An Overview of the Strategy and Tactics of Taguchi

The methods of Taguchi have received considerable attention in recent years. Part of the attention is due to the success of Genichi Taguchi and his colleagues and part of the attention is due to the mystique and controversy surrounding these methods. In this paper we discuss two separate aspects of the Taguchi method: the strategy of Taguchi and the tactics of Taguchi. The Taguchi tactics involve the specific methods and techniques recommended by Taguchi such as the use of signal-to-noise ratios and the so-called Taguchi designs. We discuss the parameter design strategy of Taguchi for designing and improving products and processes from a statistical point of view. We point out that although there are some apparent flaws in Taguchi's tactics, the basic strategy is a sound one.