Question

How could you use statistics to improve a process or reduce waste/scrap?

Answer 1

Process improvement can be achieved with statistics as follows:

• Observe/ Analyse any unnatural patterns in the given or obtained data for improvements
• Check for any sudden changes in trends: ups and downs and their frequency/ time period
• Divide your Process related data like Measurements, Readings, Results/ Output Vs Input, into pieces and run Statistical checks for Deviations, and analyse reasons to reduce them
• Degree of Variation, Standard deviations can be checked out, which phase or step of process is creating problem and how much can it be improved
• Linear regression can be applied to determine any anomalies and remove them
• Inspection frequencies can be increase to optimize the Operational process.

Similarly, waste reduction can be achieved, if you know how much waste is produced in which step, statistically analyse each step, to achieve minimum possible wastage, avoid any deviations with above similar steps.