30/10/2017 Interpret the key results for Normal Capability Analysis - Minitab

Capability Analysis
 Minitab® 18 Support

Normal Capability Analysis

Search Minitab 18 Support

Before you start

Overview

Interpret the key results for Norm

Data considerations

Capability Analysis
Example

Perform the analysis

Learn more about Minitab 18 

Enter your data

Complete the following steps to interpret a normal capability analysis. Key output
Specify a transformation histogram, normal curves, and capability indices.

Specify the estimation method In This Topic

Step 1: Check your data for problems
Select the analysis options Step 2: Examine the observed performance of your process
Step 3: Evaluate the capability of the process
Store statistics

Interpret the results

Step 1: Check your data for problems
Key results

Your process should be stable and the original (or transformed) process data shou
All statistics and graphs distribution. The histogram and tted normal curves provide an informal way to q
potential problems.
Methods and formulas

Methods IMPORTANT
For a more thorough analysis of these requirements, use Normal Capability Six

Potential capability
Visually examine the distribution t
Overall capability Compare the solid overall curve to the bars of the histogram to assess whether yo
approximately normal. If the bars vary greatly from the curve, your data may not b
Johnson transformed data capability estimates may not be reliable for your process. If your data appear to b
Individual Distribution Identi cation to determine whether you need to transform
nonnormal distribution to perform capability analysis.
Con dence intervals and
bounds

Benchmark Zs for potential

capability

Benchmark Zs for overall

capability Good t Poor t

Expected within performance

NOTE
You can use the Transform option included in this analysis to transform nonno
Expected overall performance
nonnormal distribution to your data, use Nonnormal Capability Analysis.

Observed performance
Compare the within and overall curves
Graphs Compare the solid overall curve and the dashed within curve to see how closely th
substantial di erence between the curves may indicate that the process is not sta
signi cant amount of variation between the subgroups. Use a control chart to ver
is stable before you perform a capability analysis.

https://support.minitab.com/en-us/minitab/18/help-and-how-to/quality-and-process-improvement/capability-analysis/how-to/capability-analysis/nor… 1/4
30/10/2017 Interpret the key results for Normal Capability Analysis - Minitab

Closely aligned Poorly aligned

NOTE
If you are analyzing a process that naturally exhibits large variation between su
batch process, and the variation is not due to special causes, consider using Be
Capability Analysis.

Step 2: Examine the observed performance of your

Use the capability histogram to visually examine the sample observations in relati
requirements.

Examine the process spread

Visually examine the data in the histogram in relation to the lower and upper spec
Ideally, the spread of the data is narrower than the speci cation spread, and all th
speci cation limits. Data that are outside the speci cation limits represent noncon

In this histogram, the process spread is wider than the speci cation spread, which suggests po
Although most of the data are within the speci cation limits, there are nonconforming items b
speci cation limit (LSL) and above the upper speci cation limit (USL).

NOTE
To determine the actual number of nonconforming items in your process, use
LSL, PPM > USL, and PPM Total. For more information, go to All statistics and g

Assess the center of the process

Evaluate whether the process is centered between the speci cation limits or at the
have one. The center of the data occurs at the peak of the distribution curve and i
sample mean.

In this histogram, although the sample observations fall inside of the speci cation limits, the p
distribution curve is not centered on the target. Most of the data exceed the target value.

Step 3: Evaluate the capability of the process

Use the main capability indices to evaluate how well your process meets requirem
https://support.minitab.com/en-us/minitab/18/help-and-how-to/quality-and-process-improvement/capability-analysis/how-to/capability-analysis/nor… 2/4
30/10/2017 Interpret the key results for Normal Capability Analysis - Minitab

Assess potential capability

Use Cpk to evaluate the potential capability of your process based on both the pro
the process spread. Potential capability indicates the capability that could be achie
and drifts were eliminated.

Generally, higher Cpk values indicate a more capable process. Lower Cpk values in
process may need improvement.

Compare Cpk with a benchmark that represents the minimum value that is a
process. Many industries use a benchmark value of 1.33. If Cpk is lower than
consider ways to improve your process, such as reducing its variation or shif

Compare Cp and Cpk. If Cp and Cpk are approximately equal, then the proce
between the speci cation limits. If Cp and Cpk di er, then the process is not

Key Result: Cpk

For these process data, Cpk is 1.09. Because Cpk less than 1.33, the potential capability of the p
meet requirements. The process is too close to the lower speci cation limit. The process is not
does not equal Cp (2.76).

Assess overall capability

Use Ppk to evaluate the overall capability of your process based on both the proce
process spread. Overall capability indicates the actual performance of your proces
experiences over time.

Generally, higher Ppk values indicate a more capable process. Lower Ppk values in
process may need improvement.

Compare Ppk to a benchmark value that represents the minimum value that
your process. Many industries use a benchmark value of 1.33. If Ppk is lower
benchmark, consider ways to improve your process.
Compare Pp and Ppk. If Pp and Ppk are approximately equal, then the proce
between the speci cation limits. If Pp and Ppk di er, then the process is not
Compare Ppk and Cpk. When a process is in statistical control, Ppk and Cpk
equal. The di erence between Ppk and Cpk represents the improvement in
that you could expect if shifts and drifts in the process were eliminated.

Key Result: Ppk

For these process data, Ppk = 0.52. Because Ppk is less than 1.33, the overall capability of the p
meet requirements. The process is centered, so Ppk ≈ Pp (0.53). However, Ppk < Cpk (0.72), wh
the overall capability of the process could be improved if the shifts and drifts (the variation bet
subgroups) were reduced.

IMPORTANT
The Cpk and Ppk indices measure the capability of the process in relation only
limit that is closest to the process mean. Therefore, these indices represent on
process curve, and do not measure how the process performs on the other sid
curve. If your process produces nonconforming items that fall outside both the

https://support.minitab.com/en-us/minitab/18/help-and-how-to/quality-and-process-improvement/capability-analysis/how-to/capability-analysis/nor… 3/4