Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT one of the standard seven wastes in the workplace?

1. Defects

2. Overestimating

3. Waiting

4. Motion

The correct answer is: Overestimating

The standard seven wastes in lean manufacturing, often referred to as the "Seven Wastes," are recognized categories of waste that manufacturers aim to eliminate to improve efficiency and productivity. This framework is part of the Lean methodology, which helps organizations identify waste in processes. The correct choice, which is 'overestimating,' is not considered one of these standard seven wastes. The recognized wastes include defects, which refer to errors or flaws in products that require rework or cause customer dissatisfaction; waiting, which encompasses any time during which work is not being accomplished; and motion, which involves unnecessary movement by people or machines that does not add value. Each of the other three choices is a recognized category of waste in this context, as they directly impact efficiency and resource utilization. Defects lead to additional costs for correction and can harm a company’s reputation. Waiting affects workflow and can lead to bottlenecks, while excessive motion can cause fatigue and impact productivity. Understanding these categories helps organizations streamline their processes, reduce costs, and enhance productivity by focusing on eliminating wasteful practices. Overestimating does not fall within this framework and isn’t recognized as a waste that directly impacts the operational effectiveness in the same way as the standard categories.