Overview for S Chart

Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

Use S Chart to monitor the variation (standard deviation) of your process

when you have continuous data and subgroups sizes of 9 or more. Use this
control chart to monitor process stability over time so that you can identify
and correct instabilities in a process.

For example, a paint manufacturer wants to determine whether the filling

process for cans of paints is stable. Operators collect subgroups of 10 cans
every hour for 30 hours and use an S chart to monitor the variation of the

filled paint cans.

The points vary randomly around the center line and are within the control limits. No
trends or patterns are present. The variation of the weights of cans are stable across the
30 subgroups.

Where to find this control chart

To create an S chart, choose Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts
for Subgroups > S.

When to use an alternate control chart

 For subgroups that have 2−8 observations, use R Chart.
 If you do not have subgroups, use Moving Range Chart.
 If your data are counts of defectives or defects, use an attribute control
chart, such as P Chart or U Chart.

Data considerations for S Chart

Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

To ensure that your results are valid, consider the following guidelines when
you collect data, perform the analysis, and interpret your results.

The data should be continuous

If your data are counts of defectives or defects, use an attribute control

chart, such as P Chart or U Chart.

The data should be in time order

Because control charts detect changes over time, the order of the data
is important. You should enter the data in the order it was collected,
with the oldest data at the top of the worksheet.

The data should be collected at appropriate time intervals

Collect data at equally spaced time intervals, such as every hour, every
shift, or every day. Select a time interval that is short enough that you
can identify changes to the process soon after the changes occur.

The data should be in rational subgroups

A rational subgroup is a small sample of items that are similar, that are
produced in a short period of time under the same conditions (such as
operator, equipment, or supplier), and that are representative of the
output from a process. If the subgroups are not rational subgroups, the
estimated control limits might be too wide.

The subgroup size should be 9 or more observations

For subgroups that have 2−8 observations, use R Chart.

If you do not have subgroups, use Moving Range Chart.

The data should include at least 60 total observations

If you have fewer than the recommended number of observations, then

you can still use the control chart, but the results are preliminary
because the control limits may not be precise. If you use the chart
regularly, re-estimate the standard deviation and the control limits
after you collect the recommended number of observations.

The data do not need to be normally distributed

Although most control charts for variables data are formally based on
the assumption of normality, you can still obtain good results with
 nonnormal data if you collect data in subgroups. The required subgroup
size depends on how nonnormal the data are.

The observations within each subgroup should not be

correlated with each other

If consecutive data points within each subgroup are correlated, the

control limits will be too narrow, and the control chart might incorrectly
show some in-control points as out of control.

Example of S Chart
Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

A quality engineer at a canning company assesses whether the can-filling

process is in control. Each hour, the engineer collects a subgroup of 10 cans.
To minimize the within-subgroup (can-to-can) variation, the engineer collects
the cans for a given subgroup in a short period of time.

The quality engineer creates a S chart to monitor the variation in the weight
of the cans.

1. Open the sample data, [Link].

2. Choose Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts for
Subgroups > S.
3. From the drop-down list, select All observations for a chart are in
one column, enter Weight.
4. In Subgroup sizes, enter Subgroup ID.
5. Click S Options.
6. On the Tests tab, select 1 point > K standard deviations from
center line (Test 1) and K points in a row on same side of center
line (Test 2).

If you are not sure which tests apply in your specific situation, use
Tests 1 and 2.

7. Click OK in each dialog box.

Interpret the results

None of the points are outside the control limits, and the points display a
random pattern. Thus, the process variation is in control, and the engineer
can examine the process center on the Xbar chart.
Enter your data for S Chart
Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts for Subgroups > S

Select the option that best describes your data.

In This Topic

 All measurements are in one column

 Measurements for each subgroup are in a different row

All measurements are in one column

Complete the following steps if the measurement data for a S chart are in
one column.

1. From the drop-down list, select All observations for a chart are in
one column.

2. Enter one or more columns of measurement data. If you enter more

than one column, Minitab creates a separate S chart for each column.

3. In Subgroup sizes, do one of the following:

 If all subgroups are the same size, you can enter the subgroup
size (for example, 10).

 Enter a column of values that identifies which subgroup each

measurement is from.
In this worksheet, Length contains the length of parts, and Subgroup contains
the subgroup indicators.

