Announcing Matrix Plots for Excel

KnowWare International Inc. announces the addition of Matrix Plots to the QI Macros SPC (statistical process control) software for Excel. Does color affect the amount of residue left by a shampoo and does that affect customer perceptions of quality? Manufacturers need to quickly determine if one characteristic of a product affects another. Matrix plots are one way of evaluating these interactions.

Matrix plots are a matrix or table of scatter plots showing every characteristic plotted against every other one. If one plot looks like a shotgun blast, there is no interaction. If another one looks like the linear stitching of a machine gun, then there is a strong cause-and-effect between the two characteristics. Matrix plots tell users where to focus their efforts for improvement. With the QI Macros Matrix Plots, users can analyze up to 255 characteristics quickly and easily.

The QI Macros are an add-in for Microsoft Excel that automate all of the charts and diagrams required for statistical process control (SPC) and Lean Six Sigma. There are over 75,000 registered users. The QI Macros consist of four parts:

1.      21 Macros that use existing Excel data to create pareto, control charts, and histograms.

2.      Over 60 fill-in-the-blank templates for Lean Six Sigma and ISO documentation.

3.      Statistical analysis tools like ANOVA, f-test, regression, and a sample size calculator.

4.      Data transformation tools like restacking, word counts and cross tabulation.

People don’t need a PhD in statistics to use the QI Macros. From nurses to Six Sigma Black Belts, users often say that the QI Macros are convenient and hassle free:

·        Easy to learn. The pull-down menu gives immediate access to all tools.

·        Works directly on Excel data.

·        Automates the most commonly used Lean Six Sigma improvement tools.