Focus of Six Sigma and the Use of SPC

TM

Y=F(x)
To get results, should we focus our behavior on the Y or
Y
Dependent
Output
Effect
Symptom
Monitor

X1 . . . X N
Independent
Input
Cause
Problem
Control

If we find the vital few Xs, first consider

using SPC on the Xs to achieve a desired Y?
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Control Chart Anatomy

TM

Special
Cause
Variation
Process is
Out of
Control

Run Chart of
data points

Upper
Control Limit

+/- 3 sigma

Common
Cause
Variation
Process is
In Control
Lower
Control Limit

Special
Cause
Variation
Process is
Out of
Control

Mean

Process Sequence/Time Scale

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Control and Out of Control

TM

Outlier

3
2
1
-1

99.7%

95%

68%

-2
-3

Outlier

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Size of Subgroups
TM

Typical subgroup sizes are 3-12 for Variable Data:

If difficulty of gathering sample or expense of testing exists the size,
n, is smaller
3, 5, and 10 are the most common size of subgroups because of
ease of calculations when SPC is done without computers.
Size of subgroups aid in detection of shifts of Mean indicating Special
Cause exists. The larger the subgroup size, the greater chance of
detecting a Special Cause. Subgroup size for Attribute Data is often 50
200.
Lot 1

Lot 5
Lot 3

Lot 2
Lot 4

Short-term studies

Long-term study

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The Impact of Variation

TM

Sources of
Variation
- Natural Process
Variation as defined by
subgroup selection

Sources of
Variation
- Natural Process
Variation
- Different Operators

Sources of
Variation
- Natural Process Variation
- Different Operators
- Supplier Source

-UCL
-LCL

First, select the spread

that we will declare as
the Natural Process
Variation, so that
whenever any point
lands outside these
Control Limits, an
alarm will sound

So, when a second

source of variation
appears, we will
know!

And, of course, if two

additional sources of variation
arrive, we will detect that,
too!

If you base your limits on all three sources of variation, what will sound the
alarm?

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