C1 C2

Lengt Subgro
h up

0.65 1

0.69 1

0.67 1

0.67 1

0.68 1

0.66 1

0.64 1

0.65 1

0.68 1

0.62 2

0.59 2

0.59 2
 C1 C2

Lengt Subgro
h up

0.60 2

0.58 2

0.60 2

0.61 2

0.60 2

0.60 2

Measurements for each subgroup are in a

different row
Complete the following steps if each row in the worksheet contains the
measurement data for one subgroup.

1. From the drop-down list, select Observations for a subgroup are in

one row of columns.

2. Enter the columns that contain the measurement data.

In this worksheet, the data for subgroup 1 are in the first row across columns
1−9. The data for subgroup 2 are in the second row across columns 1−9.
 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9

Obs Obs Obs Obs Obs Obs Obs Obs Obs

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

0.65 0.69 0.67 0.67 0.68 0.66 0.64 0.65 0.68

0.62 0.59 0.59 0.60 0.58 0.60 0.61 0.60 0.60

Time scale for S Chart

Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts for

Subgroups > S > Scale > Time

Specify a time scale for the x-axis.

Index

Label the x-axis with the number of the subgroup.

Stamp
 Label the x-axis with values from a column. In Stamp columns (1-3,
innermost first), enter up to three columns that contain date/time,

numeric, or text values for the scale.

Axes and ticks for S Chart

Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts for

Subgroups > S > Scale > Axes and Ticks

Specify which scale elements to display and where to display them. The
following example illustrates the components of the y-axis for a typical
control chart.

 A: Y-scale axis lines

 B: Y-scale major tick
 C: Y-scale major tick label
 D: Y-scale minor tick
Gridlines for S Chart
Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts for

Subgroups > S > Scale > Gridlines

Display gridlines at major and minor tick positions.

 A: Horizontal gridline at Y major tick

 B: Horizontal gridline at Y minor tick
 C: Vertical gridline at X major tick

Reference lines for S Chart

Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts for

Subgroups > S > Scale > Reference lines

Display reference lines at one or more values on the x-axis or the y-axis.
Separate multiple values with spaces.

Show reference lines at Y values

Enter the y-scale values to display reference lines at.

Show reference lines at time scale positions

Enter the x-axis values to display reference lines at.
 The following example shows a vertical reference line at 30 on the x-axis
and a horizontal reference line at 0.65 on the y-axis.

Reference lines for S Chart

Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts for

Subgroups > S > Scale > Reference lines

Display reference lines at one or more values on the x-axis or the y-axis.
Separate multiple values with spaces.

Show reference lines at Y values

Enter the y-scale values to display reference lines at.

Show reference lines at time scale positions

Enter the x-axis values to display reference lines at.

The following example shows a vertical reference line at 30 on the x-axis

and a horizontal reference line at 0.65 on the y-axis.
Labels for S Chart
Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts for Subgroups > S > Labels

Specify a title, subtitles, and footnotes.

Multiple graphs for S Chart

Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts for

Subgroups > S > Multiple Graphs
If you enter more than one column, Minitab creates a separate control chart
for each column. Select Same Y to use the same y-scale for each control
chart.

In this example, the measurements for Machine 2 are larger than those of
Machine 1. By default, the ranges on the y-scales of the charts are different.
When you select Same Y, Minitab uses the same range for the y-scale on
both charts.

Default

Same Y
Data options for S Chart
Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts for Subgroups > S > Data
Options

In This Topic

 Include or Exclude
 Specify Which Rows to Include/Exclude
 Leave gaps for excluded points

Include or Exclude
Specify whether to include or exclude rows from the control chart.

Specify Which Rows to Include/Exclude

All rows/No rows

Include or exclude all rows.

Rows that match

Include or exclude rows that match specified conditions.
Click Condition to enter the conditional expression.

Brushed rows
Include or exclude all brushed rows.

Row numbers
List the rows to include or exclude. Use a colon (:) to denote an
inclusive range. For example, enter 1 4 6:10 to signify the rows 1, 4, 6,
7, 8, 9, and 10.
 Leave gaps for excluded points
Leave a space in the graph for the points that you exclude. Minitab
treats these values as missing values in the calculations, which
affects the estimates of the control limits.

