1. Scope

This Technical Report provides guidance on the selection of appropriate statistical techniques that may be useful to an organization in developing, implementing or maintaining a quality system in compliance with ISO 9001. This is done by examining the requirements of ISO 9001 that involve the use of quantitative data, and then identifying and describing those statistical techniques that may be useful when applied to such data.

The list of statistical techniques cited in this Technical Report is neither complete nor exhaustive, and should not preclude the use of any other techniques (statistical or otherwise) that are deemed to be beneficial to the organization. Further, this Technical Report does not attempt to prescribe which stati stical technique(s) must be used; nor does it attempt to advise on how the technique(s) should be implemented.

This Technical Report is not intended for contractual, regulatory or certification purposes. It is not intended to be used as a mandatory checklist for compliance with ISO 9001:1994 requirements. The justification for using statistical techniques is that their application would help to improve the effectiveness of the quality system.