Control chart

A control chart will help to monitor, control, and improve process performance over time by studying variation and its source. It helps to distinguish special from common causes of variation as a guide to local or management action. A process can be improved to perform consistently and predictably for higher quality, lower cost, and higher effective capacity. There are many types of control charts.

Once a process is selected to be charted, the sampling method and plan are determined. Data is then collected, statistics and control limits are calculated, and the chart is constructed.

See also: Run chart

Examples of control charts

The Use of Control Charts in Health-Care and Public-Health Surveillance (PDF)
Journal of Quality Technology

Plotting Basic Control Charts: Tutorial Notes for Healthcare Practitioners (PDF)
Quality and Safety in Health Care

More information

Basics of the Control Chart (PDF)
MDH Office of Performance Improvement / UMN School of Public Health

Control Chart
American Society for Quality

The Control Chart: An Epidemiological Tool for Public Health Monitoring
Public Health

Finding the Right Tool for your Purpose (PDF)
MDH Office of Performance Improvement

Sources

Public Health Memory Jogger
Public Health Foundation, GOAL/QPC

Basics of the Control Chart (PDF)
MDH Office of Performance Improvement / UMN School of Public Health