An M&M Exercise to Apply Quality Control Tools and Reduce Process Variation
Michael Stodnick and Richard J. Miller
University of Dallas, USA
Volume 14: 2020, pp. 113-128; ABSTRACT
Experiential learning exercises continue to be adopted with increased frequency into operations management classrooms. The benefits of well-designed exercises include increased student engagement, motivation and learning. This paper builds upon previous research and experiential applications to create a comprehensive quality control game that simultaneously incorporates some of the most common quality control tools. These tools include statistical process control charts (x-bar, r, c and p), variance reduction techniques, plan-do-check-act (PDCA) and hypothesis testing. We are able to use a single context and game to show how all these tools can be used in conjunction with each other. The particular game this research uses has students throwing fun sized bags of M&M candies towards a target. The game uses structured problem solving to not only demonstrate how to execute these common quality control tools with real data but also helps broaden the general discussion around these topics.
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