An empirical investigation into the effectiveness of statistical process control techniques, with management data from a product development environment

• Main Author: Julien, Denyse
• Published: University of Nottingham 1998
• Subjects: 658; TS Manufactures
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.287175

The study reported on in this thesis was an empirical investigation into the implementation and use of, Statistical Process Control (SPC) techniques and tools in a product development environment. The data used originated from four different business units in the European flavour division of a large International company, belonging to the Flavour and Fragrance industry. The study highlights many of the problems related to the use of real data, and working with individuals throughout an organisation. The data distributions were positively skewed, and a comparison of the effectiveness of various methods for calculating the position of both the center line and the process control limits, on individual measurements control charts was made. The author was able to show empirically that SPC is a useful project management tool. Additionally, the author demonstrated that the use of either the median or trimmed mean approaches, were more effective in use when dealing with these types of skewed data distributions. Additionally, it was possible to define the relationship between the numbers of outside out-of-control signals and the numbers of run out-of-control signals. The study also provided some interesting insights into possible barriers to the transfer of the techniques, from the manufacturing floor into more traditional management areas. It also highlighted some areas for improvement in the product development laboratories of the company and potentially the industry.