Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA)

The Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA) is a paraprofessional skilled in supporting quality engineers or supervisors by analyzing and resolving quality-related issues and contributing to quality improvement initiatives. This certification is suitable for recent graduates or professionals with experience who wish to showcase their understanding of quality tools and methodologies.

Exam Requirements

Candidates should have full-time, paid work experience.

• Two years of hands-on experience in one or more CQPA-related areas, or an associate degree or two years of equivalent higher education

Exam Details

To earn certification, each candidate must pass a multiple-choice exam that assesses their understanding of the Body of Knowledge. The Computer-Based CQPA exam is a single-section test with 110 questions, available only in English. Of these, 100 questions are scored, and 10 are unscored. The total session time is four and a half hours, with a dedicated exam time of 4 hours and 18 minutes. And, the Paper-Based Exam consists of 100 questions in a four-hour format, also in English. All exams are open book, and participants must bring their own reference materials.

Course Outline

The topics within this Body of Knowledge (BoK) include explanations and cognitive levels for each subject covered in the exam. These guidelines are used by the Examination Development Committee to create relevant test questions, helping candidates focus on specific testable content within each topic. The exam topics include:

1. Quality Concepts and Team Dynamics (20 Questions)

A. Professional Conduct and Ethics

Identify and apply behaviors that are aligned with the ASQ Code of Ethics. (Apply)

B. Quality Concepts

1. Quality

• Describe how using quality techniques to improve processes, products, and services can benefit all parts of an organization.
• Describe what quality means to various stakeholders (e.g., employees, organization, customers, suppliers, community) and how each can benefit from quality. (Understand)

2. Quality planning

• Define a quality plan, describe its purpose for the organization as a whole, and know who has responsibility for contributing to its development. (Understand)

3. Quality standards, requirements, and specifications

• Define and distinguish between national or international standards, customer requirements, and product or process specifications. (Understand)

4. Quality documentation

• Identify and describe common elements of various document control systems, including configuration management. Describe the relationship between quality manuals, procedures, and work instructions. (Understand)

5. Cost of quality (COQ)

• Define and describe the four cost of quality categories: prevention, appraisal, internal failure, and external failure. (Understand)

C. Quality Audits

1. Audit types

• Define and distinguish between basic audit types, including internal and external audits; product, process, and systems audits; and first-, second-, and third-party audits. (Understand)

2. Audit components

• Identify various elements of the audit process, including audit purpose and scope, the standard to audit against, audit planning (preparation) and performance, opening and closing meetings, final audit report, and verification of corrective actions. (Understand)

3. Audit roles and responsibilities

• Identify and describe the roles and responsibilities of key audit participants: lead auditor, audit team member, client, and auditee. (Understand)

D. Team Dynamics

1. Types of teams

• Distinguish between various types of teams: process improvement teams, workgroups/workcells, self-managed teams, temporary/ ad hoc project teams, and cross- functional teams. (Analyze)

2. Team development

• Identify various elements in team building, such as inviting team members to share information about themselves during the initial meeting, using ice-breaker activities to enhance team membership, and developing a common vision and agreement on team objectives. (Apply)

3. Team stages

• Describe the classic stages of team evolution: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning. (Understand)

4. Team roles and responsibilities

• Describe the roles and responsibilities of various team stakeholders: sponsor, champion, facilitator, team leader, and team member. (Understand)

5. Team conflict

• Identify common group challenges, including groupthink, members with hidden and/or competing agendas, intentional distractions, and other disruptive behaviors. Describe ways of resolving these issues and keeping team members on task. (Understand)

E. Training and Evaluation

• Describe various elements of training, including linking the training to organizational goals, identifying training needs, adapting information to meet adult learning styles, and using coaching and peer training methods. Describe various tools to measure the effectiveness of the training, including post-training feedback, end-of-course tests, and individual and department performance improvement measures. (Understand)

