Abstract

Preparation for process improvement helps an individual or team manage the improvement cycle. Planning is needed for development of a control chart that will identify causes of variation. The chart should be part of a Model to Improve Quality. This model consists of: a list that describes the improvement activity; knowledge about the process; and the improvement cycle. A common version of the cycle is the PDCA (plan-do-check-act) cycle. The control chart planning form should have a purpose or objective agreed on by members of the improvement team. Then, the team selects and records on the form: variables for measurement; types of data to collect; methods of measurement; and sampling techniques. Also on the planning form should be a place for notes about special causes of variation. As part of the planning process, the team can identify potential causes, create a cause-and-effect diagram, and develop procedures for reacting to special causes. The control chart plan then identifies who will be trained to maintain the chart and when data from the chart will be analyzed.