Is Industrial Statistics Out of Control?

Abstract

This paper is a critique of the current direction of industrial statistics in the U.S. The sweep includes not just the toolkit of statistical methods most often employed in industry, but also international competitiveness, the corporate climate in which statistical solutions are sought and the educational process which trains applied statisticians. Much is found that is good, but bland endorsement does little to advance a field. Therefore most of the paper is deliberately iconoclastic. Almost all of the extreme viewpoints are rooted in the author's direct experience, working with statisticians and managers across a range of industries. Some of the perspective must be attributed to knowledgable gossip, from friends and students who are now employed by various companies. Incidentally, the paper reviews four new statistical textbooks for engineers and an edited volume of papers on experimental design for industry.