Morehouse Instrument Company - The Force in Calibration since 1925
Decision Rules Guidance
IndySoft E = mc³ Solutions
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Inputs

Derived

Tolerance T (B9)-
TUR / Cm (B17)-
GB multiplier r (B15)-
GB width w (B16)-
Acceptance upper AL (B20)-
Acceptance lower AL (B21)-
Decision (B26)-
pc at AL (B28)-
Process Yield, ITP (B37)-
Cpk (B38)-
Worst-case specific risk (B39)-

Specific Risk Detail (at measured value)

P(true > Tu | xm) (B71)-
P(true < Tl | xm) (B72)-
Total Specific PFA (B73)-
Category (B74)-
Usable Spec Range % (B79)-

Guard-Band Width by Method (k=2 U)

Decision RuleGB Width (w)Accept ±
1. Simple Acceptance--
2. Specific Risk--
3. ILAC G8 (95%)--
4. Dobbert M6--
5. RSS / M5--
6. Fixed 0.98xU--
7. k=2 Subtraction--

Worked Example - UKAS LAB 48: Why Simple Acceptance is Problematic

Measured ValueU (k=2)Simple Accept?Specific PFARisk Level3-Outcome Verdict

PFA Sensitivity by TUR

TURPFA at x=0.9 T (Simple)Max PFADobbert M6 GB WidthGB vanishes?

Conformance Probability → Guard-Band Multiplier

r = NORM.S.INV(pc) / 2, applied as AL = TL − r × U95.

Conf. Probability (pc)Max Risk per SideGB Multiplier (r)

Bias Impact Analysis

Illustrative scenario: known bias = |NV − xm|, DUT reading = NV + 0.8 T. Same equipment and TUR, with vs without correcting the bias.

QuantityWithout Bias CorrectionWith Bias Correction
Known Bias-n/a
DUT Reading (uncorrected)-n/a
Measurement Error--
TUR--
LSL--
USL--
Corrected Measured Value--
PFA (Lower Limit)--
PFA (Upper Limit)--
Total PFA--
Decision (Simple Acceptance)--
Decision (2.5 % Guard Banded)--
PFA reduction from bias correction-n/a

PFA Calculation for an Entire Loading Range

Instrument Readings (editable)

AppliedReading 1Reading 2Reading 3Reading 4Reading 5Avg

Method 5 (RSS / Z540.3) - per-reading PFA & acceptance

AppliedAvgReq TolLSLUSLU (k=2)TURPFA TotalAccept ±Pass/Fail

Method 6 (Dobbert managed guard band)

AppliedAvgDobbert MAccept ±LowerUpperPass/Fail

Method 6 acceptance limit: A2% = L - U95% x [1.04 - e^(0.38 ln(TUR) - 0.54)]

Difference in Acceptance Limits - Method 5 vs Method 6

AppliedAvgM6 Accept ±M6 P/FM5 Accept ±M5 P/F% Diff in AL

Metrology Cost Model - Production Inputs

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-

Equipment Comparison (guard band sized to the PFA target)

EquipmentPrice ($)1σ Unc.TURGlobal PFRGlobal PFAFalsely Rej.Falsely Acc.FR Cost ($)FA Cost ($)Total Risk ($)

Total Cost Analysis

EquipmentEquip CostProduction CostFalse Reject CostFalse Accept CostTotal CostBudget vs BaselinePayback (days)

Cumulative Total Cost Over Time

DMMAnnual Op. CostEquip. CostYear 1Year 2Year 3Year 4Year 5Year 7Year 10

Sample Size Determination

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Calibration History (Clopper-Pearson exact)

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-
-
-
-

Sample Size for Zero Failures (n = ⌈ln(1−conf)/ln(reliability)⌉)

Target EOPR80 % Conf.90 % Conf.95 % Conf.99 % Conf.

EOPR Sensitivity (point estimate = 1 − c/n)

Failures ↓ / n →5102050100

Coverage Factor (k) Reference - Normal Distribution

kCoverage ProbabilityTarget Coveragek for target

Decision Rules & Statements of Conformity

Simplified guidance for calibration laboratories - ISO/IEC 17025:2017, UKAS LAB 48, ILAC-G8:09/2019, JCGM 106:2012.

