What is the purpose of Statistical Process Control (SPC)?

The purpose of Statistical Process Control (SPC) is fundamentally to measure and control variances in production systems. SPC uses statistical methods to monitor and control a process to ensure it operates at its full potential. This includes identifying the sources of variation, both common and special cause variations that can affect quality and process stability.

By applying SPC techniques, organizations can distinguish between normal fluctuations in the process and those that indicate potential problems. This proactive approach helps in maintaining consistent quality and improving production efficiency, ultimately leading to reduced waste, lower costs, and increased customer satisfaction. It is a critical tool in quality management that supports continuous improvement efforts within a production environment.

The other options focus on aspects unrelated to the core function of SPC. Managing customer relationships pertains more to customer satisfaction and service quality, defining process scope and requirements relates to project management and planning, and conducting financial audits is a financial oversight function rather than a process control activity. Each of these aspects plays an important role in an organization, but they do not address the specific purpose of SPC.