What is the primary purpose of Cpk measurement?

The primary purpose of Cpk measurement is to assess how well a process is centered and controlled. Cpk, or Process Capability Index, is a statistical tool used to evaluate the capability of a manufacturing process in meeting specification limits. It considers both the variability of the process and how well the mean of the process aligns with the target value of a specification.

A higher Cpk value indicates that the process is capable of producing output that is consistent with the desired specifications, meaning there is less risk of producing defective products. This measurement is crucial for ensuring quality control and continuous improvement in manufacturing processes, as it directly relates to the ability to meet customer requirements and maintain consistent output quality.

While the other options address important aspects of business operations, they are not the focus of Cpk measurement. For instance, measuring total production output relates more to overall productivity, gauging customer satisfaction levels focuses on customer experience rather than process capability, and reporting the average defect rate provides insight into quality but does not specifically measure how well the process is performing relative to specifications.