Statistical process control implementations within the aviation industry

Abstract

In 1931, Walter Shewhart introduced his work in statistical process control (SPC) through his book, Economic Control of Quality of Manufactured Product. A common confusion in the use of SPC is that it does not fit every business or industry. Since Shewhart's work was published, various companies and industries have implemented such practices as a method to control their manufacturing quality of products, service quality, and design quality. In 2017, a supply chain quality organization from a well-known business jet manufacturer discovered that vendors of its supply base were posting ostensibly statistical process control charts on metric walls in their facilities. The charts were not error-free. Out-of-date data placed on the charts, the preponderance appeared to be weeks or months old, and incorrect use of control and specification limits indicated there might be a gap. The purpose of this research was to discover why businesses in the aviation industry are not taking advantage of SPC practices and methodologies. To identify the potential barriers inhibiting the deployment or growth of SPC implementations in the aviation industry, data was gathered from a survey of original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and members of the aviation supply base. The major challenges or barriers to implementing SPC in the aviation supply base were recognized as leadership commitment, cultural mindset and behaviors, understanding the benefits of SPC, and a lack of knowledge.