Overview for EWMA Chart

Use EWMA Chart to detect small shifts in the process mean, without influence by low and high values. The EWMA chart monitors exponentially weighted moving averages, which remove the influence of low and high values. The observations can be individual measurements or subgroup means. An advantage of EWMA charts is that they are not greatly influenced by low or high values.

For example, a manufacturer of centrifuge rotors wants to track the diameter of all rotors produced during a week. The diameters must be close to the target because even small shifts cause problems.

The points appear to vary randomly around the center line and are within the control limits. No trends or patterns are shown. The variability in the rotor diameter appears stable.

Where to find this control chart

To create an EWMA chart, choose Stat > Control Charts > Time-Weighted Charts > EWMA.

When to use an alternate control chart

If you do not want to detect small shifts in a process, use a variables chart for subgroups, such as Xbar-R Chart, or an variables chart for individuals, such as I-MR Chart.
If your data are counts of defectives or defects, use an attribute control chart, such as P Chart or U Chart.