2. Quality Tools and Process Improvement Techniques (26 Questions)

A. Process Improvement

• Concepts and Approaches Define and explain elements of Plan- Do-Check-Act (PDCA), kaizen activities, incremental and breakthrough improvement, and DMAIC phases (define, measure, analyze, improve, control). (Apply)

B. Basic Quality Tools

• Select, construct, apply, and interpret the seven basic quality tools: 1) cause and effect diagrams, 2) flowcharts (process maps), 3) check sheets, 4) Pareto charts, 5) scatter diagrams, 6) run charts and control charts, and 7) histograms. (Evaluate)

C. Process Improvement Techniques

1. Lean

• Identify and apply lean concepts and tools, including set-up reduction (SUR), pull (including just-in-time (JIT) and kanban), 5S, continuous flow manufacturing (CFM), value-added analysis, value stream mapping, theory of constraints (TOC), poka-yoke, and total productive/predictive maintenance (TPM) to reduce waste in areas of cost, inventory, labor, and distance. (Apply)

2. Six Sigma

• Identify key Six Sigma concepts, including variation reduction, voice of the customer (VOC), belt levels (yellow, green, black, master black), and their roles and responsibilities. (Understand)

3. Benchmarking

• Define and describe this technique and how it can be used to support best practices. (Understand)

4. Risk management

• Recognize the types of risk that can occur throughout the organization, such as scheduling, shipping/receiving, financials, operations and supply chain, employee and user safety, and regulatory compliance and changes. Describe risk control and mitigation methods: avoidance, reduction, prevention, segregation, and transfer. (Understand)

5. Business process management (BPM)

• Define and describe this continuous process improvement practice, including the business process lifecycle phases (Design, Modeling, Execution, Monitoring, and Optimization). (Understand)

D. Management and Planning Tools

1. Quality management tools

• Select and apply affinity diagrams, tree diagrams, process decision program charts, matrix diagrams, interrelationship digraphs, prioritization matrices, and activity network diagrams. (Apply)

2. Project management tools

• Select and interpret scheduling and monitoring tools, such as Gantt charts, program evaluation and review technique (PERT), and critical path method (CPM). (Apply)

3. Data Analysis (33 Questions)

A. Basic Concepts

1. Basic statistics

• Define, calculate, and interpret measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and measures of dispersion (standard deviation, range, variance). (Analyze)

2. Basic distributions

• Define and explain frequency distributions (normal, binomial, Poisson, and Weibull) and the characteristics of skewed and bimodal distributions. (Understand)

3. Probability concepts

• Describe and use probability concepts: independent and mutually exclusive events, combinations, permutations, additive and multiplicative rules, and conditional probability. Perform basic probability calculations. (Apply)

4. Reliability concepts

• Define basic reliability concepts: mean time to failure (MTTF), mean time between failures (MTBF), mean time between maintenance (MTBM), and mean time to repair (MTTR). Identify elements of the bathtub curve model and how they are used to predict failure patterns. (Remember)

B. Data Types, Collection, and Integrity

1. Measurement scales

• Define and use nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio measurement scales. (Apply)

2. Data types

• Identify, define, and classify data in terms of continuous (variables) and discrete (attributes or counts). Determine when it is appropriate to convert attributes data to variables measures. (Apply)

3. Data collection and analysis

• Identify and describe the advantages of collecting and analyzing real-time data. (Understand)

4. Data integrity

• Recognize methods that verify data validity and reliability from source through data analysis using various techniques such as auditing trails, vendor qualification, error detection software, training for record management, etc., to prevent and detect data integrity issues. (Apply)

5. Data plotting

• Identify the advantages and limitations of using this method to analyze data visually. (Understand)

C. Sampling

1. Sampling methods

• Define and distinguish between various sampling methods, such as random, sequential, stratified, systemic/fixed sampling, rational subgroup sampling, and attributes and variables sampling. (Understand)

