The QI Macros Histogram calculates several process capability analysis metrics.

Descriptions and formulas for these metrics are described below.

Cp and Cpk Process Capability Metrics
o Sigma Estimator
o Cp and Cpk formula
o Cr formula
o Cpm formula
o One Sided Specification Limits

Pp and Ppk Process Performance Metrics

o Pp and Ppk formulas
Cp, Cpk vs Pp, Ppk
Other Process Capability Metrics

Cp and Cpk Process Capability Metrics

Cp measures how well the data fits within the spec limits (USL, LSL)
Cpk measures how centered the data is between the spec limits.
A Cpk of 1.33 is considered to be at 4-Sigma.

Use Cp when you have a sample, not the population, and are testing the potential
capability of a process to meet customer needs. Cp and Cpk use Sigma estimator.

Sigma estimator Formula

d2 is a constant based on subgroup size

c4 is a constant based on subgroup size
Xbar = (Xi)/n
Rbar = Average(Ri) (Average of the Ranges in samples)

Cp, Cpk Formula

Cp = (USL-LSL)/(6*sigest)
(Cp > 1.33 is desired)
CpU (upper) = (USL-Xbar)/(3*sigest)
CpL (lower) = (Xbar-LSL)/(3*sigest)
Cpk = Min(CpU,CpL)

(Cpk > 1.33 is desired)

Cr Formula
The Capability Ratio (Cr) indicates what proportion of tolerance is occupied by the data.
Cr = 1/Cp

Cp = 1.33 ~ Cr = 0.75 (data fits 75% of tolerance)

Cpm Formula
Cpm = (USL-LSL)/(6(sigma2+(Xbar-Target)2))
(Cpm can be used when you have a target value.)

One-Sided Specifications or Unilateral Spec Limits

These equations assume that the process has both upper and lower specification limits.
Until 10/2008, the macros used either CpU (USL) or CpL (LSL) for both Cp and Cpk.
After 10/2008 Cp, Cpk, Cpm and other measures relying on USL/LSL will show "*".

Pp, Ppk Process Performance Metrics

Use Pp when you have the total population and are testing the performance of a system to
meet customer needs. Pp, Ppk use standard deviation.

Pp, Ppk formulas

stdev = stdev(Xi)
Pp(sigma) = (USL-LSL)/(6*stdev)
Ppu (upper) = (USL-Xbar)/(3*stdev)
Ppl (lower) = (Xbar-LSL)/(3*stdev)
Ppk(sigma) = Min(Ppu,Ppl)

(Pp > 1.33 is desired)

(Ppk > 1.33 is desired)

Cp, Cpk vs Pp, Ppk

Use Cp, Cpk when you have a sample and are testing the potential capability of a process
to meet customer needs. Cp Cpk use sigma estimator.
Use Pp, Ppk when you have the total population and are testing the performance of a
process to meet customer needs. Pp, Ppk use standard deviation.
For example, if you test a sample of 10 widgets from a batch of 100 widgets:

Use Cp, Cpk to measure and make a statement about the whole batch of 100
widgets.
Use Pp, Ppk to measure and make a statement about just the 10 widgets you
measured.

Other Resources

Control chart formulas

Histogram in Excel with Cp Cpk
Download a free pdf of histogram formulas and sample calculations at histogrammanual-calcs.pdf

The histogram with Cp Cpk and other metrics is just one of the tools included in the
QI Macros for Excel SPC Software for Excel.