Statistical process control: an essential ingredient for improving service and manufacuring quality

TLDR

Many UK organisations are still learning SPC, despite its widespread use in Japan, and while control‑chart knowledge is important, it is not sufficient for successful SPC implementation. The paper argues that effective SPC deployment hinges on identifying and addressing the essential ingredients and implementation issues, rather than focusing solely on control charts. Research shows that UK engineering curricula largely teach only control‑charting, neglecting other critical components of SPC.

Abstract

Many organizations in the UK are still learning about the implementation and use of total quality management (TQM) techniques such as statistical process control (SPC), even though in other parts of the world, especially in Japan, they have been used widely and successfully for many years. Research carried out by the authors shows that almost the only thing taught to engineers within many UK academic institutions in relation to SPC is control charting. Although the understanding of control charts is a very important aspect of SPC, it is by no means the only one for the successful introduction and development of SPC. It is argued that the emphasis should not be on the control charts themselves, but on the essential ingredients for getting SPC started in organisations and the various issues associated with the implementation of SPC. This paper discusses the ingredients that are needed for the successful implementation of SPC.