Improving Change Detection

Example of control charts in detecting change in processes

Change detection in time-related data is a common application of statistical methods.  For example, we may want to detect if the consumer preferences have changed over time, if a piece of equipment has deteriorated and requires maintenance, or if a manufacturing process has drifted, increasing risk of producing defects. In my teaching, consulting, and general… Continue reading Improving Change Detection

Achieving Improvement

Process Improvement

In my blog Setting SMART Goals, I made the point that having a measurable goal in an improvement project is not enough — we have to know how it is measured and interpreted to make it useful. What makes a goal achievable?  In my work as a Continuous Improvement (CI) coach and consultant, I have… Continue reading Achieving Improvement

Is Your Process in Control?

Control Chart

In 1980, the American Society for Quality (ASQ) republished Walter Shewhart’s seminal book Economic Control of Quality of Manufactured Product as a 50th anniversary edition.  In his Dedication to this commemorative issue, W. Edwards Deming wrote: “There was never before greater need for statistical methods in industry and in research.”  I’d say the same today,… Continue reading Is Your Process in Control?