A strategic methodology to the use of advanced statistical quality improvement techniques

It is widely considered that the advanced statistical quality improvement techniques (ASQIT) such as design of experiments and Taguchi methods form an essential part of the search for effective quality control. These quality improvement techniques are well established methodologies in which statisticians are formally trained. Research has shown that the application of these ASQIT for solving process quality problems by industrial engineers in manufacturing companies are limited and when applied they are often performed incorrectly. Presents a strategic and practical methodology with the aim of assisting industrial engineers to tackle manufacturing quality problems in a systematic and structured manner. The potential benefit of this practical methodology is its simplicity in usage and it is therefore readily accessible to the engineering fraternity for solving quality problems in real life situations. The paper also highlights the results of five industrial case studies which were used to validate and refine the methodology.