Quality Control Charts

Control Charts for Labs
Using Excel Spreadsheets
Control Charts and Bench Sheets is a Washington State Department of Ecology website that discusses quality-cont
Manuals and Procedures for Accredited Laboratories offers other resources.
Control charting is a means of visually tracking performance to determine when a procedure is not meeting data q
charts indicate when a procedure is headed out of control so the analyst can pause, eliminate the source of the pr
of-control situation. These spreadsheets automate the construction and use of control charts.
The Standard-solution_Template tab in this worksheet automates construction of control charts based on analyse
as the glucose/glutamic acid standard for the BOD test, or a nitrate solution of known value used to check calibrati
colorimeter).
The Duplicate-solution_Template is used for monitoring the precision of analysis of duplicate samples. Because th
analyses is dependent on concentration, the concentration of pairs chosen for the spreadsheet must be in the sam
Wastewater Treatment Plant could do duplicates on its effluent, and the results would normally be in the same ord
samples from the influent might vary widely).
When setting up a chart, each computes a standard deviation. For the Standard-solution_Template. it is the standard
themselves, and for Duplicate-solution_Template, it is the standard deviation of the actual difference between the t
pair.
Based on those standard deviations, each sheet computes and plots upper and lower warning limits (UWL and LW
lower action limits (UAL and LAL, respectively).
The Standard-solution_Template computes a mean value around which to plot the warning and control lines; the Du
around a value of 0.00, the expected difference between duplicate analyses of a single sample.
After the blank control chart is constructed, there is no need to enter subsequent values, although doing so will pr
professional-looking chart. Results can just be entered on the chart itself in ink to save time. Some users of contro
successive results on the chart so trends are easier to spot (Excel does this for you automatically, if you enter subse
program).
e that discusses quality-control tools for laboratories.
cedure is not meeting data quality objectives. Control

iminate the source of the problem, and prevent the out-
charts.
trol charts based on analyses of standard solutions (such

value used to check calibration of a spectrophotometer or
uplicate samples. Because the difference between the two

eadsheet must be in the same order of magnitude (e.g., a
normally be in the same order of magnitude, whereas
n_Template. it is the standard deviation of the results

ual difference between the two samples in the duplicate
warning limits (UWL and LWL, respectively) and upper and
ing and control lines; the Duplicate-solution_Template plots

sample.
es, although doing so will produce a neat and

time. Some users of control charts draw lines between
omatically, if you enter subsequent results in the
Standard-solution_Instructions
Precision control chart based on standard solutions

When you click the tab for the "Standard-solution_Template" below, the “#DIV/0!” in the “Statistics” block will ind
computing mean, standard deviation, and control limits. To set up the control chart, identify the analyte in Cell A4
B25. The program draws a chart based on only two analyses, but ten or more analyses are recommended for a val
Excel automatically chooses the upper and lower limits of the “Y” axis. This may cause the UAL, UWL, LWL, and LA
would cause the chart to lose definition and usefulness. Avoid this problem by setting the upper and lower limits o
chart, clicking on the “Y” axis, and then choosing FORMAT, SELECTED AXIS, SCALE, and setting the minimum value
UAL. Choose whatever is appropriate for the major and minor units. Once these values are set, they stay with the
After sufficient values have been entered B6 - B25, the chart is ready to use, and subsequent values may be entere
plotted before a new chart must be constructed. Once 30 values have been entered, values for the last 20 (i.e., Tes
compute a new standard deviation and plot a new chart based on the most recent data. Values in Cells D6 - D35 sh
NOTE: Once you have entered data on "Standard-solution_Template," be sure to save your file under a new name,
"BODChart.xls").
Open the sheet tab called "Standard-solution_Example" for an example of a chart that has already been construct
procedure was in control until Test #19 or so when a downward trend started. By the time this lab got to Test #28
corrective action.
Page 3
Standard-solution_Instructions
he “Statistics” block will indicate no data has been entered for use by the program in
entify the analyte in Cell A4 (optional) and enter 10-20 analysis values in Cells B6 through
are recommended for a valid estimate of standard deviation.
the UAL, UWL, LWL, and LAL lines to be placed very close together on the chart which
the upper and lower limits of the “Y” axis by double clicking anywhere in the control
setting the minimum value just below the LAL value, and the maximum just above the
s are set, they stay with the saved file.
equent values may be entered in Cells D6 through D35. As many as 30 values may be
alues for the last 20 (i.e., Tests 11-30) may be copied to B6 - B25. The program will
a. Values in Cells D6 - D35 should then be erased (block, then EDIT, CLEAR, CONTENTS).
your file under a new name, perhaps something associated with the analyte (e.g.,
has already been constructed and used for BOD determinations. You will see that the
time this lab got to Test #28 (or earlier), they should have noticed this trend and taken
Page 4
Standard-solution_Template
Repeated Analysis of a Standard Solution (put your own title in A2)
Test Name (put your own in A4)