Enter historical parameters for S

Chart
Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts for Subgroups > S > S
Options > Parameters

Enter the historical value for the standard deviation that Minitab uses to
calculate the center line and control limits. If you do not enter a value,
Minitab estimates the standard deviation from the data.

You can enter a single standard deviation for the entire chart, or you can
enter a standard deviation for each stage.

Specify how to estimate the

parameters for S Chart
Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts for Subgroups > S > S
Options > Estimate

In This Topic

 Specify subgroups to estimate parameters

 Method for estimating standard deviation
 Use unbiasing constant

Specify subgroups to estimate parameters

If some subgroups have erratic data because of special causes that you have
already corrected, you can omit these subgroups from the calculations to
avoid incorrect parameter estimates.
 1. From the drop-down list, specify whether you want to list the
subgroups to omit or the subgroups to include.

 To list the subgroups to omit, select Omit the following

subgroups when estimating parameters (eg, 3 12:15).

 To list the subgroups to include, select Use the following

subgroups when estimating parameters (eg, 3 12:15).

2. List the subgroups. Use a colon to indicate a range of subgroups. Leave

a space between each subgroup or range of subgroups.

For example, to specify subgroups 4, 7, 11, 12, 13, and 14, enter 4 7
11:14.

Method for estimating standard deviation

Choose the method to estimate the standard deviation that Minitab uses to
calculate the control limits.

Subgroup size > 1

 Sbar: Sbar is the average of the subgroup standard deviations.

The Sbar method provides a more precise estimate of the
standard deviation than Rbar, especially with subgroup sizes
greater than 8.

 Pooled standard deviation: The pooled standard deviation is

the weighted average of subgroup variances, which gives larger
subgroups more influence on the overall estimate. The pooled
standard deviation method provides a more precise estimate of
the standard deviation when the process is in control.

Use unbiasing constant

Select Use unbiasing constant to eliminate bias that can occur when you
estimate certain process parameters. Often, the choice to use unbiasing
constants depends on company policy or industry standards.

Modify the control limits for S

Chart
Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software
Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts for Subgroups > S > S
Options > Limits

In This Topic

 Display additional σ limits at

 Place bounds on control limits
 Force control limits to be straight

Display additional σ limits at

In These multiples of the standard deviation, enter one or more values
to display additional standard deviation lines on your control chart.

For example, you can display additional limits at ±1 and ±2 standard

deviations. Values that you enter affect only the line position on the control
chart, not the test results.

Default 3 sigma limits

Additional sigma limits at 1 and 2 standard deviations

Place bounds on control limits

You can specify a lower bound and an upper bound for the control limits. If
the calculated control limit is farther from the center line than the value that
you specify, Minitab displays the bound instead of the control limit. Minitab
labels the lower bound as LB and the upper bound as UB.

NOTE
Upper bounds and lower bounds do not affect the calculations for any of the
tests for special causes.

Force control limits to be straight

By default, Minitab calculates the control limits using the actual subgroup
sizes. When the subgroup sizes differ, the control limits are uneven, but you
can force the control limits to be straight. Under When subgroup sizes are
unequal, calculate control limits, select Assuming all subgroups have
size, and enter a subgroup size.

This option is especially useful when all subgroups were intended to be the
same size, but some subgroups are a different size. For example, some
subgroups are smaller because of missed measurements. In that case, set
the subgroup size to the intended size.

CAUTION
When you specify a subgroup size, you change the calculations for the
control limits, which can change the results of the tests for special causes.
Use this option only if the differences between the subgroup sizes are small.
Don't use this option when the difference between subgroup sizes is more
than 25%. For example, if the largest subgroup has 10 observations and the
smallest subgroup has 8 observations, then the difference is 20% ((10 – 8) /
10 = 0.2 = 20%).
For example, the data for the following charts is the same, but the control
limits for the second chart were calculated based on a fixed subgroup size.

Actual subgroup sizes

Fixed subgroup size

Select tests for special causes for S

Chart
Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts for Subgroups > S > S
Options > Tests
Minitab provides eight tests for special causes. By default, Minitab uses only
Test 1. Select additional tests based on company or industry standards. Use
the tests to determine which observations to investigate, and to identify the
specific patterns and trends in your data.

In the drop-down list, specify whether to perform some, all, or no tests for
special causes. You can make each test more or less sensitive by changing
the value of K.

