Process Improvement Through Evolutionary Operation

Laboratory and pilot-plant experimentation, performed to find means of improving a product or process, must often be supplemented by trials on the prototype equipment. Evolutionary Operation, first proposed by Dr. George Box, is a statistical method of conducting such trials without interference with routine production. By slight but deliberate variation of a few of the influential factors at a time, the process is gradually moved in the direction of an optimum. Weight of evidence for the improvement is built up by repeating each set of experimental conditions a great number of times. Since it results in a movement toward optimum conditions without disrupting normal production, Evolutionary Operation can be considered as a permanent plan for plant operation.