Genetic algorithms-based design and optimization of statistical quality-control procedures.

In general, one cannot use algebraic or enumerative methods to optimize a quality-control (QC) procedure for detecting the total allowable analytical error with a stated probability with the minimum probability for false rejection. Genetic algorithms (GAs) offer an alternative, as they do not require knowledge of the objective function to be optimized and can search through large parameter spaces quickly. To explore the application of GAs in statistical QC, I developed two interactive computer programs based on the deterministic crowding genetic algorithm. Given an analytical process, the program "Optimize" optimizes a user-defined QC procedure, whereas the program "Design" designs a novel optimized QC procedure. The programs search through the parameter space and find the optimal or near-optimal solution. The possible solutions of the optimization problem are evaluated with computer simulation.