Technometrics, November 1994

Pyzdek's Guide to SPC: Volume One, Fundamentals, by Thomas PYZDEK. Milwaukee: ASQC Quality Press, 1992, vii + 148 pp., $29.95.

This is the first volume of a series on statistical process control (SPC) by Pyzdek. Volume One, Fundamentals is intended for all levels of people in an organization. It provides a basic introduction to SPC. Volume Two. Applications and Special Techniques discusses special topics of SPC with emphasis on applications. Volume One is well presented, clearly written, and enjoyable to read. I believe that the goal of presenting the fundamentals of SPC to all levels of employees is accomplished. Job well done!

The book contains 10 chapters with a clear and concise statement of objectives at the beginning of each chapter. The first four chapters discuss planning, organizing, and implementing SPC. Topics on group dynamics, data collection, and problem-solving techniques are also included. Although these subjects are not technically oriented, they arc essential for process control and continuous improvement. Chapters 5-10 contain SPC concepts and fundamentals: data analysis; run charts; average, range, and standard-deviation charts; control charts for individuals; and control charts for attributes. These topics are usually covered in a standard textbook on SPC.

I would like to summarize a few comments and suggestions:

1. In Chapters 7-10 where various control charts are discussed, perhaps more numerical examples would be preferable.

2. Flowcharts are useful for a better understanding of the X-bar chart, the s chart, the R chart, and so forth. The worksheets for the p chart, the c chart, and the u chart, however, tend to be tedious, and I do not find them to be very useful in practice. examples via computer software may strengthen the applications.

3. The pseudo control chart in Chapter 7 is an interesting addition that is not usually included in a basic SPC textbook.

4. Some traditional terminologies are used throughout the text for which new terms might be preferable. For example, "process control" means not just "control and maintain stability" but also ..process improvement," or "continuous quality improvement." "Non-conforming units" is preferable to "Defective units." "Non-conformity" is preferable to "Defect."

5. The moving average chart, the moving range chart, and the exponentially weighted moving average chart might be suitable to be included in this volume.

This is an excellent book for the fundamentals of SPC. I recommend it to everyone who is interested in quality control and improvement and to all practitioners. I am also looking forward to Volume 2.

Min-Chiang WANG

Washington State University