Six Sigma Black Belt Certified Practice Exam

Which term best describes a team with members from different areas and various skills within an organization?

1. Self-directed

2. Cross-functional

3. Parallel

4. Process

The correct answer is: Cross-functional

The term that best describes a team composed of members from different areas and various skills within an organization is cross-functional. This type of team brings together individuals with diverse expertise and perspectives, which can enhance creativity and problem-solving. By integrating various functional areas, cross-functional teams can address complex issues more effectively, as they leverage the knowledge and skills of their members to achieve shared goals. This collaboration often leads to innovative solutions and improves the overall performance of projects since each member contributes their specialized knowledge. Self-directed teams typically operate with a high degree of autonomy and are responsible for managing their own workload but do not necessarily consist of members from various areas. Parallel teams might involve members from different functions but often work within the same time frame and focus on similar tasks without the full collaboration that characterizes cross-functional teams. Lastly, a process team generally centers around a specific workflow or sequence of activities within a single function, lacking the diverse skill set that a cross-functional team incorporates. Thus, the emphasis on diversity in skills and areas of expertise makes "cross-functional" the most accurate descriptor in this context.