Title: Chapter 18 Introduction
Course: Canvas Practice Course

KEY CONCEPTS

Process operators monitor a control chart and determine what it is telling them about the process. Companies in the process industry use statistical thinking and statistics to help them determine when to make changes to a process. Changes are not made unless proof exists to substantiate the change. Statistical process control (SPC) is a tool used to continuously monitor process performance with charts and graphs. A company with a production process must use SPC to define nonconformances (products out of specification), assist in eliminating them, and to define the process capability.

The purpose of a control chart is to:

- Show the external customer the company’s reliability as a supplier.
- Improve the process for the internal customer by removing fluctuations and disturbances.

SPC charts and associated problem-solving techniques provide a picture of the performance of a process. This picture can be analyzed to detect an incipient problem and make a correction before the process produces off-spec product. Further, the chart can be analyzed to help identify the root cause of a problem--the first step toward problem elimination and prevention.