In control charts, what does the term "lower limit control" refer to?

The term "lower limit control" in control charts specifically refers to the minimum value that a process should not exceed. In the context of process control, this lower limit, also known as the Lower Control Limit (LCL), is derived from statistical calculations based on historical data. The purpose of the lower control limit is to establish a threshold that, if breached, indicates potential issues within the process being monitored.

When the process data points fall below this lower limit, it signals that the process may be out of control, leading to the need for investigation and potential corrective actions. It supports the continuous improvement efforts by providing a clear boundary, enabling organizations to identify when a process is producing results that deviate significantly from expected performance.

This understanding is crucial for quality control and operational efficiency, allowing organizations to maintain consistent product quality and optimize their processes.