Skills for Industrial Statisticians to Survive and Prosper in the Emerging Quality Environment

Abstract

There is a growing perception that statisticians are not typically equipped with the skills required to function effectively in industry. This disparity appears to be greatest for those statisticians working in the area of quality and productivity improvement. Boroto and Zahn summarized the problem when they stated: “A sense of dissatisfaction exists in the statistics profession stemming from a consensus that statisticians in all working environments are undervalued and under-utilized.” “To correct the situation,” noted Box “requires a restructuring comparable in its depth with the political restructuring now going on in Eastern Europe.” In October 1990, the Education Committee of the Statistics Division of the American Society for Quality Control (ASQC) chartered a team to develop a “white paper” on the skills required to function effectively as an industrial statistician working in the area of quality and productivity improvement. This article is the result of the team's effort. Potential root causes for the problem are discussed, and previous work in the area is reviewed. The specific statistical and nonstatistical skills required are listed, and recommendations to close the skill gap are given for academia, industry, government, professional societies, and especially statisticians themselves.

Key Words:

• Statistical consulting
• Statistical practice
• Total quality management
• Training of statisticians