Read my SPC chart and process capability results
A plain-English read of a control chart and Cp/Cpk results: whether the process is stable, capable, and what to do next.
The prompt
Help me interpret statistical process control (SPC) data and capability results.
Characteristic and specification: [e.g. "bore diameter, 25.00 mm +/- 0.05"]
Data: [PASTE measurements in time order with subgroup IDs, or the chart's summary values]
Chart type used: [X-bar and R / X-bar and S / I-MR / p or np chart / not sure]
Subgroup size and sampling frequency: [e.g. "5 parts every hour"]
Capability results if already calculated: [Cp, Cpk, Pp, Ppk]
Customer requirement: [e.g. "Cpk 1.33 minimum, 1.67 for special characteristics"]
Process notes: [tool changes, material lots, shifts, adjustments during the period]
Steps:
1. Check the chart type fits the data (variable vs. attribute, subgroup size) and say if a different one is better.
2. If data is given, calculate the center line and control limits, and show the formulas.
3. Check for out-of-control signals using the Western Electric/Nelson rules (points beyond limits, runs of 7-9 on one side, trends, cycles, hugging the center line). Link signals to my process notes where possible.
4. Only if the process is stable, interpret capability: Cp vs. Cpk (spread vs. centering), short-term vs. long-term (Cpk vs. Ppk), expected parts out of spec. Warn if data looks non-normal or the sample is too small (under about 100 values) to trust the result.
5. Recommend actions: center the process, reduce variation, investigate special causes, or reconsider the tolerance with engineering.
Return: a verdict (stable? capable?), the signals found, capability interpretation, next actions, and a 3-sentence summary for a non-statistician.
Do not invent data points. Remind me that control limits come from the process, not the specification.
Highlighted [brackets] are blanks to replace with your own details.
Fill in the blanks and use this promptMore Data & Analysis prompts
What to fill in
- e.g. "bore diameter, 25.00 mm +/- 0.05"
- X-bar and R / X-bar and S / I-MR / p or np chart / not sure
- e.g. "5 parts every hour"
- Cp, Cpk, Pp, Ppk
- e.g. "Cpk 1.33 minimum, 1.67 for special characteristics"
How this prompt is built
This prompt follows the Few-Shot structure (Few-shot prompting). A few-shot prompt includes one or more worked examples of the input and the output you want, so the model can copy the pattern instead of guessing it.
Related prompts
- Design an A/B testHypothesis, variants, metrics, sample size, and duration for a valid test.
- Break down my results into the business drivers behind themBuilds a driver tree from your results, sizes how much each driver contributed to the change, and names which ones to act on.
- Identify the leading and lagging indicators for my business or teamSorts your metrics into leading and lagging indicators, links each lead to the outcome it predicts, and fills gaps in early-warning measures.
- Find the 20% of activities driving 80% of my resultsRuns a Pareto analysis to show the few activities, customers, or products producing most of your results, and what to cut or double down on.