2. Acceptance sampling

• Identify and define sampling characteristics, such as lot size, sample size, acceptance number, and operating characteristic (OC) curve. Identify when to use the probability approach to acceptance sampling. (Understand)

D. Measurement System Analysis

• Define and distinguish between accuracy, precision, repeatability and reproducibility (gage R&R) studies, bias, and linearity. (Apply)

E. Statistical Process Control (SPC)

1. Fundamental concepts

• Distinguish between control limits and specification limits, and between process stability and process capability. (Apply)

2. Rational subgroups

• Explain and apply the principles of rational subgroups. (Apply)

3. Control charts for attributes data

• Identify, select, and interpret control charts (p, np, c, and u) for data that is measured in terms of discrete attributes or discrete counts. (Analyze)

4. Control charts for variables data

• Identify, select, and interpret control charts (X-R, X-s and XmR) for data that is measured on a continuous scale. (Analyze)

5. Common and special cause variation

• Interpret various control chart patterns (runs, hugging, trends) to determine process control, and use SPC rules to distinguish between common cause and special cause variation. (Analyze)

6. Process capability measures

• Describe the conditions that must be met in order to measure capability. Calculate Cp, Cpk, Pp, and Ppk measures and interpret their results. (Analyze)

F. Advanced Statistical Analysis

1. Regression and correlation models

• Describe how these models are used for estimation and prediction. (Apply)

2. Hypothesis testing

• Calculate confidence intervals using t tests and the z statistic and determine whether the result is significant. (Analyze)

3. Design of experiments (DOE)

• Define and explain basic DOE terms: response, factors, levels, treatment, interaction effects, randomization, error, and blocking. (Understand)

4. Taguchi concepts and methods

• Identify and describe Taguchi concepts: quality loss function, robustness, controllable and uncontrollable factors, and signal to noise ratio. (Understand)

5. Analysis of variance (ANOVA)

• Define key elements of ANOVAs and how the results can be used. (Understand)

4. Customer-Supplier Relations (13 Questions)

A. Internal and External Customers and Suppliers

• Define and distinguish between internal and external customers and suppliers. Describe their impact on products, services, and processes, and identify strategies for working with them to make improvements. (Apply)

B. Customer Satisfaction Methods

• Describe the different types of tools used to gather customer feedback: surveys, focus groups, complaint forms, and warranty analysis. Explain key elements of quality function deployment (QFD) for understanding and translating the voice of the customer. (Understand)

C. Product and Process Approval Systems

• Describe how validation and qualification methods, including beta testing, first-article, in-process, and final inspection are used to approve new or updated products, processes, and services. (Understand)

D. Supplier Management

1. Supplier selection

• Describe and outline criteria for selecting, approving, and classifying suppliers, including internal rating programs and external certification standard requirements, including environmental/social responsibility. (Understand)

2. Supplier performance

• Describe supplier performance in terms of measures such as quality (e.g., defect rates, functional performance), price, delivery speed, delivery reliability, level of service, and technical support. (Understand)

E. Material Identification, Status, and Traceability

• Describe the importance of identifying material by lot, batch, source, and conformance status, including impact for recalls. Describe key requirements for preserving the identity of a product and its origin. Use various methods to segregate nonconforming material and process it according to procedures. (Apply)

5. Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) (8 Questions)

A. Corrective Action

• Demonstrate key elements of the corrective action process: identify the problem, contain the problem, determine the root causes, propose solutions to eliminate and prevent their recurrence, verify that the solutions are implemented, and confirm their effectiveness. (Apply)

B. Preventive Action

• Demonstrate key elements of a preventive action process: track data trends and patterns, use failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), review product and process monitoring reports, and study the process to identify potential failures, defects, or deficiencies. Improve the process by developing error/mistake-proofing methods and procedural changes, verify that the changes are made, and confirm their effectiveness. (Apply)

Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA): FAQs

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Policies and Procedures

Below are some of the exam-related policies:

Identification Policy

You must present one valid, government-issued photo ID with a signature, such as a driver’s license or passport. The name on your ID must exactly match the name on your application. During your time at the test center, all personal items will be stored in a temporary Prometric locker. You may keep only your ID and locker key with you.

