What is Statistical Process Control (SPC)?

Quality Glossary Definition: Statistical Process Control

Statistical process control (SPC) is defined as the use of statistical techniques to control a process or production method.
SPC tools and procedures can help you monitor process behavior, discover issues in internal systems, and find solutions for
production issues. Statistical process control is often used interchangeably with statistical quality control (SQC).

A popular SPC tool is the control chart, originally developed by Walter Shewhart in the early 1920s. A control chart helps
one record data and lets you see when an unusual event, such as a very high or low observation compared with “typical”
process performance, occurs.

Control charts attempt to distinguish between two types of process variation:

 Common cause variation, which is intrinsic to the process and will always be present
 Special cause variation, which stems from external sources and indicates that the process is out of statistical
control

Various tests can help determine when an out-of-control event has occurred. However, as more tests are employed, the
probability of a false alarm also increases.

Source: https://asq.org/quality-resources/statistical-process-control

Statistical Process Control (SPC)

The concepts of Statistical Process Control (SPC) were initially developed by Dr. Walter Shewhart of Bell Laboratories in
the 1920's, and were expanded upon by Dr. W. Edwards Deming, who introduced SPC to Japanese industry after WWII.
After early successful adoption by Japanese firms, Statistical Process Control has now been incorporated by organizations
around the world as a primary tool to improve product quality by reducing process variation.

Dr. Shewhart identified two sources of process variation: Chance variation that is inherent in process, and stable over time,
and Assignable, or Uncontrolled variation, which is unstable over time - the result of specific events outside the system.
Dr. Deming relabeled chance variation as Common Cause variation, and assignable variation as Special Cause variation.

Based on experience with many types of process data, and supported by the laws of statistics and probability, Dr. Shewhart
devised control charts used to plot data over time and identify both Common Cause variation and Special Cause variation.

Source: https://www.moresteam.com/toolbox/statistical-process-control-spc.cfm

What is SPC?

Statistical Process Control, commonly referred to as SPC, is a method for monitoring, controlling and, ideally, improving a
process through statistical analysis. This can result in reduced scrap and rework costs, reduced process variation, and
reduced material consumption.

SPC philosophy states that all processes exhibit intrinsic variation. However, sometimes processes exhibit excessive
variation that produces undesirable or unpredictable results. SPC, in a manufacturing process optimization context, is used
to reduce variation to achieve the best target value.

Source: https://www.winspc.com/what-is-spc/what-is-spc/