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Statistical Thinking for Everyone

Popularized in manufacturing, SPC must be practiced throughout an organization to ensure quality

A lot of statistics, too little understanding
Image: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Quality Transformation With David Schwinn
Wed, 01/18/2017 - 12:03
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I recently presented “Statistical Thinking for OD Professionals” for the Organization Development Network annual conference. It was well received, but more important, it reignited in me a passion for the use of control charts in decision making for everyone who uses numbers, or needs to use them for decisions that guide the future.

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That reigniting was once again fueled by the Nov, 16, 2016 article in Quality Progress titled, “Understanding Variation—26 Years Later” (Nolan, T., Perla, R. J., and Provost, L.).

My passion comes from remembering a few “big, bad” decisions over the years and many smaller mistakes in the misuse or lack of use of appropriate statistical tools. Here are a few:

 …

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Comments

Submitted by dvanputten on Wed, 01/18/2017 - 12:12

Wonderful Article Statistics and Thinking

Hello David:

It is energizing to see an article with thinking from Shewart, Deming, Tribus, Nolan, etc. Trend charts and control limits can be so revealing!

Thank you, Dirk

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Submitted by Steve Moore on Thu, 01/26/2017 - 10:25

Trend Charts - YIKES!

Dirk,

Trend charts are virtually useless and they are viciously ABUSED by the user(s).  Almost any data plotted over time will show a "trend" and lead to bad decisions.  Properly constructed/properly analysed Run Charts and Control Charts (Process Behavior Charts) are the tools to use.

Best regards,

Steve

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