Using tests for special causes in control charts

Learn more about Minitab 17

Use tests for special causes to determine which observations you may need to investigate and to
identify specific patterns in your data.

In This Topic

Which tests for special causes are included in Minitab?

Which tests should I use to detect specific patterns of special-cause variation?
Which tests are available with my control chart?
How do I specify tests and parameters for a control chart?
How do I change the default tests and test parameters?

Which tests for special causes are included in Minitab?

The dashed horizontal lines in the following illustrations represent distances of 1 and 2 from the
center line.

Test 1: One point more than 3 from center line

Test 1 evaluates the pattern of variation for stability. Test 1 provides the strongest evidence of lack of control. If small
shifts in the process are of interest, Tests 2, 5, and 6 can be used to supplement Test 1 to create a control chart with
greater sensitivity.

Test 2: Nine points in a row on the same side of the center line
Test 2 evaluates the pattern of variation for stability. If small shifts in the process are of concern, Test 2 can be used to
supplement Test 1 to create a control chart with greater sensitivity.

Test 3: Six points in a row, all increasing or all decreasing

Test 3 detects a trend or continuous movement up or down. This test looks for long series of consecutive points
without a change in direction.
Test 4: Fourteen points in a row, alternating up and down
Test 4 detects the presence of a systematic variable. The pattern of variation should be random, but when a point fails
Test 4 it means that the pattern of variation is predictable.

Test 5: Two out of three points more than 2 from the center line (same side)
Test 5 evaluates the pattern of variation for small shifts in the process.

Test 6: Four out of five points more than 1 from center line (same side)
Test 6 evaluates the pattern of variation for small shifts in the process.

Test 7: Fifteen points in a row within 1 of center line (either side)

Test 7 identifies a pattern of variation that is sometimes mistaken as a display of good control. This type of variation is
called stratification and is characterized by points that follow the center line too closely.

Test 8: Eight points in a row more than 1 from center line (either side)
Test 8 detects a mixture pattern. A mixture pattern occurs when the points tend to avoid the center line and instead
fall near the control limits.
 Which tests should I use to detect specific patterns of special-
cause variation?
Apply certain tests based on your knowledge of the process. If it is likely that your data might contain
particular patterns, you can look for them by choosing the appropriate test. Adding more tests makes
the chart more sensitive, but may also increase the chance of getting a false signal. When you use
several tests together, the chance of obtaining a signal for lack-of-control increases.

Variables charts
If you are not sure which tests apply in your specific situation, you might try using Tests 1, 2, and 7
when you first establish the control limits based on your data. After the control limits are established,
you should use the known values of those limits and Test 7 is no longer needed.

Test 1 (a point outside the control limits) detects a single out-of-control point.
Test 2 (9 points in a row on one side of the center line) detects a possible shift in the process.
Test 7 (too many points in a row within 1 standard deviation of the center line) detects control limits
that are too wide. Wide control limits are often caused by stratified data, which occur when you have a
systematic source of variation within each subgroup.

Attributes charts
If you are not sure which tests apply in your specific situation, you might try using Tests 1 and 2 when
you first establish the control limits based on your data. After the control limits are established, you
should use the known values of those limits.

Test 1 (a point outside the control limits) detects a single out-of-control point.

Test 2 (9 points in a row on one side of the center line) detects a possible shift in the process.

Rare event charts

G charts
Experts recommend that you use both Test 1 and Test 2 when you create a G chart because the
G chart may be slow to detect small to moderate decreases in the average number of days or
number of opportunities between events.

To detect high rates of an event on a G chart, Minitab also includes the Benneyan test. The
minimum data value for a G chart is 0. In most cases, the lower control limit for a G chart is also
0. Thus, in most cases, no points on a G chart can be below the lower control limit. The
Benneyan test fails if there are too many consecutive points that equal 0.

T charts
Experts recommend that you use both Test 1 and Test 2 when you create a T chart because the
T chart may be slow to detect small to moderate decreases in the average time between events.
Which tests are available with my control chart?
Tests 18 are available for most variables control charts. Note that only tests 14 are available for
R, S, and moving range charts.

Tests 14 are available for the attribute control charts.

On time-weighted control charts, Minitab only performs a test for points that go beyond the
control limits. The other seven tests assume that the points are independent. Because the plotted
points on time-weighted charts combine information from previous subgroups, the points are not
independent.

How do I specify tests and parameters for a control chart?

When you create most control charts, you can select the tests to perform and change the
parameters for each test. For example, suppose that you create an Xbar chart and you want to
perform tests 1, 2, and 7. In addition, you want to draw control limits at 2.5 instead of 3 so that
it is easier for points to fail test 1.

1. Choose Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts for Subgroups > Xbar.
2. Complete the dialog box as usual.
3. Click Xbar Options, then click the Tests tab.
4. Select the following:

1 point more than K standard deviations from center line

K points in a row on same side of center line
K points in a row within 1 standard deviation of center line (either side)
5. Next to 1 point more than K standard deviations from center line, enter 2.5.

The control limits will be drawn at 2.5 instead of 3. Points will fail test 1 if they are more
than 2.5 sigma from the center line.

6. Click OK in each dialog box.

How do I change the default tests and test parameters?

You can change the default tests and test parameters for future sessions of Minitab. For example,
suppose you want to perform all test for special causes whenever you create a control chart. In
addition, you want to draw the control limits for all control charts at 2.5 instead of 3.

1. Choose Tools > Options > Control Charts and Quality Tools > Tests.
2. From the drop-down list, select Perform all tests for special causes.

Minitab will now perform all applicable tests when you create a control chart.
 3. Next to 1 point more than K standard deviations from center line, enter 2.5.

The control limits for control charts will be drawn at 2.5 by default. Points will fail test 1 if
they are more than 2.5 from the center line.
NOTE
This procedure will not undo any changes that you have made in the Tests tab for specific graphs
in existing projects. For example, if you previously modified the parameters for an Xbar chart in
the current project, Minitab will remember your settings for that chart. The new defaults will not
be applied to Xbar charts in the current project.
1. 1 Point > 3.0 from the center line
Test 1 evaluates the pattern of variation for stability. Test 1 provides the strongest
evidence of lack of control. If small shifts in the process are of interest, Tests 2, 5, and 6
can be used to supplement Test 1 to create a control chart with greater sensitivity

2. 9 Points in a row on the same side of the center line.

Test 2 evaluates the pattern of variation for stability. If small shifts in the process are
of concern, Test 2 can be used to supplement Test 1 to create a control chart with
greater sensitivity.

3. 6 Points in a row, all increasing or all decreasing.

Test 3 detects a trend or continuous movement up or down. This test looks for long
series of consecutive points without a change in direction

4. 14 Points in a row, alternating up and down.

Test 4 detects the presence of a systematic variable. The pattern of variation should be
random, but when a point fails Test 4 it means that the pattern of variation is
predictable.

5. 2 points of 3 points > 2.0 from center line (same side)

Test 5 evaluates the pattern of variation for small shifts in the process.

6. 2 points of 3 points > 1.0 from center line (same side)

Test 6 evaluates the pattern of variation for small shifts in the process.

7. 15 Points in a row within 1.0 of center line (either side)

Test 7 identifies a pattern of variation that is sometimes mistaken as a display of
good control. This type of variation is called stratification and is characterized by
points that follow the center line too closely.

8. 8 Points in a row > 1.0 from center line (either side)

Test 8 detects a mixture pattern. A mixture pattern occurs when the points tend to
avoid the center line and instead fall near the control limits.