A conceptual framework for the effective implementation of statistical process control

Abstract

Statistical process control (SPC) is a powerful technique which organisations can use in their pursuit of continuous improvement of both product and service quality. Many organisations in the UK are still learning about the successful introduction, development and implementation of SPC, even though it has been widely and commonly used in many Japanese organisations with great success. Research in the UK academic institutions has clearly indicated that the only thing taught to engineers in relation to SPC is control charting and the mathematical aspects of the subject rather than the implementation aspects of the technique. It can be argued that it is not just control charts which makes SPC initiative successful in organisations, rather the emphasis should be on the critical factors which are essential for the success of SPC program and also issues such as “how to get started” and “where to get started”. This paper compares the existing frameworks for SPC implementation in terms of their strengths and weaknesses and then illustrates a conceptual framework for the successful introduction and application of SPC program in any organisation. The framework also shows a systematic approach to apply the SPC technique in an industrial setting.