6.7.23
Don't miss anomalies with a control chart
When you need to monitor variation in inquiries or yield rates, control charts are effective. Plotting statistical control limits helps detect anomalies immediately.
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| import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
rng = np.random.default_rng(5)
values = 45 + rng.normal(0, 3, size=28)
values[[6, 18]] += np.array([12, -10]) # Inject anomalies
mean = values.mean()
std = values.std(ddof=1)
ucl = mean + 3 * std
lcl = mean - 3 * std
fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(6.4, 3.6))
ax.plot(values, marker="o", color="#0ea5e9")
ax.axhline(mean, color="#334155", linewidth=1.3, label="Mean")
ax.axhline(ucl, color="#ef4444", linestyle="--", label="UCL")
ax.axhline(lcl, color="#ef4444", linestyle="--", label="LCL")
ax.set_xticks(range(0, len(values), 4), labels=[f"W{i+1}" for i in range(0, len(values), 4)])
ax.set_title("Control chart of call handling time")
ax.set_ylabel("Average handling time (sec)")
ax.grid(alpha=0.2)
for idx, val in enumerate(values):
if val > ucl or val < lcl:
ax.annotate(
"Anomaly",
(idx, val),
xytext=(idx + 0.5, val + 4),
arrowprops=dict(arrowstyle="->", color="#ef4444"),
color="#ef4444",
)
ax.legend(loc="upper right")
fig.tight_layout()
plt.show()
|

Reading tips
#
- Draw control limits (±3σ) around the mean to flag statistically abnormal points.
- If anomalies persist, the process may have shifted; investigate root causes.
- Adjust line style and markers to match the tone of your report.