What is the purpose of a control chart in Six Sigma?

The purpose of a control chart in Six Sigma is to monitor process stability over time. Control charts help identify variations in the process by plotting data points over a time period against predetermined control limits. This allows teams to visually assess whether a process is stable and consistent or if it is experiencing an unusual amount of variation, indicating potential problems that need to be addressed.

When a process is in control, it will exhibit random variation that falls within the control limits. If data points fall outside these limits or display a non-random pattern, it signals that there may be issues within the process that need investigation. By utilizing control charts, organizations can maintain process control and achieve consistent quality in their outputs, which is fundamental to the Six Sigma methodology.

The other options do not align with the primary function of control charts. For instance, tracking changes in customer preferences relates more to market research rather than process monitoring. Showcasing team accomplishments focuses on human aspects rather than the statistical analysis of processes. Gathering qualitative feedback from employees does not involve the quantitative measurement of process performance, which is the core purpose of control charts.