In this assignment, you will build on the work done in Discussion $4\mathrm{.}1$: Statistical Process Control Graphing Techniques. Consider the recommendations made during the group discussion about the type of SPC graph most appropriate for your group's scenario and data and review the "solution" supplied with the data. Your group will produce a graph from the data released for your scenario. You will then have the opportunity to analyze the graph and draw conclusions about the work processes in question: are they in control or out of control?

You will complete this activity in groups. Use the data provided to create the appropriate chart $($use the "solution" provided by the instructor$)$ and determine whether the processes represented by the data are the result of common cause $(=$ in control$)$ variation or special cause $(=$ out of control$)$ variation. The data will be available beginning on Thursday $($Day Four$)$ at $8$:$00$ AM ET within the Week $4$ Assignments folder. You will copy the data from the data file and paste into the chart file corresponding to your scenario. Please do NOT alter the fields otherwise. A chart will be created automatically based on your data $($see second tab$).$

Each group is expected to submit a document with a copy of the graph you generate $($only ONE graph, labeled, clean, easy to read$)$ and answers to the following questions for your scenario:

Is the process in question subject to common cause or special cause variation? Explain and cite your source$($s$).$

If the process is out of control, where does the special cause variation occur?

Based on your answer to Question $1,$ what course of action would you recommend for correcting the problem $($i$.$e$.$ how could the process be brought back under control$)?$ Include evidence for your recommendations.

Given the limited information presented in the scenario, would you have changed anything about the data collection process?

If yes above, what would you have changed and why? If no$,$ why not?

Chapter $5$ of the Lighter text presents several criteria by which to evaluate SPC charts $($see TABLE $5\mathrm{.}1$: $$Rule Sets for Determining Special Cause Data Patterns$$ pages $180-181).$ To ensure consistency across groups, limit your evaluation criteria to the rules below in the $$Nelson$$ Rule Set:

One point is outside the Upper Control Limit or Lower Control Limit $($i$.$e$.,$ one point is more than three standard deviations from the mean$).$

Nine or more points in a row are on the same side of the mean.

Six or more points in a row are continually increasing or decreasing.

Fourteen or more points in a row alternate in direction, increasing and then decreasing.