7. Our advice

7.1 Take the time to master the subject

It is vital not to fall into the trap of taking the easy way out. Process capability analysis methods are all based on assumptions that must be clearly understood. In trying to simplify things, using indicators that are easy to calculate, the real underlying question (i.e. the rate of non-conformities) is often forgotten. However, focusing on obtaining a given value, often arbitrarily (especially if borrowed from the literature out of habit) for a capability indicator, is not without consequences and can prove counter-productive.

Studying the capability of a manufacturing process is not simply a matter of making calculations, often using software. It's about understanding your manufacturing process, so you can optimize...