SPC Out-of-Control Investigation Agent

Control charts flag when a process drifts, but someone still has to work out why, while parts keep coming off the line. This agent watches SPC data for rule violations, such as a point outside limits or seven points on one side of the mean. When one appears, it finds when the shift began and collects every change in that window: material lots, operators, machine settings, tool changes, maintenance and gauge records. Gauge and calibration changes are checked first, because a measurement change can look like a process shift. It ranks candidate causes by how closely their timing matches the signal start, within one subgroup. If no cause explains the pattern, it widens the window by one shift and adds operator and environment data. It drafts containment and the suspect product range. The quality lead approves holds or disposition.