Statistical Process Control

This chapter talks about the relevant concepts and applications in a laboratory setting. It commences with a brief summary of what statistical process control (SPC) is all about. The chapter describes the major components of SPC and explains their application to interpreting the statistical behavior of a process. Laboratories often use alternative terminology by referring to the use of SPC methodology in their internal quality control program as statistical quality control (SQC). The chapter illustrates a control chart which is the most used and most successful SPC tool. SPC is the method used to monitor processes, track conformity to specifications, and evaluate the actual measurement process. Statistical Control Charts help to distinguish between common causes and special causes of variation. The chapter talks about capability analysis, and suggests a nonparametric approach or statistical technique for handling data that is not normal.