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Assuring Measurement Accuracy with Gage R&R

By Grace Barton Updated

Variation is inherent in any system, however excessive variation in the measurement process can provide misleading analysis. This excessive variation may affect your data and appear on control charts as variation in the process, potentially skewing the results and preventing accurate analysis.

Most organizations have a system to calibrate measurement equipment routinely. Just because the measurement system is calibrated, doesn’t mean the data collected is accurate. Collecting data with measurement instruments such as calipers demands the use of repeatability and reproducibility (Gage R&R) tests. 

What is Gage R&R?

Gage R&R is a statistical tool that measures the amount of variation in the measurement system arising from the measurement device and the people taking the measurement. Repeatability is the variation found in a series of measurements that have been taken by one person using one gage to measure one characteristic. Reproducibility represents the variation in a series of measurements that have been taken by different people using the same gage to measure one characteristic of an item.

Why Complete Gage R&R Studies?

R&R studies address two significant causes of variation in measurement systems: gage variability and operator variability.  Gages may be subject to factors such as temperature or magnetic and electrical fields that can affect their accuracy. Operator variability may be caused by different interpretations of a vague operational definition or differences in background, fatigue, or even attitude of operators. Gage R&R tests are critical to assuring consistency and accuracy in the collection of data using measurement equipment.

Grace Barton

Marketing Specialist

About the Author Latest Posts

Grace Barton is a digital marketing and competitive intelligence professional who crafts strategic narratives by bridging marketing insights with analytical expertise. At Advantive, she creates engaging, data-driven content tailored to the distribution, manufacturing, packaging, and quality industries. Her goal is to deliver impactful messaging that drives engagement and growth based on specific gap closure needs, whether responding to sales organization requirements, pinpointing gaps in content, or meeting immediate market trends.
She thrives on transforming competitive intelligence into actionable insights for the sales organization. Grace manages Advantive’s competitive intelligence platform, Klue, to equip the sales team with the battlecards and market data they need to stay ahead of competitors. Since launch, she’s built 28+ battlecards across four lines of business, ensuring the GTM strategy stays sharp.
Grace has a passion for leveraging market insights with storytelling to guide strategic decision-making, empower sales organizations, and nurture organizational growth.

Areas of Expertise: Digital Marketing, Competitive Intelligence, Strategic Narratives, Marketing Insights, Analytical Expertise

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