Emphasizing proper methods for data collection, control chart construction and interpretation, and fault diagnosis for process improvement, this text blends statistical process control (SPC) and design of experiments (DOE) concepts and methods for quality design and improvement.

Importance is placed on both the philosophical/conceptual underpinnings and the techniques and methods of SPC and DOE. The concepts and methods of Taguchi for quality design are combined with more traditional experimental design methods to promote the importance of viewing quality from an engineering design perspective.