Control Chart

A chart that plots process measurements over time against predefined upper and lower control limits, with a central line showing the process average to help spot trends or shifts toward either limit.

Key Points

  • Shows data over time with a centerline (mean/target) and upper/lower control limits (UCL/LCL).
  • Helps distinguish common-cause variation from special-cause signals.
  • Control limits are calculated from process performance, not customer specifications.
  • Used to monitor process stability and trigger investigation when rules are violated.

Example

A QA lead charts weekly defects per 1,000 lines of code. After several points trend upward and one exceeds the UCL, the team pauses releases to investigate a recent tool change causing the variation.

PMP Example Question

Which tool should a project manager use to determine whether a process is stable by tracking performance over time against statistically derived limits?

  1. Control chart
  2. Run chart
  3. Pareto chart
  4. Histogram

Correct Answer: A — Control chart

Explanation: A control chart includes a centerline and control limits to assess process stability; a run chart lacks control limits.

Leadership for Project Managers Course

Lead with clarity, confidence, and real impact. This Leadership for Project Managers course turns day-to-day challenges—unclear priorities, tough stakeholders, and cross-functional friction—into opportunities to guide teams and deliver outcomes that matter.

You’ll learn practical leadership skills tailored to project realities: setting direction without overcontrol, creating alignment across functions, and building commitment even when authority is limited. We go beyond theory with tools you can use immediately—one-sentence visioning, stakeholder influence maps, decision framing, and feedback scripts that actually land.

Expect hands-on frameworks, real-world examples, and guided practice to prepare for tough moments—executive readouts, resistance from stakeholders, and high-stakes negotiations. Downloadable templates and checklists keep everything actionable when the pace gets intense.

Ready to influence without waiting for a bigger title? Join a community of ambitious PMs, sharpen your edge, and deliver with purpose—project after project.



Lead with clarity, influence, and outcomes.

HK School of Management brings you a practical, no-fluff Leadership for Project Managers course—built for real projects, tight deadlines, and cross-functional teams. Learn to set direction, align stakeholders, and drive commitment without relying on title. For the price of a lunch, get proven playbooks, and downloadable templates. Backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee—zero risk, high impact.

Learn More