Preliminary Tests Daily Tests Repeated Analysis of a Standard
UAL
Test # Result Test # Result 20.00
UWL
1 1
Mean
2 2
LWL
3 3
LAL
4 4
Daily
5 5
6 6
7 7
8 8
9 9
10 10
11 11
Concentration
12 12
13 13
10.00
14 14
15 15
16 16
17 17
18 18
19 19
20 20
STATISTICS 21
for Preliminary 22
tests 23
24
Std Dev #DIV/0! 25
Mean #DIV/0! 26
UAL #DIV/0! 27 0.00
UWL #DIV/0! 28 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
LWL #DIV/0! 29 Test Number
LAL #DIV/0! 30
Page 5
UAL UWL MEAN LWL LAL

#DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0!
Page 6

Page 7
CASCADE WTP LAB NITRATE CHECK STANDARD 2006
Nitrate (5.0 mg/L Check Standard)

Preliminary Tests Daily Tests Repeated Analysis of a Standard
Test Result Test Result 5.3
2-Jan 4.98 1-Feb 5.07
3-Jan 5.04 2-Feb 4.86
4-Jan 4.87 3-Feb 5.00
5-Jan 4.91 6-Feb 4.85
5.2
9-Jan 4.93 7-Feb 4.92
10-Jan 5.07 8-Feb 4.89
11-Jan 4.98 9-Feb 4.97
12-Jan 5.04 10-Feb 4.79
13-Jan 4.87 13-Feb 4.90 5.1
17-Jan 4.91
18-Jan 4.99
Concentration
19-Jan 4.93
20-Jan 5.07
5
23-Jan 5.07
24-Jan 4.98
25-Jan 5.04
26-Jan 4.87
27-Jan 4.91 4.9
30-Jan 4.99
31-Jan 4.96
STATISTICS
for Preliminary
tests 4.8
Std Dev 0.07

Mean 4.97
UAL 5.18 4.7
UWL 5.11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
LWL 4.83
Test Number
LAL 4.76
006
andard
UAL UWL
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
5.18 5.11
MEAN LWL LAL
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
4.97 4.83 4.76
Precision control chart for duplicate measurements
The "Duplicate-solution_Template" in the next tab below is for constructing and using a control chart based in pairs of analyse
duplicates) for a single sample. The two values are entered in Cells B6 - B25 and C6 - C25. Enter at least 10, but preferably ente
with the "Standard-solution_Template", the last 20 pairs in Cells E-6 - E35 and F-6 - F35 may be used to construct a new contro
copying them to Cells B6 - B25 and C6 - C25. See the "Duplicate-solution_Example" tab as an example of this kind of chart.
trol chart based in pairs of analyses (i.e.,
ter at least 10, but preferably enter 20 pairs. As
be used to construct a new control chart by
n example of this kind of chart.
Duplicate-solution_Template
Analysis of Duplicates (put your own title in A1)
Name of Test (put your own in A3)