TIP
To change the default settings for future sessions of Minitab,
choose File > Options > Control Charts and Quality Tools > Tests.
1 point > K standard deviations from center line

Test 1 identifies subgroups that are unusual compared to other

subgroups. Test 1 is universally recognized as necessary for detecting
out-of-control situations. If small shifts in the process are of interest,
you can use Test 2 to supplement Test 1 in order to create a control
chart that has greater sensitivity.

K points in a row on same side of center line

Test 2 identifies shifts in the process variation. If small shifts in the
process are of interest, you can use Test 2 to supplement Test 1 in
order to create a control chart that has greater sensitivity.

K points in a row, all increasing or all decreasing

Test 3 detects trends. This test looks for a long series of consecutive
points that consistently increase in value or decrease in value.

K points in a row, alternating up and down

Test 4 detects systematic variation. You want the pattern of variation
in a process to be random, but a point that fails Test 4 might indicate
that the pattern of variation is predictable.

Define stages for S Chart

Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts for Subgroups > S > S
Options > Stages

In This Topic

 What are stages?

 Start a new stage with each new value from a column
  Start a new stage with the occurrence of specific values in a column

What are stages?

Use stages to create a historical control chart that shows how a process
changes over specific periods of time. By default, Minitab recalculates the
center line and control limits for each stage. For more information, go to Add
stages to show how a process changed.

This historical control chart shows three stages of a process, which represent
before, during, and after the implementation of a new procedure.

Start a new stage with each new value from a

column
1. In Define stages (historical groups) with this variable, enter the
column that identifies the stages.

In the example below, the values in the Stage column change from 1 to
2 to indicate the beginning of stage 2. The values change from 2 to 3
to indicate the beginning of stage 3.

2. Under When to start a new stage, select With each new value.

C1 C2

Measureme Stag
nts e

... ...
 C1 C2

Measureme Stag
nts e

9 1

10 1

8 2

11 2

... ...

7 2

8 2

5 3

7 3

... ...

NOTE
Ellipses indicate additional rows of data that are not shown.

Start a new stage with the occurrence of specific

values in a column
1. In Define stages (historical groups) with this variable, enter the
column that identifies the stages.

In the example below, the Date column contains the date that each row
of data was collected. New stages began on November 9 and
December 11.

2. Under When to start a new stage, select With the first

occurrence of these values and enter the values. Enclose date/time
or text values in double quotation marks.

In this example, the values to enter are "11/9" "12/11".

C1 C2-D

Measureme Date
nts

... ...

9 11/8

10 11/8

8 11/9

11 11/9

... ...

7 12/1
0

8 12/1
 C1 C2-D

Measureme Date
nts

5 12/1
1

7 12/1
1

... ...

NOTE
Ellipses indicate additional rows of data that are not shown.

Use Box-Cox to transform

nonnormal data for S Chart
Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts for Subgroups > S > S
Options > Box-Cox

Transform your nonnormal data with a Box-Cox transformation.

Transformations are not usually necessary for control charts with subgroups.
But if the data are very skewed, you might want to use a Box-Cox
transformation.

NOTE
If you specify historical parameters, you cannot use a Box-Cox
transformation.
To use the Box-Cox transformation, select Use a Box-Cox transformation
(W = Y^λ), then select the lambda (λ) value that Minitab uses to transform
the data.
  λ = 0 (ln): Use the natural log of your data.

 λ = 0.5 (square root): Use λ = 0.5 (square root).

 Optimal λ: Use the optimal λ, which should produce the best fitting
transformation. Minitab rounds the optimal λ to 0.5 or the nearest
integer.

 Optimal λ for each stage (in a chart with stages): Use the optimal
λ, which should produce the best fitting transformation for each stage
in the chart. Minitab rounds the optimal λ to 0.5 or the nearest integer.

 Other (enter a value between -5 and 5): Enter a value for λ. Other
common transformations are square (λ = 2), inverse square root (λ =
−0.5), and inverse (λ = −1). If your control chart has stages, you can
enter a separate λ for each stage.

Specify the display options for S

Chart
Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts for Subgroups > S > S
Options > Display

In This Topic

 Choose subgroups to display

 Split chart into a series of segments for display purposes
 Other display options

Choose subgroups to display

To see only the most recent subgroups instead of all subgroups, enter the
number of subgroups to include in the chart. Minitab still uses all the data to
calculate the control limits and the center line.

