How do I count opportunities?

Count each agreed binary defect check actually inspected. If every unit has four checks, one hundred units provide four hundred opportunities.

Can one part contribute several defects?

Yes, when different defined opportunities fail. Count each opportunity at most once under this model.

Only when each unit has one opportunity and every defective unit contributes exactly one failed opportunity.

It can lower the number without changing defects. Keep opportunity definitions fixed so the metric continues to describe the same inspection scope.

Quality & Metrology calculator

Normalize observed failed opportunities to a million defined opportunities and compare with your DPMO target.

Normalize observed failed opportunities to a million defined opportunities and compare with your DPMO target.

DPMO = failed opportunities ÷ inspected opportunities × 1,000,000
Failed opportunity percentage = failed opportunities ÷ inspected opportunities × 100
DPMO headroom = maximum target DPMO − observed DPMO
Passing opportunities = inspected opportunities − failed opportunities

Failed Opportunities: Count failed checks once per defined defect opportunity.
Inspected Opportunities: Total distinct binary defect opportunities actually inspected.
Maximum Target DPMO: Maximum DPMO specified for the same opportunity definitions.

Best suited to fewer failed Opportunities, more failed opportunities.
DPMO is not defective parts per million when parts have several opportunities. Comparisons require consistent opportunity definitions and inspection coverage.

U.S. manufacturing runs at 75.7% of capacity (Federal Reserve, Aug 2026). New factory orders are up 8.5% year over year (Census).

How do I count opportunities? Count each agreed binary defect check actually inspected. If every unit has four checks, one hundred units provide four hundred opportunities.
Can one part contribute several defects? Yes, when different defined opportunities fail. Count each opportunity at most once under this model.
Is DPMO the same as defective parts per million? Only when each unit has one opportunity and every defective unit contributes exactly one failed opportunity.
Does adding more opportunities improve quality? It can lower the number without changing defects. Keep opportunity definitions fixed so the metric continues to describe the same inspection scope.

Last reviewed 2026-10-06.