Practical Tools for Continuous Improvement, Vol. 1: Statistical Tools

Continuous improvement will increase profits through improved productivity, increased efficiency, and reduced costs. To be effective, continuous improvement requires a toolbox of planning, problem solving, and statistical tools. This easy-to-use book provides such a toolbox. It contains the tools that make continuous improvement a reality. The tools are explained in clear, concise language with step-by-step instructions for use; they have a proven track record for achieving successful continuous improvement.

Volume 1 Statistical tools

Part 1: Practical tools for data collection
This part covers the tools for data collection, including how to collect data, how much to collect, and how frequently to collect it. The tools shown in this part are operational definitions, sampling, and check sheets.

Part 2: Practical tools for data analysis
This part takes the data from Part 1, and analyzes and interprets it so the areas to improve become apparent. It shows the origin of the problem, and sheds light on the issues. The tools in this part are run charts, control charts, histograms, capability analysis, scatter diagrams, and Pareto diagrams.

Michael J. Cleary, Ph.D., founder and president of PQ Systems, Inc. is a noted authority in the field of continuous improvement and a professor of management science (emeritus) at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, USA. Dr. Cleary is a charter member and regional director of the Education Division of the American Society for Quality and played a principal role in developing the Transformation of American Industry® national training project. He served on the planning committee for the U.S.-Japanese Business Conference in Tokyo, and has presented papers on statistical process control and the application of continuous improvement principles to a variety of audiences in Korea, China, France, Great Britain, Australia, Singapore, and Japan. A 24-year professorship in management science has enabled Dr. Cleary to conduct extensive research and gather valuable experience in expanding quality management methods. He has been a leader in bringing quality management into the curriculum of the College of Business, and has published many articles and papers on issues related to quality management, continuous improvement, statistical applications, and decision sciences in a variety of academic and professional journals. He is a frequent speaker on issues related to the management philosophy and statistical methods of Dr. W. Edwards Deming.

Jacqueline D. Graham, Ph.D., is the managing director of PQ Systems Pty. Ltd., Australia and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is a qualified chemical engineer and holds a doctorate in statistics and quality management from the University of Salford, England. For several years Dr. Graham worked as an aid to Dr. Deming, the father of statistical process control and continuous improvement. In this role she assisted with two and four day conferences as well as consulting to major companies in the USA, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Dr. Graham worked for General Motors in the United Kingdom and Europe where she was responsible for supplier quality assurance. She is a leader in the field of statistical process control and its application to businesses of all kinds. In recent years she has spent much of her time applying the principles of statistical process control to the service industry. A successful agent for change and a continuous improvement facilitator, Dr. Graham possess a combination of academic and practical industry experience. Dr. Graham is a consultant, facilitator, and teacher who regularly works in a variety of countries, including the USA, Europe, Asia, and New Zealand as well as throughout Australia.