Gauge R&R and Attribute Agreement Analysis as it Applies to Non-Measurement Assessments

Gauge R&R and Attribute Agreement Analysis as it Applies to Non-Measurement Assessments

Many organizations now undertake Gauge R&R studies on their measuring instruments. However, the facilities now available for undertaking similar studies for non-measurement type instruments, such as Go/No-Go gauges, are less well known. Strictly speaking, the term “Gauge R&R” applies only to the study of instruments which measure characteristics on a continuous scale, such as force, length, viscosity, pH, etc. When the performance of the gauge or procedure being studied is used to make assessments on a non-continuous scale, such as Pass/Fail or a rating, then it is more usual to refer to the study as Attribute Agreement Analysis.

The Attribute Agreement Analysis study can be set up in much the same way as a regular Gauge R&R study. A number of parts are selected from the process, and are assessed by two or more operators. It will be possible from the study to determine how consistent the operators are within their own assessments, as well as the degree of consistency between operators. If it is possible to set a standard for the assessment of each part, then the performance of each operator can also be compared to standard.

The Attribute Agreement Analysis study doesn’t just apply to Pass/Fail type assessments, such as those used with Go/No-Go type gauges, but can also be used to test the consistency of operators where they make assessments on a rating scale.

Modern statistical software, such as Minitab, can be used to collect the study data and undertake the analysis. Graphical output and Kappa statistical values can be used to study the effectiveness and accuracy of the operators in carrying out their assessments.

Learn more about Gauge R&R and Attribute Agreement Analysis by attending our Measurement Systems Analysis training course.