Basics of Measurement System Analysis (MSA)

We obtain data by measuring objects, situations or phenomena.
We use this data to classify, describe, improve or control processes and procedures.
We use the term "Measurement System" for all systems that provide data.
It does not matter whether data is actually "measured" in the classical sense or whether data is generated on the basis of experience, evaluations and rules.
In practice, we check our measuring systems far too infrequently, and this despite the fact that the usability of the measuring systems is often very poor. Even a newly calibrated measuring device can be unusable for the measurement for which it is used.

Measuring tools:

• Hardware (measuring instruments, test equipment, gauges, ...)
• Software (databases, evaluation software, algorithms...)

All procedures for the application of the tools:

• Test persons (experience, skills, understanding...)
• Setup and implementation of procedures (rules, instructions, ...)
• Offline calculations and data entry
• Frequency and method of calibration

Environment:

• Space, cleanliness,
• lighting conditions,
• disturbances, noise, stress...

We want to check whether the measurement system is appropriate

• in the environment in which it is used,
• by the people who operate it,
• for the real parts that are to be measured,
• that is, for the measurement task.

Quantitative variables (GR&R) for numbers and units of measurement as well as for

Qualitative factors (attributes) through subjective inspections such as seeing, feeling, smelling, hearing.

In both cases, the influence of repeatability and reproducibility on the variation of the measurements is determined.