Define Analysis dialog box

Hint: Analyses are generally used for off-line data entry and analysis. The chart options for Characteristics in an Analysis can be different from those used as default options for the Characteristic, which allows you to chart the same data using different charts or different subgroup sizes, or to limit the data to particular criteria. When the Characteristic is added to an Analysis, the Process Characteristic's default properties are used to initially define the Analysis Characteristic properties (chart type, groups plotted, format, etc.). When the Characteristic is edited from Analysis Branch, then you may either edit both the Analysis Characteristic AND the Process Characteristic, or edit only the Analysis Characteristic. This latter case allows specific queries to be defined, or different chart used, for the purpose of analysis or data collection.

Similarly, once the Analysis Characteristic has been edited, and differs from the Process Characteristic, changes to the Process Characteristic will not affect the Analysis Characteristic. When an Analysis Characteristic has unique properties from its underlying Process Characteristic, the General tab in the Define Characteristic dialog box (from within the Analysis) will include this icon $image\modified.gif$ in the upper left-hand corner and the Edit Process Characteristic button in the lower right-hand corner.

Note that the underlying data for the Characteristic is always the same, regardless of whether it is viewed in the Process or Analysis branch, although not all the data may be analyzed subject to the conditions specified in the Plotted Data tab.

The Define Analysis dialog box is used to add or edit (including activate or de-activate) an Analysis . It is opened by selecting the Analysis branch, then the Add Analysis option from the right mouse menu or Analysis menu; or by selecting a specific Analysis in the Analysis branch, then the Edit Analysis option from the right mouse menu or Analysis menu.

When used to edit a Analysis, the User Name and Date of the last edit is shown at the bottom of the dialog box.

Examples of creating and viewing analyses are available in the Explorer View Tutorial.

The following information is available from the General tab:

Analysis Name: Enter a unique alphanumeric Analysis Name into the text box provided, up to 60 characters in length.

Note: If the entered Analysis Name already exists in the database, then an Error message is provided when the OK button has been selected, and the user is returned to the Define Analysis dialog box.

Processes / Characteristics : This list provides all the Process Characteristics included in the selected Analysis, identified by Process Name and Characteristic Name. A given Characteristic can be included in more than one Analysis.

· Up to 255 Characteristics can be included in an Analysis. A given Characteristic can be included in more than one Analysis.

· Use the Add button to open the Select Characteristic dialog box for adding existing Process Characteristic(s) or a new Formula Characteristic.

· Use the Remove button to delete the selected Process Characteristic or Formula Characteristic from this Analysis.

Note: Process Characteristics are only removed from the Analysis, not from the database.

· The order of the Characteristics in the list corresponds to the column order in the Spreadsheet and relevant chart types. This order may be changed by using the Up and Down buttons, or by dragging a selection with the mouse.

Chart Type: Select the Analysis Chart Types from the list. The From Characteristic option creates control charts (as defined for each Characteristic within the Analysis branch, as described in the Notes above).

Refresh Interval (minutes): Enter the delay time for querying the database for new data entered elsewhere (especially useful for linked data). Data entered into this Analysis is automatically displayed and written to the database, so refreshing is NOT needed to view these changes on a real time basis.

Folder: Select the folder for storing the Analysis. New folders may be added by selecting the Analysis branch, then the Add Folder option from the Analysis (or right mouse) menu.

Active Status: Select this option to make the Analysis status Active. There is no difference in functionality for an Active or Inactive Analysis, but the Show Records Where... option can be used to limit the branch items to Active or Inactive items.