Robustness Development and Reliability Growth: Value-Adding Strategies for New Products and Processes

Chapter 16. Building Models Using ANOVA and Regression

Models¹ are essential tools in developing new products. With a good model we can predict performance as the important factors vary. We can also use a model to select operating points that are less sensitive to noise, including outside effects from the environment as well as variations internal to our system. There are two types of models: first-principles and empirical. In this chapter we discuss two of the tools that are important in building empirical models, ANOVA and regression.

1. In this chapter we use the term model to signify a mathematical representation of a system or process as opposed to a physical prototype that represents the software and hardware of that intended design.