In this example, analysts collect data each hour for one week.
All

By default, Minitab displays all subgroups.

Last

This chart displays only the most recent number of subgroups that you
enter. By default, Minitab displays the last 25 subgroups.

Split chart into a series of segments for display

purposes
When you have a large number of subgroups or observations, consider
splitting your control chart into segments for easier interpretation.

If your chart has stages, Minitab calculates separate control limits and
center line estimates for each segment.

This control chart is split into two segments, by stage.

Other display options

Select Display test results in output tab to show a text summary of
the test results.

Select Display control limit / center line labels for all stages to
display labels for the control limits and the center lines for all stages. If
you don't display the labels for all stages, you can still view the labels by
holding the pointer over the lines.
 Display labels only for the final stage
This is the default setting.

Display labels for all stages

You can choose to display labels for all stages.

Store statistics for S Chart

Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

Stat > Control Charts > Variables Charts for Subgroups > S > S
Options > Storage

Store these estimates for each chart

Standard deviations

Store the estimated or historical standard deviation. Minitab stores

these values in the column STDE.

Store these values for each point

 Point plotted

Store the value of each plotted point. Minitab stores these values in the
column PPOI.

Center line value

Store the center line values. Minitab stores these values in the
column CENL.

Control limit values

Store the control limit values. Minitab stores these values in the
columns CONL and CONL_1.

Stage
Store the name or the number of each stage. Minitab stores these
values in the column STAG.

Subgroup size
Store the size of each subgroup. Minitab stores these values in the
column SSIZ.

Test results
Store the results of each test for special causes. Minitab stores a 1 if
the point fails a test and a 0 if the point does not fail the test. Minitab
stores these values in the columns TRES, TRES_1, and so on.

Interpret the key results for an S

Chart
Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

Complete the following steps to interpret a S chart. Key output includes the S
chart and test results.

In This Topic

 Step 1: Determine whether the process variation is in control

 Step 2: Identify which points failed each test

Step 1: Determine whether the process variation

is in control
The S chart plots the subgroup standard deviations. The center line is the
average of all subgroup standard deviations. The control limits on the S chart,
which are set at a distance of 3 standard deviations above and below the
center line, show the amount of variation that is expected in the subgroup
standard deviations.

Red points indicate subgroups that fail at least one of the tests for special
causes and are not in control. If the same point fails multiple tests, then the
point is labeled with the lowest test number to avoid cluttering the graph. If
the chart shows out-of-control points, investigate those points.

Out-of-control points can influence the estimates of process parameters and

prevent control limits from truly representing your process. If out-of-control
points are due to special causes, then consider omitting these points from the
calculations. For more information, go to Specify how to estimate the
parameters for S Chart.

In these results, one point is out of control on the S chart. Subgroup 8 is more than 3
standard deviations above the center line. Investigate the process to determine why this
subgroup is out of control. When you hold the pointer over a red point, you can see more
information about the subgroup.

Step 2: Identify which points failed each test

Investigate any subgroups that fail the tests for special causes. By default,
Minitab conducts only Test 1, which detects points that fall outside of the
control limits. However, if you conduct additional tests, then points can fail
multiple tests. The output shows exactly which points failed each test, as
shown here.

S Chart of Faults
S Chart of Faults

Test Results for S Chart of Faults

TEST 1. One point more than 3.00 standard deviations from center
line.

Test Failed at points: 8

NOTE
When you use several tests at the same time, the sensitivity of the chart
increases. However, the false alarm rate also increases, which can make you
react to the test results unnecessarily.
For more information on each of the tests and when to use them, go to Using
tests for special causes in control charts.

All statistics and graphs for S Chart

Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software

Find definitions and interpretation guidance for every statistic and graph that
is provided with the S chart.

In This Topic

 Plotted points
 Center line
 Control limits
 Tests for special causes
 Standard deviation
 Stages

Plotted points
The plotted points on a S chart are the subgroup standard deviations.
Interpretation
If the process is in control, the points vary randomly around the center line,
and the process exhibits only common-cause variation. Investigate points
that fall outside the control limits or that exhibit nonrandom patterns for
possible special-cause variation.

Center line
The center line is the average of all subgroup standard deviations.