References/Open Book Policy

Prometric will supply scratch paper and pencils. All ASQ exams are open books, and reference materials (including notes) must be securely bound and remain so throughout the exam. “Bound” refers to materials that are permanently bound by stitching or glue, or securely fastened in a cover by fasteners like ring binders, spiral binders, plastic snap binders, brads, or screw posts. Hand-stapled documents that are not securely fastened are not permitted. The Test Center Administrator (TCA) will review all reference materials before you enter the exam room. “Post-It” notes may be used as tabs, but they must be attached before entering the test center.

Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA) Exam Study Guide

1. Utilize ASQ Official Body of Knowledge

The Body of Knowledge (BoK) is a valuable resource for those preparing for the Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA) exam. It provides detailed explanations and designated cognitive levels for each topic and subtopic covered in the test, giving candidates insight into the depth of understanding required. By using the BoK, candidates can identify and focus on specific content areas likely to appear in the exam, allowing for targeted study and better comprehension of key quality concepts. This structured approach helps ensure that candidates are well-prepared and confident when tackling the exam questions.

2. Use the ASQ CQPA Exam Official Handbook

ASQ Handbook serves as a key reference for ASQ’s Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA) Body of Knowledge (BoK), offering essential material to help candidates prepare for the CQPA exam. It is designed for quality professionals who, under the guidance of quality engineers or supervisors, engage in analyzing and solving quality challenges while contributing to quality improvement initiatives. This resource is suited for both recent graduates and experienced professionals aiming to deepen their understanding of quality tools and processes. The CQPA Body of Knowledge is organized into five core sections, each containing related subsections:

• Quality Concepts and Team Dynamics
• Quality Tools and Process Improvement Techniques
• Data Analysis
• Customer-Supplier Relations
• Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA)

3. CQPA Exam Training Course

Prepare effectively for ASQ’s Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA) exam with this in-depth course, offering industry-focused content, relevant examples, and practice questions similar to those on the exam. A printable PDF is provided for quick reference during your study. This course covers all topics in the CQPA Body of Knowledge (BoK), allowing you to build on your existing knowledge, revisit essential concepts, and strengthen exam readiness. Developed and reviewed by ASQ-certified experts, this course adheres to the same standards as those used in the official exam.

The course begins with a pretest to identify focus areas, followed by content organized according to the BoK and designed for the appropriate cognitive (Bloom’s) level. It includes interactive sections, illustrations, examples, and progress check questions in PDF format. A post-test is also available for score comparison, helping you track your improvement.

4. Join Study Groups

Joining study groups can be a highly effective strategy for preparing for the Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA) exam. In a group setting, candidates can share resources, clarify complex concepts, and discuss various quality process topics, which helps reinforce knowledge and improve understanding. Study groups also provide a supportive environment for asking questions, exchanging study tips, and tackling challenging areas of the Body of Knowledge (BoK) together. Additionally, group discussions allow participants to gain new perspectives and insights that may not surface in solo study, ultimately enhancing overall exam readiness.

5. Take Practice Tests

Taking practice tests is a valuable strategy for preparing for the Certified Quality Process Analyst (CQPA) exam. Practice tests allow candidates to experience the structure and types of questions that may appear on the actual exam, helping to reduce surprises and build confidence. Regular practice enables you to pinpoint areas that need improvement, allowing for focused study on specific topics within the Body of Knowledge (BoK). It also enhances time management skills, which is critical for completing all questions within the allotted time. Reviewing your practice test answers is just as important, as it reinforces correct information, clarifies any misunderstandings, and solidifies your grasp of quality process concepts, ensuring a more confident and thorough preparation.