RK:Quality Methods
Design of Experiment
The process for carrying out a trial
THE PROGRAMME TO CARRY OUT A DoE
If we know the design techniques that are available, we can begin to follow the programme to plan a designed trial.
NOTE: The first 12 of the 16 steps in the programme are associated with the planning of the trial; be patient!
The 16 steps of a DoE or Planned Trial
To see more detail of this programme, you can DOWNLOAD Logic for planning a trial.
If a culture of DO - SHIT - PLAN - EXCUSES exists (as opposed to PLAN-DO-CHECK-ACT) where instant trials are carried out to establish a temporary setting, then the lengthy preparation and planning for design of experiment will be an easy target for criticism; it may be assumed by those not aware of the technique that the knowledge gained from a DoE will also be of a transitory nature, when in fact it is a far deeper understanding of the process for which we are looking.
Be aware a designed experiment is a series of trials to understand process variability which can be confusing. The trial also builds upon our knowledge of why things change, so process problems can be improved and later avoided.
I often recall it being said that:
We never have time to it right first time, but we always have time to do it again, and again, and again,