1. Key Definitions

TermDefinitionSource
Decision RuleA rule describing how measurement uncertainty is accounted for when stating conformity with a specified requirement.ISO 17025, Cl. 3.7
Guard Band (w)An interval between a tolerance limit (TL) and a corresponding acceptance limit (AL), used as a buffer for measurement uncertainty. w = |TL - AL|.ILAC-G8:09/2019
Tolerance Limit (TL)The specified upper or lower bound of permissible values (the specification limit).ILAC-G8:09/2019
Acceptance Limit (AL)The specified bound of permissible measured values after applying a guard band.ILAC-G8:09/2019
PFAProbability of False Accept - a non-conforming item is accepted (consumer's risk).JCGM 106:2012
PFRProbability of False Reject - a conforming item is rejected (producer's risk).JCGM 106:2012
TURTest Uncertainty Ratio = Tolerance / Expanded Measurement Uncertainty. TUR = T / (2u).ANSI Z540.3
Simple AcceptanceAL = TL (no guard band). Carries significant PFA near limits; must be paired with a TUR or U constraint to satisfy Cl. 3.7.ILAC-G8, Def. 1.9

2. ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Requirements

ClauseRequirementKey Implication
3.7 - DefinitionA decision rule describes how measurement uncertainty is accounted for; any conformity statement must be accompanied by a defined decision rule.No uncertainty = no metrological traceability
7.1.3 - Customer AgreementThe specification, standard, and decision rule shall be clearly defined and, unless inherent in the specification, agreed with the customer.Proactive communication before measurement
7.8.6.1 - Documentation & RiskDocument the decision rule employed, taking into account the level of risk (PFA, PFR, statistical assumptions).Must document risk level, not just pass/fail
7.8.6.2 - ReportingThe certificate identifies: (a) which results the statement applies to, (b) which specs met/not met, (c) the decision rule applied.All three elements on every certificate

3. Decision Rule Comparison - Core Approaches + Variants

Decision RuleGuard Band FormulaRisk FrameworkTarget RiskReference
1. Simple Acceptance (Shared Risk)GB = 0 (AL = TL)Neither - risk ignoredNone (shared)ASME B89.7.3.1; ILAC-G8 6.1
2. Specific Risk Guard BandAL = TL - (GB_mult x U); GB_mult = NORM.S.INV(1-risk)/2Specific (conditional)≤ 2.5 % PFA per sideILAC-G8; JCGM 106
3. ILAC G8 (95 %, bilateral)w = u x 1.96Specific (conditional)Pc ≥ 98 %ILAC-G8; ISO 14253-1
4. Dobbert Method 6 (Z540.3)GB = U x M(TUR); M = max(0, 1.04-e^(0.38 ln(TUR)-0.54))Global (unconditional)PFA ≤ 2 %ANSI/NCSL Z540.3
5. RSS / Method 5 (Z540.3)GB = U x TUR x (1 - √(1 - 1/TUR²))Global (unconditional)PFA ≤ 2 %ANSI/NCSL Z540.3
6. Fixed 0.98 x U Guard BandGB = 0.98 x USpecific-equivalent (fixed)Conservative (pc ≈ 0.975)ILAC-G8 (simplified)
7. k=2 Subtraction (AL = T - U)GB = UProducer-biasedConservativeMIL-STD-45662A

4. Non-Binary Decision Rules (3-Outcome Model)

OutcomeConditionSpecific PFAAction
PASSMeasured value within acceptance limits (AL)≤ agreed threshold (e.g. 2.5 %)State conformity with confidence
POSSIBLE PASSWithin tolerance (TL) but outside acceptance (AL)> threshold but < 50 %Report MV, U, calculated PFA; customer decides
FAILSpecific PFA ≥ 50 %, or outside TL by more than U≥ 50 %State non-conformity

9. Sizing Rules & Quick Math (DRG V1.42)

Rule of thumb: at shared risk (no guard band), TUR ≥ 4.6:1 keeps PFA ≤ 2 % (program-level). Required U = Tolerance / 4.6.

