Information Quality

15InfoQ support with Minitab

Pere Grima, Lluis Marco‐Almagro and Xavier Tort‐Martorell

Department of Statistics and Operations Research, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, BarcelonaTech, Barcelona, Spain

15.1 Introduction

Minitab is a statistical software package available from www.minitab.com that combines ease of use with the ability to handle large volumes of data and perform a wide range of statistical analyses. Simplicity and the feeling of always having everything “under control,” without the software making unclear assumptions, are strengths of Minitab that differentiate it from other statistical packages.

Data are placed in Minitab in Excel‐like datasheets, so that they are easy to view and manage. Furthermore, analysis of these data can be conducted using clear and well‐structured menus. In fact, you can start using Minitab without devoting a lot of time to learn how it works. This fact makes it very popular among those who occasionally need to perform statistical analyses with rigor and versatility but without mastering the intricacies of highly technical or specialized software. Perhaps for this reason, Minitab is widely used in industrial environments and in the field of quality improvement (often within the framework of a Six Sigma improvement project).

Minitab’s initial screen is shown in Figure 15.1. In addition to the main menu at the top, there is the session window (where the results of conducted analyses appear) and the worksheet, the Excel‐like datasheet ...