SAS/QC Software
Analysis of Means
Analysis of Means Chart
Originally studied by Laplace in 1827, Analysis of Means has become a common approach to identifying any group that is performing differently from the rest. Unlike ANOVA, which can only tell us if there is a significant difference between the group means, Analysis of Means identifies those means which are significantly different. The Analysis of Means chart plots the overall mean, and displays how each group mean contrasts from it. The user has the option of choosing the decision limits, and the chart clearly demonstrates any group that exceeds them. The Analysis of Means chart can handle continuous response data, proportions, or even rates.
The Analysis of Means chart differs from the Shewhart chart because it is a formal test of hypothesis, wherein the latter is used to distinguish between common causes and special causes of variation. Both approaches complement each other in trying to evaluate your efficiency
Statistics and Operations Research Home Page | SAS/QC Software