Device Tolerance (T)Required U (k=2)Resulting TURGlobal Risk
0.0001-4.6 : 1PFA ≤ 2 %
0.0005-4.6 : 1PFA ≤ 2 %
0.001-4.6 : 1PFA ≤ 2 %
0.005-4.6 : 1PFA ≤ 2 %
0.01-4.6 : 1PFA ≤ 2 %
→ Required U (k=2): -

10. Decision Rule Selection Framework

"Start With the End in Mind" - work backward from the risk target to the equipment:

StepAction
ASet the risk target and decision rule (e.g. PFA ≤ 2 %); state it on POs and calibration instructions.
BConvert the risk target to required capability (TUR ≥ 4.6:1 at shared risk, or EOPR ≥ 89 %).
CTranslate capability to equipment and provider requirements (U_exp ≤ Tolerance / 4.6).
DValidate with reliability data and control charts; see the Reliability tab for EOPR estimation.

12. Five Rules to Reduce Measurement Risk

#Rule
1Know the Right Requirements - engage metrology before purchase.
2Use the Right Equipment - match CMC and traceability to tolerance; look beyond sticker price.
3Follow the Right Processes - training, adapters, environment, SOPs.
4Check Your Work - checklists, cross-checks, measurement assurance.
5Stay Vigilant - SPC charts, interval review, reliability tracking.

References: ISO/IEC 17025:2017 - UKAS LAB 48 - ILAC-G8:09/2019 - JCGM 106:2012 - ANSI/NCSL Z540.3 - ASME B89.7.3.1 / B89.7.4.1 - ISO 14253-1 - Decision Rule Guidance (Morehouse) V1.42. Morehouse Instrument Company - www.mhforce.com

JCGM 106:2012 Formula Validation

The app's engine benchmarked against JCGM 106:2012 worked examples. The full 182k-cell workbook grid (incl. 40,000 Halton NORM.S.INV samples) is validated headlessly; this tab shows the headline checks.

Table 1 - Resistor Example (Global Consumer & Producer Risk)

JCGM 106 9.5.3: TU=1500.2, TL=1499.8, u=0.04, u₀=0.12, AU=1500.18, AL=1499.82.

QuantityEngine (BVN)Exact analyticJCGM publishedΔ (engine-exact)Status
Global consumer risk RC (PFA)--1.0 %--
Global producer risk RP (PFR)--6.9 %--

Identity Checks (closed form)

QuantityComputedΔStatus
Cm = (TU-TL)/(4u)---
Cp = (TU-TL)/(6u₀)---
Guard-band mult r = (TU-AU)/(2u)---
Specific-risk Pc (eq.14, two-sided)---

Engine Identity vs Risk Calc & Curves

QuantityEngine valueRecomputedΔStatus
Half-width T = (TU-TL)/2----
TUR = T/(2u)----
1-ITP at xm----

Guard-Band Width vs TUR (T=10 reference)

TURu = T/(2·TUR)U = 2u0.98·UAcceptance frac.Spec PFA @ AU

About This Tool

Standalone, single-file web port of the Decision Rules Guidance Worksheets For Web workbook. Every shown value matches the workbook cell to the IEEE-754 floor (HARD ≤ 1e-12 relative; exact for integer/rational; character-identical for TEXT). One math engine on window.DRG; the UI computes nothing.

Explore Further

Workbook Metadata

Reference workbookDecision Rules Guidance Worksheets For Web .xlsx
App versionV1.6
AuthorsHenry Zumbrun - Morehouse Instrument Company · Greg Cenker - IndySoft · Dilip Shah - E = mc3 Solutions
Web portHarrison Zumbrun - Morehouse Instrument Company
StandardsISO/IEC 17025:2017 · ILAC-G8:09/2019 · JCGM 106:2012 · ANSI/NCSL Z540.3

