What is the function of a quality control chart?

The function of a quality control chart is fundamentally about monitoring process variations and stability. Quality control charts are statistical tools used to analyze and display data collected from a process over time. They help to determine whether a process is in a state of control and functioning optimally, or whether variations in the process are due to common causes (inherent to the process) or special causes (arising from external factors).

By plotting data points on a graph with control limits, professionals can visually assess the consistency of a process. If the data points fall within the control limits, it suggests that the process is stable and predictable. Conversely, points that fall outside these limits indicate potential issues that may require intervention. This proactive monitoring facilitates continuous improvement practices, ensures quality standards are upheld, and helps in making informed decisions for process management.

The other options don't pertain to the primary function of a quality control chart. Tracking employee performance focuses on individual assessments, recording customer feedback deals with external perceptions of quality, and designing new processes is more related to process engineering than to monitoring existing process stability.