Process Control at Polaroid $($A$)$

"Quality was not supposed to go down when we introduced Project Greenlight," noted Bud Rolfs, the manager heading Polaroid's first attempt at operator$-$based statistical process control $($SPC$).$ Although the project's plan was based on sound statistical theories, the data told a different story and people throughout the organization were increasingly concerned. Project Greenlight had recently been implemented at the R$2$ plant which manufactured instant film, and was intended to cut costs while maintaining and even improving product quality. Selling the idea of operator$-$based control had been difficult, requiring education of both upper management and hourly staff. Now it appeared that all the work might have been for naught.