How is 'process capability' defined in manufacturing?

Process capability is defined as the ability of a manufacturing process to meet specifications consistently over time. This concept is crucial in quality control and ensures that the products produced by a process fall within the acceptable limits set by design specifications. Essentially, it reflects how well the process can perform its intended function while maintaining quality standards.

When evaluating process capability, key metrics such as Cp, Cpk, Pp, and Ppk are used to quantify how much variation is present in the process and how well it aligns with its specifications. A high process capability indicates that the process is stable and produces less variation, resulting in more consistent quality in the final products. This consistency is critical for customer satisfaction and meeting industry standards.

The other options do not accurately capture the definition of process capability. The involvement of employees or total production output pertains more to workforce management and productivity metrics, while profitability relates to financial aspects rather than the operational effectiveness of a manufacturing process in meeting quality requirements.