2. o What is rational sub-grouping?
• It’s the logical distinction of potential sub-processes that exist within an overall process.
• These sub-processes are usually distinguished (or grouped) by a factor or category. Examples:
Time (e.g., shift, time of day, day of month, etc.)
Location (e.g., country, geographic region, metro/rural, native language, etc.)
Processes (e.g., separating different processes or different methods of the same process, etc.)
People (e.g., tenure, education level, etc.)
o How do I know if I need rational sub-grouping?
• Special cause variation may reveal the need
for rational sub-grouping.
If the same special cause tests tend to fail, then
a sub-group may exist in the process.
• Non-normal data can sometimes also indicate
that sub-groups exist.
A non-normal process may be caused by multiple,
overlapping normal processes.
From a normality plot, group the data points for
each straight line in the plot to see if sub-groups exist.
o How do I know if I have the right rational sub-grouping?
• Use ANOVA and HOV tests (Analyze phase) to confirm statistical differences between sub-groups.
Keep the sub-grouping only if a statistical difference exists (low P value) between the sub-groups.
Rational Sub-grouping Defined
2
125.0%100.0%75.0%50.0%25.0%0.0%-25.0%-50.0%
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MetricB
Percent
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A
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Probability Plot of MetricB
Normal
Sub-Group A
Sub-Group B