Control Chart Builder Improvements

[jszarka]

What inspired this wish list request? Control Chart Builder (CCB) is the key platform moving forward, particularly with the legacy charts being retired. CCB offers lots of dynamic capabilities, but in my opinion can be a little clunky and the default views can be improved.

What is the improvement you would like to see? Below I list several items that I've shared with other JMP users from several companies that agree that would be nice "quality of life" adds to the CCB platform.

Why is this idea important? Current users still using the legacy platform are disappointed with it being retired for a reason. CCB may offer new features, but some of their traditional views and user experiences in the legacy platform leave them wanting to stay there. By integrating the best of both worlds into CCB, users moving forward can be very satisfied.

1. Improved scaling of the y-axes. I find in CCB they are very "tight" as the control limits can be very close to the min/max established. Fitting the same chart in the legacy platform typically offers better orientation (as does Graph Builder). Utilizing the same logic for the limits can be an improvement.
2. Show Limit Labels to match the legacy platform. Currently they are inline on the right-hand side, which will change the orientation of the graph. If they are shown on the outside of the graph like the legacy platform, the graph will be unchanged and preserved.
3. Shorten the labels of the y-axes for the different charts. I noticed improved displays in JMP 18, and this is worst with crowding in 3-way charts. The easiest fix in my mind is to create an option for 'abbreviated labels' that would use 'Mean/Avg/Xbar', 'MR', 'R', 'S/StdDev' and also potentially remove the units for brevity and the fact that it matches the common language (e.g., Xbar-R charts). You could potentially update the title as well to shorten it too.
4. Change the default Graph Spacing Color to match the overall background color. The dark gray is not the best. My personal option is to use Graph Spacing = 15, Graph Spacing Transparency = 0, and Graph Borders = On to help separate the sections of the graph. This personal option also matches what is used in the JMP 18 Sample Preset "IMR Chart with Tests."
5. Enhance the By variable broadcasting. When invoked, separate control panels still need to be manipulated individually on the control panels in the left pane.

I think these are small adds that can make a difference - and possibly others in the community have great ideas as well to weigh in on!

[jszarka]

I can use the Vial Fill Weights example from the JMP sample library to illustrate numbers 1-4 in the post. On the left is what I would get from JMP by default; on the right is how it could look with the enhancements applied.

[tkwhite]

Great ideas John!  Agree 100%.

[aharding]

I agree with John's ideas. He represents many practitioners who like crisp easy to see and interpret output.

[anchildress]

I'll add another vote for John's suggestions! I especially would like to see improvements around John's fifth point. This can be very frustrating with many levels in a By variable. 

I'd also like to add the request for improved date/time column format recognition in the CCB X axis. In Axis Settings, CCB does not seem to recognize time formatting, which makes it challenging to edit the time increments/spacing. 

Control Chart Builder:

Graph Builder:

[shampton82]

Great suggestions and along the lines of item number 2 is to allow the limits to show up when using phases.  right now they only who up when not using phases (18.1).

[ktbrickey22]

These are all great suggestions, John, and I would love to see them implemented in Control Chart Builder. 

One thing I notice with Control Chart Builder is that when you press 'Start Over' the platform 'blinks' - it disappears and reopens. In contrast in Graph Builder is you press 'Start Over' the platform does not vanish/reappear, it just clears all selections. This is a minor issue of course, but I do find the behavior a bit strange!

[mia_stephens]

Thank you for these suggestions @jszarka.

Some of these ideas have already been captured, and we'll investigate the others. For #3 and especially #4, creating a platform preset might provide an easy way to apply the changes you suggest.

Please note that in JMP 19 you will be able to add legacy control charts back to Quality and Process menu using a Menu Preference. The note indicating that legacy control charts are no longer supported is now more subtle in JMP 19 (no longer a red banner), and this note can be turned off using a Control Chart preference. 

[jszarka]

Thanks for the acknowledgement, @mia_stephens. In general, CCB works pretty well, but this highlights a portion of those "I wish CCB could..." elements that I find myself saying more so around CCB than other dynamic platforms like Graph Builder. Happy to engage further!

[mia_stephens]

We understand the requests @jszarka , and thank you to others who have also added comments and other suggestions. There are some technical challenges related to some requests, because Control Chart Builder was built on the Graph Builder framework. But, we hear you, and have captured this feedback. Thank you!