70 percent, and have a written remediation list for remaining gaps.