Shewhart charts have been around for 100 years. Why aren't they used everywhere? Based on my analysis of 1,000s and of improvement posters over the last eight years, it's because Excel line and bar charts are too available. They still represent 75-85% of improvement poster charts.
But control charts are so useful, everywhere. Ryan on my staff uses them to track email delivery rates and PPC (Pay Per Click) performance to save money and increase conversions and open rates. Nurses use them to track patient falls and medication errors. They're not just for manufacturing (a common misconception/excuse).
As you point out, Shewhart called them "Control" Charts. And no one likes to be controlled. Dr. Wheeler calls them process behaviour charts.
I know it's almost impossible to change jargon, but I got to thinking: Everyone wants to improve their performance--golf scores, walking/running steps, etc. What if we called them "performance" charts?
And since they went to college and took statistics, why not "Smart Performance Charts" or SPC?
When I learned SPC 30 years ago, we did charts by hand. Frankly, I knew it would be next to impossible to get people in the phone company to use them. Now it can be done easily and accurately with affordable SPC software. Automation to the rescue.
We have to stop admiring the problem, buy some software and start improving performance across every industry. Let's create hassle-free healthcare, a hassle-free world.
Shewhart charts have been around for 100 years. Why aren't they used everywhere? Based on my analysis of 1,000s and of improvement posters over the last eight years, it's because Excel line and bar charts are too available. They still represent 75-85% of improvement poster charts.
But control charts are so useful, everywhere. Ryan on my staff uses them to track email delivery rates and PPC (Pay Per Click) performance to save money and increase conversions and open rates. Nurses use them to track patient falls and medication errors. They're not just for manufacturing (a common misconception/excuse).
As you point out, Shewhart called them "Control" Charts. And no one likes to be controlled. Dr. Wheeler calls them process behaviour charts.
I know it's almost impossible to change jargon, but I got to thinking: Everyone wants to improve their performance--golf scores, walking/running steps, etc. What if we called them "performance" charts?
And since they went to college and took statistics, why not "Smart Performance Charts" or SPC?
When I learned SPC 30 years ago, we did charts by hand. Frankly, I knew it would be next to impossible to get people in the phone company to use them. Now it can be done easily and accurately with affordable SPC software. Automation to the rescue.
We have to stop admiring the problem, buy some software and start improving performance across every industry. Let's create hassle-free healthcare, a hassle-free world.