Title:
"The Role of Process in the Successful Application of Statistical Methods as Improvement Tools”
Presenter:
Matthew Ball
Robert Bosch Corp.
PO Box 2867
Anderson, SC 29621
Abstract:
With the availability of statistical software and the wide-spread use of statistically based improvement strategies, there has been much concern in the statistical profession as to their role in the future of business and particularly manufacturing. Yet Six Sigma Methodologies or Shainin Strategies have been extremely successful in improving processes and business systems. The Taguchi methods were also very successful as tools for continuous improvement. Statisticians are often critical of these methods and the practitioners who use them in spite of the success obtained. Often the applicability of methods, shortcuts used and applications made do not closely represent the theoretical framework in which classical statistics were derived. Why then has there been so much success using non-classical methods and what can be learned from these methods that will help the statistical profession contribute to business success? This paper attempts to answer these questions from a practical non-theoretical viewpoint.