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Description

Statistical Foundations for Quality: Describing Data, Measuring Variability and Drawing Conclusions

Two days to draw sound conclusions from your measurement records and production data

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

Data accumulates in spreadsheets and is used mainly to produce averages. A single reading triggers an action plan when it is in fact part of the normal variation of the process. Two production lines are compared without knowing whether the gap is significant. Charts presented in meetings steer the reading without anyone realising it.

These 14 hours provide the statistical foundations that are genuinely useful on the shop floor. Participants learn to describe a data set, to distinguish common-cause from special-cause variation, to measure the uncertainty linked to sampling and to compare two series. Calculations remain accessible and are carried out in a spreadsheet, with no specialised software required.

Learning objectives

  • Describe a data set using measures of central tendency and dispersion
  • Plot a distribution and identify outliers
  • Distinguish common-cause from special-cause variation in a process
  • Estimate the uncertainty linked to sample size
  • Compare two sets of measurements and interpret the result obtained
  • Present quantified results without misleading the reader

What makes this programme different

Calculations carried out in a spreadsheet using real industrial measurement records
Work on misleading charts to be corrected and justified
A quantified conclusion drafted and then reviewed critically by the group

Programme

1Describing a Data Set

Look before you calculate

  • Types of data and data collection conditions
  • Measures of central tendency and dispersion
  • Histogram, box plot and run chart
  • Identifying and handling outliers

2Process Variability

Understanding dispersion

  • Common-cause and special-cause variation
  • Shape of a distribution and visual check of normality
  • Expected dispersion and natural limits
  • Reading a process capability index

3Sampling and Uncertainty

Drawing conclusions without measuring everything

  • Building a representative sample
  • Effect of sample size on precision
  • Confidence interval and margin of error
  • Interpretation pitfalls with small samples

4Comparing and Relating Data

Answering a quantified question

  • Comparing two sets of measurements
  • Principle of a statistical test and reading its result
  • Relationship between two variables and scatter plots
  • Presenting results graphically and honestly

Who is it for

Quality technicians and managers · inspectors · process engineering technicians · continuous improvement facilitators.

Prerequisites

Practical experience with spreadsheets and basic calculations is required.

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.