Dynamic probability control limits for CUSUM charts for monitoring proportions with time‐varying sample sizes

• Published in: Quality and reliability engineering international 2020-03, Vol.36 (2), p.592-603
• Main Authors: Aytaçoğlu, Burcu, Woodall, William H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: average run length; binomial distribution; conditional false alarm rate; Conditional probability; Control charts; Control limits; cumulative sum chart; CUSUM charts; False alarms; Monitoring; Size distribution; statistical process monitoring
• ISSN: 0748-8017; 1099-1638
• DOI: 10.1002/qre.2593

We consider the problem of monitoring a proportion with time‐varying sample sizes. Control charts are generally designed by assuming a fixed sample size or a priori knowledge of a sample size probability distribution. Sometimes, it is not possible to know, or accurately estimate, a sample size distribution or the distribution may change over time. An improper assumption for the sample size distribution could lead to undesirable performance of the control chart. To handle this problem, we propose the use of dynamic probability control limits (DPCLs) which are determined successively as the sample sizes become known. The method is based on keeping the conditional probability of a false alarm at a predetermined level given that there has not been any earlier false alarm. The control limits dynamically change, and the in‐control performance of the chart can be controlled at the desired level for any sequence of sample sizes. The simulation results support this result showing that there is no need for any assumption of a sample size distribution with the use of this proposed approach.