All statistics and graphs for CUSUM Chart

Find definitions and interpretation guidance for every statistic and graph that is provided with the CUSUM chart.

Plotted points on a tabular CUSUM

The plotted points on an tabular CUSUM chart are the cumulative sums (CUSUMs) of the deviations of each sample value from the target value.

Interpretation

On a tabular CUSUM chart, look for the following:
  • Upward or downward trends in the upper and lower CUSUMs. The plotted points should fluctuate randomly around zero. If an upward or downward trend develops, the process mean has shifted and the process may be affected by special causes.
  • Plotted points that are located beyond the control limits, which indicates that the process is out of control.

Center line for tabular CUSUM

The center line on a tabular CUSUM chart is located at zero.

Control limits for tabular CUSUM

Control limits are the horizontal lines that are above and below the center line. The control limits indicate whether a process is out of control, and they are based on the observed variation within subgroups and on the expected variation in the plotted points. By default, Minitab displays control limits at 4 standard deviations above and below the center line on a tabular CUSUM chart.
CAUTION

Do not confuse control limits with specification limits. Specification limits represent customer requirements and indicate the amount of variation that you want to see in the process. Control limits represent the actual amount of variation that is in the sample data. A process can be in control, yet not be capable of meeting specifications.

Plotted points for V-mask CUSUM

The plotted points on a V-mask CUSUM chart are the cumulative sum of deviations of the sample values from the target.

Interpretation

On a V-mask CUSUM chart, look for the following:
  • Upward or downward trends in the CUSUMs. If an upward or downward trend develops, the process mean has shifted and the process may be affected by special causes.
  • Plotted points that are located beyond the V-mask, which indicates that the process is out of control.

V-mask for V-mask CUSUM

Use the V-mask to assess the process on a V-mask CUSUM chart. The V-mask standardizes the deviations from the target value, and plots the deviations from this value. Center the V-mask on the observation of interest, often the most recent subgroup.

Interpretation

If the plotted points fall within the arms of the V, then you can assume that the process is in statistical control.

Standard deviation

The standard deviation measures the overall variability in the data. Minitab does not display the standard deviation on the chart, but uses it to calculate the center line and the control limits. To store the standard deviation in the worksheet, select it on the Storage tab of the Options dialog box.

Stages

Use stages to create a historical control chart that shows how a process changes over specific periods of time. By default, Minitab recalculates the center line and control limits for each stage. For more information, go to Add stages to show how a process changed.

Interpretation

This historical control chart shows three stages of a process, which represent before, during, and after the implementation of a new procedure.