control chart: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specialized technical term)Formal, Technical, Professional
Quick answer
What does “control chart” mean?
A statistical tool used in quality control to monitor and analyze process variation over time.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A statistical tool used in quality control to monitor and analyze process variation over time.
A graphical representation of data used to determine whether a manufacturing or business process is in a state of statistical control; often used in Six Sigma, Lean, and other process improvement methodologies.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The concept and terminology are identical in both technical and business contexts.
Connotations
Strongly associated with manufacturing, engineering, and business process management in both regions.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general language but standard within quality management and industrial engineering fields in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “control chart” in a Sentence
The engineer constructed a control chart [for the process].We plotted the data [on the control chart].The points [on the control chart] fell [within the control limits].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “control chart” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The team reviewed the control chart from the Bristol plant before the meeting.
- Implementing a control chart was the first step in their quality initiative.
American English
- The control chart clearly showed the spike in defects on the night shift.
- She presented the control chart data to the management committee.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in operational reviews to demonstrate process stability and identify areas for quality improvement.
Academic
Common in engineering, statistics, and business management textbooks and research papers on quality control.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would only be used by someone discussing technical aspects of their work.
Technical
The primary context: a specific tool in statistical process control (SPC) for distinguishing between random and assignable variation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “control chart”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “control chart”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “control chart”
- Confusing it with a simple line graph or Gantt chart.
- Using 'control chart' to refer to any chart used for monitoring (e.g., a project progress chart).
- Pronouncing 'chart' as /ʃɑːt/ instead of /tʃɑːt/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A run chart shows data over time. A control chart adds statistically calculated control limits (Upper Control Limit and Lower Control Limit) which help determine if the process variation is stable and predictable.
Walter A. Shewhart of Bell Laboratories in the 1920s. They are often called Shewhart control charts in his honor.
Points outside the control limits (or specific patterns within the limits) suggest the presence of 'special cause' variation—meaning the variation is not random and is likely due to a specific, identifiable factor that needs investigation.
Primarily in manufacturing, but also in healthcare (monitoring patient outcomes), finance (tracking transaction errors), and any service or administrative process where consistency and quality are measured.
A statistical tool used in quality control to monitor and analyze process variation over time.
Control chart is usually formal, technical, professional in register.
Control chart: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈtrəʊl tʃɑːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈtroʊl tʃɑrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A point outside the control limits”
- “In control”
- “Out of control”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CONTROL CHART as a CHART that helps you CONTROL a process, showing you when it's stable or going off the rails.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PROCESS IS A JOURNEY / PATH. The control chart is the MAP of that journey, with the control limits acting as the GUARD RAILS to show when the process has veered off its intended path.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a control chart?