A Control Scheme for a Gradual Drift in the Process Variance

This paper presents a study on control schemes for gradual increases (drifts) in a process variance. A new control chart, the Drifting Variance Control Chart (DVCC) is designed using Likelihood Ratio Test (LRT), and the ARL performance of the chart is evaluated for different subgroup sizes. The performance of this chart is then compared to some of the popular control schemes for the process dispersion, like the Shewhart S$^2$chart, the CUSUM chart and the EWMA chart. Results are presented and discussed. Also included is a sensitivity analysis that investigates how the DVCC performs when applied to a stepped change in process variance.