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KEY WORDS
SUMMARY
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a simple way of teaching an introduction to statistical process
control (SPC) to associates using peanut M&M's. This paper contains the teaching guide. This teaching guide
includes an overview of how to introduce each SPC tool, the general steps in constructing the SPC tool, and how
to use M&M's to practice the SPC tool. This training is given as part of a two-day introduction to quality to all
associates in an industrial distributor.
INTRODUCTION
Industrial Distribution Group Charlotte (IDG) is an industrial distributor based in Belmont, North
Carolina. IDG has been involved with quality since 1991. Each associate attends a two-day introduction to
quality within the first six months of his or her employment. This training introduces the associates to IDGs
quality process. This process has many components. On the soft side of quality, there is teamwork, motivation,
recognition, reinforcement, social styles and feedback. On the hard side of quality, there is ISO 9000, problem
solving methodologies, and, of course, the basic SPC tools.
The initial SPC training developed for inclusion in this introductory training involved showing examples
of each SPC tool. These tools included Pareto diagrams, process flow diagrams (PFD), histograms, cause and
effect (fishbone) diagrams, and control charts. Participants, in teams, would construct a process flow diagram and
a fishbone on some self-chosen topic. Feedback on this approach indicated that most participants found that this
approach was very boring. In addition, what they learned did not stay with them for very long on the job.
A new approach was definitely needed. This approach had to be fun and had to be something that
associates could easily remember - something like the red bead exercise. Everyone remembers this over time,
especially if they were one of the willing workers. It was decided to build this approach around peanut M&M's.
Associates leaving this training should know how to construct a process flow diagram, cause and effect
(fishbone) diagram and a Pareto diagram. They should also be able to interpret a histogram and a control chart.
More advanced SPC training is available from other sources. The M&M's approach to teach the initial SPC
training is described below.
OUTLINE OF TRAINING
Associates are taught the concept of variation before the SPC tools are introduced. The variation module
includes the following points:
The red bead exercise is performed during this module on variation. This background information is
needed before moving into the SPC tools.
Actual company examples of each SPC tool are included. The introduction to the SPC tool should only
take 10 to 15 minutes. The rest of the time is spent applying the tools using peanut M&M's. The training
process is described below as if you were teaching the workshop.
TRAINING PROCESS
Before starting, you need to have peanut M&M's available. Use the packages that contain about 22
M&M's per bag. You will need a bag for each person, one for each team and a couple for yourself (in case you
get hungry).
The first SPC tool introduced is the process flow diagram. The following points are made about the
process flow diagram.
You are now ready to introduce the story of peanut M&M's. Tell the class that we are going to explore
the use of the SPC tools by learning about peanut M&M's. There is a lot of information on the web site for
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M&M's that you can use to introduce the subject. For example:
M&M's Plain Chocolate Candies were first manufactured in 1940 when Forrest E. Mars, Sr. formed a
company in Newark, New Jersey to make chocolate candies. The original idea was to offer chocolates
that could be sold throughout the year, including summer, when many people stopped buying chocolate
because of the heat. Many stores either discontinued stocking chocolate or greatly reduced buying
because this was before air conditioning.
M&Ms Plain Chocolate Candies are made of milk chocolate inside a thin and colorful sugar shell.
The chocolate used in M&Ms melts just like fine chocolate. This gives the product its great taste -- but
the thin and colorful sugar shell surrounds the chocolate and gives it the crunchy texture. In other words,
the milk chocolate melts in your mouth, not in your hand.
M&Ms Peanut Chocolate Candies are made of whole peanuts covered with milk chocolate inside a
thin and colorful sugar shell. The Peanut variety of M&Ms Chocolate Candies debuted in 1954.
Tell the class we are going to learn about peanut M&M's through the use of our SPC tools. Ask the
class the following questions:
When debriefing the PFD, ask the class the following questions:
How many teams could open the bag of M&M's based on the PFD?
Did the PFD you used agree with the one your team developed?
Why are there differences in the PFDs?
What insights into PFDs did this exercise give you?
Yes
The next SPC tool introduced is the Pareto diagram. The following points are highlighted about the
Pareto diagram.
What is a Pareto diagram? The Pareto diagram is a special type of bar chart used to
determine which problem to work on first to improve a
process. It is based on the 80/20 rule (80% of our problems
are due to only 20% of the possible causes).
When do you use a Pareto You use a Pareto diagram to determine what problem to
diagram? work on first.
What can you learn from using a You can learn what the vital few problems or causes of a
Pareto diagram? problem are. This allows you to focus your time and
attention where you will get the most return.
How do you use a Pareto You make a Pareto diagram using the steps in constructing
diagram? a Pareto diagram shown in Figure 3.
Where have we used a Pareto Reasons for credits, reasons for customer complaints,
diagram? supplier errors by supplier, reasons for computer
downtime.
Now return to the M&M's. Ask the class the following questions:
When debriefing the Pareto diagram, ask the class the following questions:
Figure 4: Pareto Diagram for Colors in Peanut M&Ms Bags (September 2000)
Percent
60 50% 50%
40%
40 36
29% 30%
26 26
20%
20 13 12 10
10%
0 0%
Brown Red Yellow Blue Green Orange
As the teams are making the Pareto diagram, take a data collection sheet and go around to each team and
record the number of red, green, yellow, brown, blue and orange M&M's in each bag. This is the data you need
to complete the rest of the SPC training. There should be one line completed on the data collection sheet for each
person in the class. An example of the data collection form is shown in Figure 5. This type of sheet is easily
setup in a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel. Make copies of the completed data collection sheet for
everyone in the class.
