Run sum control charts for the monitoring of process variability

A two-sided run sum S control chart is proposed and its average run length performance is evaluated via a Markov chain technique. The performance of the chart is compared to several well-known control-charting procedures for the monitoring of process variability. One-sided counterparts of the proposed run sum charts are also discussed. The numerical results demonstrate an improved performance of the run sum S control charts as compared with control charts with runs rules, especially in the detection of increasing shifts in process variability. A practical guidance for the selection of the appropriate charting procedure is also given.