Library
Newsletter Archive - full copies of past Division newsletters
Statistics Body of Knowledge - our library content below focuses on the topics in this listing.
Scientific Method
The Generation of Knowledge and Quality
A reprint of Dr. George E.P. Box’s "Scientific Method: The Generation of Knowledge and Quality", that explains how the concept of continuous improvement is a fundamental part of the scientific process!..
- Filetype: pdf
- Publish date: 2016-03
- Keywords:Scientific method, quality improvement, inductive-deductive learning
Accelerating Product and Process Development Through Parallel Thinking and Experimentation
Mini-paper October 2012 Newsletter
Mikel Harry, one of the founding fathers of the Six Sigma movement, once stated that the next evolution in Six Sigma will not be towards higher levels of process capability but instead will involve a breakthrough in the quality of thought at the individual level. In this paper application of this philosophy is used to accelerate new product and process development with a methodology driven by question generation and parallel-thinking. There are typically many, many questions that need to be answered to close the gap in our understanding of Y = f(x) for a given product or process, consider ways in which you can answer these questions in parallel to accelerate your knowledge capture. By definition, multifactor DOEs already accomplish this. But often there are questions about the variation in the measurement system or underlying process or both. In this paper, a case study has been provided in which questions about the effects of controllable factors where answered in parallel with questions rega
- Filetype: pdf
- Publish date: 2012-10
- Keywords:Process Development, Product development, Six Sigma, Designed experiments, Gage R
Minimizing Business Risks Through a Statistics-Based Predictive Scorecard System
Mini-Paper Statistics Division Newsletter May 2012
This is the Mini-paper published in the Statistics Division Newsletter May 2012. A predictive performance management system is outlined which can be integrated into an overall business management system...
- Filetype: pdf
- Publish date: 2012-04
- Keywords:Minimizing Business Risks, Predictive Scorecards, Enhancing the Balanced Scorecard, Process Capability Indices Issues and Resolution, Cp, Cpk, Pp, and Ppk Issues and Resolution, Issues with Pie Charts and Resolution.

Quality Engineering Your Christmas Tree
Christmas trees are used as a case study to highlight quality applications in a non-manufacturing industry. Genetics is one of the latest tools being applied to improve the average quality level of tree crops. Tree improvement through selective breeding is heavily reliant on design of experiments (DOE) and statistical data analysis. The multi-year time frame required for tree crop growth requires long-term planning of longitudinal studies, sequential experimentation, and up-front identification of other factors for inclusion in these designs. Extensive work has been done by the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources to improve the trees grown and sold for wood products and for the Christmas tree market in particular. Experimental design considerations must take the underlying genetics into account, as well as balance complex logistical and feasibility issues associated with field testing. Statistical data analysis is critical in quantifying differences and interpreting results so th
- Filetype: pdf
- Publish date: 2010-10
- Keywords:Field Testing, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Improvement, Genetic, Christmas trees

Reliability: The Other Dimension of Quality
2002 Youden Memorial Address
This Youden Address relates reliability to quality and reviews methods and tools for improving reliability. Taken from the Spring 2003 Newsletter...
- Filetype: pdf
- Publish date: 2003-03
- Keywords:Reliability demonstration, Reliability assurance, Bayesian, Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), DMADV (Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Verify), Design for reliability, Failure modes and effect analysis (FMEA), Highly accelerated life testing (HALT)

Accelerating Innovation in Industrial Statistics
Mini Paper Appearing in Winter 2002 Newsletter
This paper describes ways in which industrial statisticians can gain knowledge of innovative statistical techniques through academic-industrial partnerships...
- Filetype: pdf
- Publish date: 2002-01
- Keywords:Communication

Some Suggestions for Successful Statistical Process Control
Mini Paper Taken from the Spring 2001 Newsletter
This Mini Paper provides suggestions to address three reasons that statistical process control (SPC) implementations sometimes fail...
- Filetype: pdf
- Publish date: 2001-03
- Keywords:Statistical process control, Out of control action plan, False alarms, Control charts, Measurement systems validation

A Call to Action
Winter 2001 Youden Address
This Youden Address discusses reasons the field of industrial statistics has failed to attain the recognition it deserves...
- Filetype: pdf
- Publish date: 2001-01
- Keywords:Response surface methodology, Control charts

A Perspective on Models and the Quality Sciences: Some Challenges and Future Directions
Winter 1999 Youden Address
This address advocates for the improvement of the outdated Shewhart model used in statistical process control and answers the criticism of those opponents who believe that the Shewhart control chart is the only one needed to fit all situations...
- Filetype: pdf
- Publish date: 1999-01
- Keywords:Control charts, Statistical process control, Time Series Data, Statistical Methods, Industrial experiments, Inductive learning

Contexts of Statistical Practice
Winter 1998 Youden Address
Lessons of the quality movement may be applied to statistical practice just as they are to other business activities. Three aspects are discussed: viewing systems, developing customer knowledge, and using a learning cycle to produce improvement...
- Filetype: pdf
- Publish date: 1998-01
- Keywords:Communication, Statistical Methods, PDSA (plan – do – study - act) Cycle