Changes Log

RevDateAuthorSectionsSummary
V1.62026-06-10Harrison ZumbrunAuthorship; E = mc3 SolutionsAdded Dilip Shah - E = mc3 Solutions to the workbook authors: logo in the letterhead and share card, credit in Workbook Metadata and the validation report. No calculation changes.
V1.52026-06-10Harrison ZumbrunSEO head; share cardAdded the SEO head block: canonical URL, meta description, Open Graph tags, a descriptive page title, and a favicon (Morehouse compass mark, inlined). No calculation changes.
V1.4.22026-06-10Harrison ZumbrunCSV templates; italic kAdded Download CSV Template buttons next to the Method readings and Cost equipment importers - each template is pre-filled from the current inputs in exactly the format the importer parses, so it round-trips losslessly. Italicized the remaining upright k in the Guard-Band Width by Method (k=2 U) heading. No calculation changes.
V1.4.12026-06-10Harrison ZumbrunCharts on mobile; italic kCharts now keep a sensible height at every viewport (fixed-height responsive containers with maintainAspectRatio:false - previously the aspect ratio locked at first render and collapsed the charts to ~40 px tall on phones, in every browser). Coverage-factor k italicized everywhere it appears as a symbol (k-value column, Method summaries, the k=2 Subtraction rows, Changes Log). No calculation changes.
V1.42026-06-10Harrison ZumbrunMobile layoutResponsive fixes for phones: the letterhead wraps (logos centered on one row, title beneath; long subtitle hidden), logos scale down, tab pills and table type tighten, inputs narrow, the guide banner goes full-width, and wide tables scroll horizontally inside their cards instead of stretching the page. No calculation changes.
V1.3.12026-06-10Harrison ZumbrunGuide banner correctionThe toolbar banner and the top Explore Further entry now link the Decision Rule Guidance document (the companion guide behind this tool); Start With the End in Mind remains listed as an additional resource. No calculation changes.
V1.32026-06-10Harrison ZumbrunAbout; resources; guide bannerAbout This Tool: removed the EndInMind cross-reference and added an Explore Further section (Start With the End in Mind guide, the Quality Magazine decision-rules article, the free Force Calibration eBook, and the Morehouse technical blog). Added a site-wide banner in the toolbar linking the Start With the End in Mind guide. No calculation changes.
V1.22026-06-10Harrison ZumbrunUI; authorshipMoved the title and subtitle into the letterhead, centered between the Morehouse and IndySoft logos; the navigation is now a full-width green strip. Fixed table header/column misalignment on all results tables (the table class name collided with Tailwind's .grid utility, which set display:grid; display:table restored). Workbook authorship corrected: authors Henry Zumbrun (Morehouse Instrument Company) and Greg Cenker (IndySoft); web port by Harrison Zumbrun (Morehouse Instrument Company). No calculation changes.
V1.12026-06-10Harrison ZumbrunRisk Calc sheet complete; tab scenario gatesPorted the last Risk Calc regions: the specific-risk chart scaffolding (D2:E82 measurement-pdf grid, R/S product pdfs, TL/TU/NV/AL markers, P/Q TEXT labels) rendered as a new Specific Risk chart, and the UKAS LAB 48 worked-example table (exact strings incl. the workbook's verdict glyphs). Risk Calc Layer 2 now 957 cells, 593 bit-identical. Added Excel-COM alternate-input scenario gates for Method/Cost/Reliability (layer2_excel_scenarios_tabs.py): 11 scenarios, 2,588 cells, zero failures.
V1.0.12026-06-10Harrison ZumbrunSingle-sourcing; verifier passTwo-independent-verifier adversarial pass (both PASS; each tab's gate confirmed to catch a 1 % corruption). Routed the two UI Dobbert-M sites that match the engine formula through E.dobbertM() (bit-identical; Method 6 keeps its distinct clamped-TUR/no-max variant, documented). Tightened the check_engine.js smoke floor to 1e-12.
