SPECIAL CAUSE Meaning and
Definition
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Special cause refers to a specific and identifiable source or reason behind a particular deviation or variation in a process or system. It is a term mainly used in statistical process control (SPC) and quality management, aiming to differentiate between two types of causes that contribute to variation in a process: special causes and common causes.
Special causes refer to factors that are outside the expected range of normal variation and occur sporadically or infrequently. These causes are specific and identifiable, and they significantly impact the output or performance of a process. They can be attributed to specific events, conditions, or occurrences that are not inherent to the process itself but rather arise due to specific circumstances. Examples of special causes include equipment malfunctions, material defects, operator errors, sudden changes in environmental conditions, or unique customer demands.
In SPC, the presence of special causes indicates that the process is not stable and predictable, as it is influenced by external factors that need to be investigated and eliminated. In order to improve the quality and efficiency of a process, special causes must be identified, documented, and eliminated, thus reducing the variation and enhancing the overall performance. By focusing on eliminating special causes, organizations can stabilize their processes and reduce the occurrence of unpredictable variations, leading to more consistent and reliable outputs.
Common Misspellings for SPECIAL CAUSE
- apecial cause
- zpecial cause
- xpecial cause
- dpecial cause
- epecial cause
- wpecial cause
- soecial cause
- slecial cause
- s-ecial cause
- s0ecial cause
- spwcial cause
- spscial cause
- spdcial cause
- sprcial cause
- sp4cial cause
- sp3cial cause
- spexial cause
- spevial cause
- spefial cause
- spedial cause
Etymology of SPECIAL CAUSE
The word "special" originated from the Latin word "specialis", which means "particular" or "specific". It came into English through the Old French word "especial", which had a similar meaning.
The word "cause" has its roots in the Latin word "causa", meaning "reason" or "motive". It also has ties to the Old French word "cause".
When combined, the term "special cause" refers to a specific or particular reason that has caused an effect or outcome. It is often used in the context of statistical process control, where it signifies a deviation from the normal or common causes of variation.
