Performance improvement: impact of training in statistical process analysis for engineers at an IC factory

Reports on the production of integrated circuits ‐ a cyclical process consisting of a large number of operations, the results of which are measured, where possible ‐ in a large, Dutch IC factory. The measurements are analysed by the process and equipment engineers using DATA, a statistical analysis system. This process analysis is intended for the analysis of process problems and for monitoring and optimizing the production process. The automation section, which is responsible for DATA, had stated that DATA was not being used optimally and that too few of the engineers were using it. The management had the impression that DATA should be more intensively used in order to meet the ever‐increasing requirements which the clients put on process control. Seeks to determine the causes of the problem, how the problem could be classified, and whether there was a need for training. On the basis of needs analysis, concludes that the situation involved a performance problem for which a solution had to be found. The needs analysis has also led to a clear description of the need for training among the target group. Reports that, subsequently, on the basis of these results a training programme was developed and implemented. Concludes with an evaluation of the impact of this training programme on the use of the DATA system.