Data type Prameters plotted Typical Use Advantages

Variables

A good window into

Subgroup average and range or Machine dominant
X bar - R the statistical variation
standard deviation process.
of a process.

A good window into

Subgroup average and range or Machine dominant
X bar - S the statistical variation
standard deviation process.
of a process.

Where only one Quicker, easier to plot

X&R Individual & subgroup range observation per lot is & explain. Compares
available. directly to tolerance.

Cumulative sum of deviation of High cost product or Faster response to an

CumSum subgroup averages from a test where 0.5 s or 2 s abrupt shiftin mean
reference value shift is common. than X bar - R chart.

Attributes

p Fraction non-conforming
Only attribute data
Data is usually easier
np Number non-conforming available or to monitor
to obtain than variable
quality of a complex
data. Calculations are
unit with more than
u Non-conformities per unit easier than X bar
one characteristic of
charts.
interest.
c Number of non-conformities
Disadvantages Comments

Select subgroup size, frequency

Complex calculations, slow
and number of subgroups used
response, indirect relationship
to set & reset control limits
between control limits & tolerance
carefully.

Select subgroup size, frequency

Complex calculations, slow
and number of subgroups used
response, indirect relationship
to set & reset control limits
between control limits & tolerance
carefully.

Not as sensitive as X bar - R chart.

Complex , hard to explain. PRE-Control is faster & simpler.

As quality gets better,

subgroups get bigger.
Attribute data is not as useful for
Eventually, all attribute charts
diagnostic work as variable data.
should make themselves
obsolete.