Figure 5: Data Collection Sheet Design for M&M's
B ag Num ber of Num ber of Num ber of Num ber of Num ber of Num ber of Total
Num ber Red Green Y ellow B rown B lue Orange Num ber
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
The next SPC tool introduced is the histogram. The following points are made about the histogram.
Now return to the M&M's. Ask the class the following questions:
The answer to the last question is, of course, the histogram. Then:
Pass out a copy of the data collection sheet. Figure 6: Steps in Constructing a Histogram
Divide the class back up into their teams to
do a histogram on the total number of
Select the number of classes (K) to
M&M's in a bag (the total is on the data be used on the histogram using the
Select the time frame (history) following guidelines:
collection sheet). Have a blank histogram you are interested in and gather No. of data points K
chart ready to hand out with the x-axis and the data (at least 50 points0 50 - 100 5 - 15
101 - 250 16 - 20
y-axis already filled in. Ask the class over 250 21 - 25
simply to count how many times each
number occurred and plot that as a bar on Calculate the overall
Calculate the class width
(width of bar on the
range (R), where R equals
the chart. the maximum value minus
histogram). The class
width, h, is determined
When the histograms are complete, bring the the minimum value.
by h = R/K.
class back together and debrief.
Select the class
Round h to the boundaries so that data
When debriefing the histogram, ask the class the nearest convenient points do not fall on the
number. boundary between two
following questions: classes.
Figure 7: Histogram for Number of Peanut M&M's per Bag (September/October 2000)
20
18
18
16
14
Frequency
12
10 9
8 7
6 5 5
4 3
2
2
0
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Number per Bag
The next SPC is the cause and effect (fishbone) diagram. The following points are made about the cause
and effect diagram.
What is a fishbone diagram? A fishbone diagram is a tool that shows the relationship
between a quality characteristic (effect) and possible
sources of variation for this quality characteristic (causes).
When do you use a fishbone You use a fishbone to determine the causes of a problem.
diagram?
What can you learn from using a The fishbone diagram helps organize the results of a
fishbone diagram? brainstorming session on causes of the problem. It helps
you identify the possible causes, discuss the causes and
determine the most likely cause.
How do you use a fishbone You make a fishbone diagram using the steps in
diagram? constructing a fishbone diagram shown in Figure 8.
Where have we used a fishbone? To find causes for late deliveries to customers, for
uncollected freight, for picking errors, and for credits.
Now return to the M&M's. The class is going to develop a fishbone diagram on possible causes of
variation in the number of M&M's in a bag. To do this, it is helpful to give them a little background
information on how M&M's are produced. Again, this information is available from their web site. For
example:
A special packaging machine then weighs the M&Ms, Methods People Environment
pours the proper amount into each bag, and heat-seals each package to ensure product safety
and freshness. The finished packages are moved along a conveyor belt to a machine that
assembles the shipping cartons, fills them with the right number of packages, and seals the
cartons closed. The cartons are then loaded into trucks and transported to distribution centers,
and then to stores across the country!
Did you think that there are ever any problems with the making of peanut M&M's?
What SPC tool can be used to determine the causes of a problem
Figure 9: Fishbone Diagram on the Causes of Variation in the Number of Peanut M&M's in a Bag
Operator error
Different
number
Heavier of M&M's
Scales arent per bag
No data collection ingredients
calibrated
The next SPC tool is the control chart. The following points are made about control charts.
What is a control chart? A control chart is a picture of the variation in your process
over time.
When do you use a control You use a control chart to monitor the key variables in any
chart? process.
What can you learn from using a You can learn if the process is in statistical control
control chart? whether there are just common causes of variation present
or if you have special causes present also.
How do you use a control chart? There are five basic steps in developing a control chart:
1. Gather data.
2. Plot the data.
3. Calculate the average.
4. Calculate the control limits.
5. Interpret the chart.
Where have we used a control Picking accuracy, service level, customer complaints, and
chart? average time for delivery.
The details of how to construct a control chart are not covered in this introduction. The focus is on
interpreting the control charts. The following tests are taught to the class:
Time is spent examining control charts to determine if the chart is in or out of statistical control. The p, c
and individuals control chart are covered. These three charts are all most distributors need.
For the entire class, determine the percentage of different colors in an average peanuts M&M's bag
(add up all of one color and divide by the total number of M&M's)? The percentages from the September 2000
class are shown below.
% Red 17%
% Yellow 25%
% Brown 20%
% Orange 6%
% Blue 19%
% Green 14%
How do you think this compares to what Mars, Inc. says is in an average peanuts M&M's
bag?
Figure 10 is the % of M&M's per bag on average based on the data from the web site.
25%
15%
Percent
10% 10%
10%
5%
0%
Blue Brown Red Yellow Green Orange
Color
Can we predict, based on our sample, what a bag of peanut M&M's may contain?
If yes, what kind of SPC tool will tell us if a process is consistent and predictable?
When the exercise is done, tell the class to return to their seats and debrief the exercise.
When debriefing the control charts, ask the class the following questions:
How did the averages on the control charts compare to what Mars, Inc says should be in a bag of
M&Ms on average?
How much variation can you expect within a bag?
Are there any special causes of variation?
50%
45% UCL
40%
35%
Percent of Yellow
30%
25%
20% Avg
15%
10%
5%
0%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
Scatter diagrams are not covered in this overview to SPC. However, it would be easy to include scatter
diagrams and plot the number of one color of M&M's against the number of another color of M&M's in the
bags.
CONCLUSIONS
This session has introduced how to use peanut M&M's to introduce the concept of SPC. After using
this approach at IDG, the feedback from participants has been excellent. The enhancements to the SPC portion of
the training have helped evaluations improve. Whats more important, however, is that the participants have been
able to take the concepts back to the workplace and use them. We found a simple way to digest SPC.
REFERENCES
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www.m-ms.com