ABSTRACT
The Nelson funnel experiment was devised to illustrate what will happen if people react to individual results in a stable process.
Unfortunately, the equipment it requires, a funnel, stand, and marble, makes it slow and cumbersome to execute in a classroom. What follows is an alternate method to teach the same lessons, devised during a control chart theory and practice course by a foreman at the Boyne Island Aluminium Smelter in Queensland. It is quick and effective and has the advantage of involving everyone in attendance at a course or seminar. To conduct the experiment, each person or syndicate group will need four sheets of paper and a felt tip pen. A small whiteboard marker works well.
