Control charts — Part 1: General guidelines

This document outlines the fundamental principles for constructing and applying control charts within quality control processes. It provides comprehensive guidance on identifying process variations, distinguishing between common causes and assignable causes of variation, and implementing statistical methods to monitor operational stability. The text details various chart types suitable for different data structures, including attributes and variables data, and explains the procedures for calculating control limits and interpreting patterns that indicate shifts in process performance. It addresses the necessary steps for initiating surveillance, establishing baselines, and responding to signals that suggest the process requires adjustment. The content emphasizes the systematic approach needed to maintain consistent output quality by detecting early signs of instability. It serves as a reference for practitioners aiming to implement statistical process control techniques effectively across diverse industrial settings, ensuring methodologies align with international best practices for quality management and continuous improvement initiatives without relying on specific organizational mandates or temporal contexts.