Statistical engineering: the key to quality

The importance of statistical methods as a fundamental element of engineering is beginning to be recognised, though rather belatedly. Historical evidence suggests the statistical skill of engineers in the UK is lagging behind that of their opposite numbers in other countries. The lack of a sound statistical element in many engineering degree courses must be a contributory factor. A course in quality assurance embracing the techniques of applied statistics along with the principles of operations management is urgently required. A suitable syllabus is proposed