What is a “control plan” in Six Sigma?

A control plan in Six Sigma is fundamentally a documented method used to maintain desired performance levels for processes or products. It outlines the specific actions, measurements, and responsibilities necessary to ensure that a process remains stable and produces output that meets quality standards. This systematic approach allows teams to monitor and control process consistency over time, ensuring that any variations from the desired performance levels are quickly identified and addressed, thus maintaining the integrity of the process.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of a control plan. For instance, a plan for controlling project budgets pertains specifically to financial management rather than process quality and stability. Similarly, guidelines for team meeting schedules address organizational aspects of team functioning rather than the technical aspects of process control. Finally, a historical document for previous projects may provide useful insights and lessons learned, but it does not serve the proactive, continuous improvement purpose of a control plan, which is focused on maintaining control and performance in real-time.