Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) Practice Exam 2025 - Free Quality Engineer Practice Questions and Study Guide

A process or product described as being insensitive to normal variation is termed “robust.” Robustness implies that the system can perform reliably under varying conditions without significant changes in output quality. In quality engineering, robustness is critical for ensuring that a product or process can maintain its functionality despite fluctuations or variations that occur in the process inputs, environmental conditions, or other influences that are typically expected in standard operating conditions.

This characteristic is desirable because it leads to reduced variability in the process results, enhancing the overall reliability and quality of the product. A robust process is often less susceptible to failures or defects and requires less frequent adjustments or corrective actions, which ultimately contributes to efficiency and consistency in production.

The other options reflect different quality characteristics. For instance, “out of control” indicates a process exhibiting excessive variation and instability; “in specification” refers to meeting defined criteria or limits; and “capable” denotes the ability of a process to produce outcomes that meet specifications, which may or may not include robustness alongside other factors. However, robustness specifically focuses on insensitivity to normal variation, making it the most accurate term for the scenario presented.