« Back to Glossary Index

A major and essential part of Six Sigma. Useful in all the steps of Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control in DMAIC. Statistical process control (SPC) is the application of statistical methods to the monitoring and control of a process to ensure that it operates at its full potential to produce conforming product.

Under SPC a process behaves predictably to produce as much conforming product as possible with the least possible waste. While SPC has been applied most frequently to control manufacturing lines it applies equally well to any process with a measurable output.

Key tools in SPC are control charts, a focus on continuous improvement, and designed experiments.

« Back to Glossary Index