Practical use of SPC: Improving processes and saving resources
Statistical Process Control (SPC) is a set of methods and tools for measuring, analysing and managing process variability. SPC enables companies to identify and eliminate the causes of errors and variability, thereby achieving:
- Improving the quality of products and services
- Reduction of costs
- Increase productivity
- Improved adherence to deadlines
- Increase customer satisfaction
Practical examples of SPC use
Production
SPC is used to monitor and control manufacturing processes such as stamping, welding, assembly and quality control. SPC enables early identification and elimination of causes of errors, thereby reducing rejects and increasing production efficiency.
Services
SPC is used to monitor and control processes in service industries such as banking, telecommunications, transport and healthcare. SPC enables early identification and elimination of causes of customer dissatisfaction, thereby improving service quality and increasing customer satisfaction.
Administration
SPC is used to monitor and manage administrative processes such as order processing, invoicing and record keeping. SPC allows the causes of errors and unnecessary activities to be identified and eliminated in a timely manner, thereby reducing administrative time and costs.
Examples where SPC has saved money, time and human resources
In the automotive industry
The implementation of SPC in one of the automotive companies led to a 50% reduction in scrap rates, resulting in savings of €10 million per year.
In the telecommunications sector
The use of SPC in a telecommunications company helped reduce the time to resolve customer complaints by 30%, saving on human resource costs.
SPC is a versatile tool that can be applied in different types of companies and organizations. Implementing SPC requires an investment in training and software, but brings significant benefits in the form of improved quality, reduced costs and increased competitiveness.