Preliminary Tests Daily Tests Analysis of Duplicate Samples
Test #1 #2 Test #1 #2 Difference UAL
1 1 1.00
UW L
2 2
LW L
3 3
0.90 LAL
4 4
ZERO
5 5
Daily
6 6 0.80
7 7
8 8
9 9 0.70
10 10
11 11
0.60
12 12
Concentration
13 13
14 14 0.50
15 15
16 16
17 17 0.40
18 18
19 19
0.30
20 20
STATISTICS 21
for Preliminary 22 0.20
tests 23
Std Deviation 24
of the 0.00 25 0.10
difference 26
UAL 0.00 27
UWL 0.00 28 0.00
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
LWL 0.00 29
LAL 0.00 30 Test Number
Page 13
SETUP W X Y Z AA
DIFF UAL UWL CENTER LWL LAL
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Page 14
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Page 15
CASCADE WTP LAB EFFLUENT TSS DUPLICATES
TSS in mg/L
Preliminary Tests Daily Tests Analysis of Duplicate Samples
Test #1 #2 Test #1 #2 Difference
5
1 3.10 4.10 1 3.40 4.20 -0.80
2 2.20 1.20 2 2.10 1.20 0.90
3 3.10 2.20 3 3.20 4.00 -0.80 4
4 4.30 3.10 4 4.20 3.90 0.30
5 3.10 4.00 5 3.30 4.10 -0.80
6 4.30 3.10 6 4.20 2.40 1.80 3
7 5.10 4.10 7 5.00 6.10 -1.10
8 3.20 5.10 8 3.40 5.00 -1.60
9 4.20 3.00 9 4.30 3.20 1.10 2
10 5.00 4.20 10 5.30 5.20 0.10
11 3.10 5.20 11 3.20 5.20 -2.00
1
12 4.10 3.20 12 4.20 3.20 1.00
13 3.20 4.30 13 4.20 4.00 0.20
Concentration
14 4.00 3.20 14 4.00 3.50 0.50

0
15 5.20 4.10 15 5.40 1.90 3.50
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
16 3.40 5.10 16 2.80 5.50 -2.70
17 4.30 3.00 17 4.10 3.50 0.60 -1
18 5.10 4.10 18 4.30 6.00 -1.70
19 2.30 4.20 19 1.50 4.90 -3.40
20 1.20 2.10 20 6.00 2.30 3.70 -2
STATISTICS 21
for Preliminary 22
tests 23 -3
Std Deviation 24
of the 1.29 25
difference 26 -4
UAL 3.86 27
UWL 2.57 28
-5
LWL -2.57 29 Test Number
LAL -3.86 30
LICATES
ysis of Duplicate Samples SETUP W

UAL DIFF UAL
UWL
-1 3.86
LWL
LAL
1 3.86
ZERO 0.9 3.86
Daily 1.2 3.86
-0.9 3.86
1.2 3.86
1 3.86
-1.9 3.86
1.2 3.86
0.8 3.86
-2.1 3.86
0.9 3.86
-1.1 3.86
0.8 3.86
1.1 3.86
22
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
-1.7 3.86
1.3 3.86
1 3.86
-1.9 3.86
-0.9 3.86
3.86
3.86
3.86
3.86
3.86
3.86
3.86
3.86
Test Number 3.86
3.86
3.86
3.86
3.86
3.86
X Y Z AA
UWL CENTER LWL LAL
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86
2.57 0.00 -2.57 -3.86

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Quality Control Charts

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Control Charts for Labs

Using Excel Spreadsheets

cedure is not meeting data quality objectives. Control

trol charts based on analyses of standard solutions (such

uplicate samples. Because the difference between the two

n_Template. it is the standard deviation of the results

warning limits (UWL and LWL, respectively) and upper and

ing and control lines; the Duplicate-solution_Template plots

es, although doing so will produce a neat and

Precision control chart based on standard solutions

Repeated Analysis of a Standard Solution (put your own title in A2)

Test Name (put your own in A4)

UAL UWL MEAN LWL LAL

#DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0! #DIV/0!

Nitrate (5.0 mg/L Check Standard)

Std Dev 0.07

Analysis of Duplicates (put your own title in A1)

Name of Test (put your own in A3)

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

14 4.00 3.20 14 4.00 3.50 0.50

ysis of Duplicate Samples SETUP W

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