Case Study: Statistical Process Control (SPC)

7. Statistical Process Control (SPC):

Statistical Process Control (SPC) can monitor process through the use of control charts. By collecting the data from various samples and checking for any variations, if they exist the company then decides whether to act or not.
Big Problem in food industries is that firms take big data from samples and analyze, but they don’t always know what to do with the data or analysis. Should they react to the data or the process that went out of specifications? Often times, they end up chasing their own tails when it comes to reacting to the process. So SPC supplies some guidelines, when they should react and when they shouldn’t.
The goal of SPC is to reduce variation in the process, which in turns improves quality

It is primarily used to prevent cost. The company works toward preventive measures through SPC as preventing cost proactively is much cheaper than detecting it. As they have to divert the product because it is out of specification or of control.
2. The SPC provides evidence on the performance of the product. To check the performance of their product they do ask for customer opinion in the market but having a process capability report that says that the Cpk is above 1.33 is evidence that the process in meeting the specifications.
3. It looks at the difference between special cause and common cause.
4. SPC allows them to use common language. For Quality control team that has the know-how of SPC, it enables them to communicate with ease in their day to day work and consequently, enables them to make a better product.
5. It helps them measure changes, whether they’re changing raw material or equipment. E.g. if they’re purchasing new equipment, it helps them look at the before and after picture. Consequently, enabling them to look at return on investment opportunity.
7.2 Process

The goal is to establish the control of the process so that the process is close to those specifications and divert from even being near out of specification. They would never want to go out of specification, as it’ll indicate that they’re not delivering what they’ve promised to their customer.

7.3 Variations in the process:
The dilemma with the Food companies like Hilal is that they use a lot of raw material that they get naturally or is prone to quickly perish, it can be unpredictable, and as they increase sourcing raw material globally, there is bound to be a lot of variation in the process. There are always changes.
Common Cause
Common cause variation occurs when they contribute to natural variation. Example: The raw material they acquired, they get differences in the measurement of raw material every time. This may cause the fluctuation in the data but this fluctuation is no cause to react as it will prove uneconomical. They don’t want to react to fluctuations that’ll make matters worse by reacting. It could prove to be a problem for operators when they’re unable to provide accurate instructions. The ultimate goal is to minimize the fluctuation as they can’t be eliminated.
Special