M&M Analysis: Tools of Quality – Part #1

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M&M Analysis: Tools of Quality – Part #1

Assignment After completing the videos and readings included in the Six Sigma Quality module, you should have a basic understanding of how to use the seven tools of quality. This exercise will allow you to apply what you have learned to an M&M quality study. This assignment includes an Excel spreadsheet that contains one check sheet from an M&M process control study (one team member’s check sheet). Open the Excel file and familiarize yourself with the data. The research involves counting the number of each M&M individual candy piece’s color as well as measuring the length of each M&M in a single serving bag. We want to understand the distribution of colors of M&M candy pieces as well as analyze the production process concerning the size of each M&M. Your job is to complete the following: Analysis:

 Activity #1: Using data from the M&M color recording section of the check sheet, create a histogram using Excel or another spreadsheet package that details the number of each color represented in the bag. The format of the histogram should replicate the following (title, axis titles, number of bins, bin starting and ending values, etc.)

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 Activity #2: Using the measurement recording section of the spreadsheet, create a histogram

using Excel or some other spreadsheet package that details the length of the M&Ms. The format of the histogram should replicate the following (title, axis titles, number of bins, bin starting and ending values, etc.). Hint – format your x-axis by the number of bins and use the value 6.

 Activity #3: Using the colors recording section of the spreadsheet again, create a Pareto

diagram using Excel or some other spreadsheet package that details the colors of the M&Ms. The format of the Pareto chart should replicate the following (title, axis titles, number of bins (6), etc.). Hint: A Pareto chart needs to have a percentage line.

You will find hints on creating the charts using excel to create these charts in the Supplemental Material section of the Six Sigma Quality Module in D2L.

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Conclusions (use the Excel Tab titled “Conclusions”): Mars Inc. selected M&M color blends by conducting consumer preference tests, which indicate the assortment of colors that pleased the highest number of people and created the most attractive overall effect. Each large production batch is blended to those ratios and mixed thoroughly. However, since the individual packages are filled by weight on high-speed equipment, and not by count, it is possible to have an unusual color distribution. On average, the mix of colors for M&M’S PEANUT CANDIES is: 23% blue, 23% orange, 15% green, 15% yellow, 12% red, 12% brown

 Activity #4: Analyze your sample data concerning the expected color distribution above.

Complete Activity #4 section in the Excel document (Conclusions Tab)

 Activity #5: Conclude whether or not the percentages of your sample are reasonably within the expectations communicated by Mars Inc. (within the provided control limits)

Complete Activity #4 section in the Excel document (Conclusions Tab)

You must submit an Excel file to the appropriate dropbox in D2L. Grading: Assignment is worth 50 points as follows:  M&M Color Histogram (12 points)

o Correct chart title 1 point o x-axis Title 1 point o y-axis Title 1 point o Correct x-axis labels 1 point o Correct y-axis labels 1 point o Correct number of bins 1 point o Correct number value for each color 6 points

 M&M Measurement Histogram (12 points) o Correct chart title 1 point o x-axis Title 1 point o y-axis Title 1 point o Correct x-axis labels 1 point o Correct y-axis labels 1 point o Correct number of bins 1 point o Correct number value for each measurement 6 points

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 M&M Color Pareto Diagram (14 points) o Correct chart title 1 point o x-axis Title 1 point o y-axis Title 1 point o correct secondary y-axis labels 1 point o Correct x-axis labels 1 point o Correct y-axis labels 1 point o Correct number of bins 1 point o Correct number value for each color 6 points o Correct Pareto line 1 point

 Conclusions (12 points) o Percentages of colors 6 points o Conclusion of color distribution 6 points