Design of Experiments (DOE) is a proven tool for optimizing processes, enhancing product quality, and driving innovation across industries. Yet many companies hesitate to adopt it. I often hear that DOE is too complex, too time-consuming, or too expensive.
But is it really?
In my experience, the answer is no. Modern advancements in optimal experimental design and software have made DOE accessible and affordable, even for organizations with limited budgets. With the right tools, any business can harness the power of DOE to experiment smarter and make better data-driven decisions.
This article is the first in a series where I will share practical insights on how organizations can apply DOE effectively.
Smarter Testing
A common misconception about DOE is that it requires testing every possible combination of input variables. For many companies, that sounds daunting and costly.
Fortunately, that is not how modern DOE works.
Today, we use optimal experimental design, which strategically selects a limited number of input combinations to maximize efficiency and learning. Experiments are tailored to your specific needs, constraints, and goals. This ensures that relevant data is collected without wasting time or resources. Infeasible combinations can be avoided from the start, making the process practical and results-driven.
Even companies with limited resources can effectively use DOE by selecting the tools and techniques that match their goals.
Solving Complex Problems
Another key advantage of DOE is its ability to test multiple inputs simultaneously. Traditional “one factor at a time” experimentation is slow and often misses important interactions between inputs.
DOE makes testing faster and far more efficient, especially when dealing with complex systems. It allows you to understand how inputs influence one another and how their combined effects drive the overall outcome.
After conducting a designed experiment, statistical analysis reveals how inputs work together. For example, when Kellogg’s sought to reduce fat content and production costs for Pringles, DOE enabled the team to test multiple alternative recipes at once, each differing in several ingredients. The result was a leaner recipe without compromising quality.
This is the strength of DOE: it uncovers relationships that would otherwise remain hidden.
Technology Makes DOE Accessible
Technological advancements have significantly lowered the barriers to adopting DOE. What was once reserved for large organizations with specialized infrastructure is now available to businesses of all sizes.
Modern experimental design platforms, now part of Minitab’s expanded portfolio, provide cost-effective ways to conduct complex experiments without requiring custom systems. These solutions are flexible and scalable, allowing users to design anything from small-scale tests to highly sophisticated studies tailored to their needs.
In addition, integrated statistical analysis tools make it easier than ever to move from design to insight in one connected workflow.
Simply put, today’s technology makes DOE more accessible, affordable, and easier to implement than ever before.
Embrace the Efficiency of DOE
For organizations seeking to innovate, optimize processes, and make confident decisions, DOE remains one of the most powerful methodologies available.
Advances in optimal design, simultaneous input testing, and modern analytics platforms have made DOE practical for companies of all sizes. By embracing this approach, you can address complex challenges with precision, reduce costly trial and error, and create a culture of structured experimentation.
Innovation DOEs not have to be expensive or risky. With a strategic and efficient approach to experimentation, it becomes achievable and repeatable.
In the next article in this series, I will explore how organizations can get started with DOE in a way that aligns with their specific constraints and objectives.
Talk to a Minitab expert to see how DOE can help you test smarter and innovate faster.
