Control Charts in the Workplace

“A control chart is merely a graphical record of data taken from a repetitive process…” Physically the control chart is a data distribution turned sideways with the horizontal axis being successive tests, days, distance, or some other indication of order.” An example is shown below with the math to derive the points.

Control charts are a very practical idea because they depict what to accept and reject in a very simplistic way that someone on a assembly line can understand.  Formulas and scripts can be written to update the control chart.

Now why don’t we use this useful too?  I think it is because leaders are unfamiliar and to distant from their academic years to do the raw math to computing these limits.  The math is very simple but those who have the capability and education stay away from using such tools.  Also there is a stigma against using math and statistics for the same reason people distaste economist and their predictions.  As a manage/supervisor the greater leverage to increasing productivity is not to come at you employees with numbers and stats but more of the softer relationship building skills.  Although keeping score with statistics can create a sports team mentality… statistics as your primary form of communication creates disconnection and resentment amongst the workforce.