Statistical Process Control (SPC)

Description

• The continuous monitoring and evaluation of processes through statistical means such as control charts.

When to Use

• Do not use SPC as the catalyst to create radical change in an organisation or to enable dramatic improvements in process performance.  This technique is to be used in conjunction with an overall continuous improvement program, once new processes have been implemented in the client organisation.

Approach

The first step when using SPC is to ensure that the process is “in control”, i.e. appropriate measurements are within established control limits.  If a process is found to be out of control, analysis must be completed to determine and rectify why process performance is outside the established variances.  Once a process is in control, the variances can be gradually and systematically reduced to continuously improve the performance of the processes being analysed.