Interpretation
Use the center line to observe how the process performs compared to the
average. If the process is in control, then the points vary randomly around
the center line.

CAUTION
Do not confuse the center line with the target value for your process. The
target is your desired outcome. The center line is the actual outcome.

Control limits
Control limits are the horizontal lines that are above and below the center
line. The control limits indicate whether a process is out of control, and they
are based on the observed variation within subgroups and on the expected
variation in the plotted points. By default, Minitab displays control limits at 3
standard deviations above and below the center line.

CAUTION
Do not confuse control limits with specification limits. Specification limits
represent customer requirements and indicate the amount of variation that
you want to see in the process. Control limits represent the actual amount of
variation that is in the sample data. A process can be in control, yet not be
capable of meeting specifications.

Tests for special causes

Tests for special causes

The tests for special causes assess whether the plotted points are randomly
distributed within the control limits.
Interpretation
Use the tests for special causes to determine which observations you may
need to investigate and to identify specific patterns and trends in your
data. Each of the tests for special causes detects a specific pattern or trend in
your data, which reveals a different aspect of process instability. For
example, Test 1 detects a single out-of-control point. Test 2 detects a
possible shift in the process.

Four tests are available with this control chart.

Test 1: One point more than 3σ from center line

Test 1 identifies subgroups that are unusual compared to other

subgroups. Test 1 is universally recognized as necessary for detecting
out-of-control situations. If small shifts in the process are of interest,
you can use Test 2 to supplement Test 1 in order to create a control

chart that has greater sensitivity.

Test 2: Nine points in a row on the same side of the center line
Test 2 identifies shifts in the process variation. If small shifts in the
process are of interest, you can use Test 2 to supplement Test 1 in
order to create a control chart that has greater sensitivity.

Test 3: Six points in a row, all increasing or all decreasing

Test 3 detects trends. This test looks for a long series of consecutive
points that consistently increase in value or decrease in value.

Test 4: Fourteen points in a row, alternating up and down

 Test 4 detects systematic variation. You want the pattern of variation
in a process to be random, but a point that fails Test 4 might indicate

that the pattern of variation is predictable.

Standard deviation
The standard deviation measures the overall variability in the data.
Minitab does not display the standard deviation on the chart, but
uses it to calculate the center line and the control limits. To store the
standard deviation in the worksheet, select it on the Storage tab of
the Options dialog box.

Stages
Use stages to create a historical control chart that shows how a
process changes over specific periods of time. By default, Minitab
recalculates the center line and control limits for each stage. For
more information, go to Add stages to show how a process changed.

Interpretation
This historical control chart shows three stages of a process, which
represent before, during, and after the implementation of a new
procedure.

Methods and formulas for

estimating sigma for S Chart
Learn more about Minitab Statistical Software
The process standard deviation is also called sigma, or σ. If you enter an
historical value for sigma, then Minitab uses the historical value. Otherwise,
Minitab uses one of the following methods to estimate sigma from the data.

In This Topic

 Sbar method
 Pooled standard deviation method
 Unbiasing constants c4() and c5()

Sbar method

Without unbiasing constant

If you do not use an unbiasing constant, then the Sbar is the mean of the
subgroup standard deviations:

With unbiasing constant

If you use the unbiasing constant, c 4(ni), then Sbar is calculated as follows:

When the subgroup size is constant, Sbar is:

Notation

Ter
Description
m

c4 (ni value of the unbiasing constant c4 that corresponds to the value

) that is specified in parentheses.
Si standard deviation of subgroup i

m number of subgroups

Pooled standard deviation method

The pooled standard deviation (Sp) is given by the following formula:

When the subgroup size is constant, Sp can also be calculated as follows:

With unbiasing constant

By default, Minitab applies the unbiasing constant, c 4(), when you use the
pooled standard deviation to estimate σ:

When the subgroup size is constant, the unbiased Sp can also be calculated as
follows:

Notation

Ter
Description
m

xij jth observation in the ith subgroup

mean of subgroup i

ni number of observations in subgroup i

μv mean of the subgroup variances

c4(·) value of the unbiasing constant c4 that corresponds to the value

that is specified in parentheses.

d degrees of freedom for Sp, given by the following formula:

Unbiasing constants c4() and c5()

c4()

c5()

Notation

Ter
Description
m

Γ() gamma
function