V1.02026-06-09Harrison ZumbrunIO layer; all tabs completeAdded the import/export/session layer: per-tab CSV export, CSV import for the Method reading grid and Cost equipment list, session JSON save/load, continuous localStorage autosave, and chart PNG export (graceful offline fallback). Validated by validators/test_io.py (12/12). All six workbook tabs now ported and exactly validated.
V0.92026-06-09Harrison ZumbrunJCGM 106 ValidationPorted the JCGM 106 Validation report tab: the resistor worked-example global risk (PFA_L/PFR_L vs exact analytic vs JCGM published), identity checks, specific-risk example, engine-vs-Risk-Calc identity, and the guard-band-width-vs-TUR risk-curve table. Layer 2 (layer2_jcgm.py): 81 cells, 70 numeric within 1e-12 + 11 string-exact, 69 bit-identical. The 40,000 Halton NORM.S.INV grid samples are covered by Layer 0.
V0.82026-06-09Harrison ZumbrunGuidance SummaryPorted the Guidance Summary reference tab: definitions, ISO 17025 requirements, the 7-method decision-rule comparison, the 3-outcome model, the sizing-rules table with the Required-U = Tolerance/4.6 formulas + custom-sizing input, the selection framework, and the five rules. Layer 2 (layer2_guidance.py): 6/6 sizing cells bit-exact.
V0.72026-06-09Harrison ZumbrunReliabilityPorted the Reliability tab: zero-failure sample size (CEILING(ln(1-conf)/ln(reliability))), Clopper-Pearson exact bounds (BETA.INV), observed EOPR / failure rate, additional-samples-needed (AdditionalSamplesNeeded), the zero-failure reference grid, the EOPR sensitivity grid, and the coverage-factor k table. Layer 2 (layer2_reliability.py): 74 cells, all within 1e-12, 65 bit-identical.
V0.62026-06-09Harrison ZumbrunCost ModelPorted the Cost Model tab: production inputs, the 7-DMM equipment comparison (guard band sized by PFA_GB_SOLVER_ASYM to the PFA target, global PFA/PFR via PFA_L/PFR_L, ROUND-based false-reject/accept costs), total-cost analysis with budget-vs-baseline and payback, key-insight figures, and cumulative-cost projections. Layer 2 (layer2_cost.py): 192 cells, 173 numeric within 1e-12 + 19 string-exact, 161 bit-identical; the guard-band bisection solver reproduced exactly.
V0.52026-06-09Harrison ZumbrunMethod 5 & 6 & TLPorted the full Method 5 & 6 & TL tab: config + editable 10-point reading grid, per-reading Method 5 (RSS, NORM.INV acceptance) and Method 6 (Dobbert, TUR clamped to 4) tables with summaries, the M5-vs-M6 comparison, and the inlined Method-6 acceptance-limit diagram. Layer 2 (layer2_methods.py): 429 cells, 389 numeric within 1e-12 + 40 string-exact, 374 bit-identical.
V0.42026-06-09Harrison ZumbrunRisk Calc - methods/sensitivity/reference/biasAdded the 7-method Accept-± column, the PFA sensitivity-by-TUR table, the conformance→guard-band-multiplier reference table, and the bias-impact analysis block (all derived from the main inputs). Layer 2 extended to 592 cells, all within 1e-12, 353 bit-identical.
V0.32026-06-09Harrison ZumbrunRisk Calc - curves & chartsWired the distribution chart-data arrays (A92:A171 product/measurement/biased pdfs) and the Global Risk Curves (PFA vs ITP at TUR 1:1-4.6:1 via PFA_SYMMETRIC); rendered both with Chart.js (graceful offline). Layer 2 extended to 460 cells (44 scalar + 416 array), all within 1e-12, 244 bit-identical.
V0.22026-06-09Harrison ZumbrunBrandingAdded the Morehouse and IndySoft logos (extracted from the workbook) as an inlined base64 letterhead in the app header, matching the spreadsheet's top-of-sheet placement.
V0.12026-06-09Harrison ZumbrunEngine, Risk Calc corev1 scaffold: single-sourced engine on window.DRG (Cephes-grade normal CDF/inverse, incomplete-beta inverse, both bivariate-normal quadratures, the 11 reachable LAMBDAs, Excel-faithful ROUND/INT/CEILING/TEXT); Risk Calc & Curves scalar calculator wired with cell-keyed instrumentation.

Web Port Notes

ItemWeb appWorkbookAgreement
Standard normal CDFHart/West cumulative normalNORM.S.DIST / NORM.DIST≤ 1e-12 (Excel is true-accurate; Layer 0)
Inverse normalAcklam + Halley refinementNORM.S.INV / NORM.INVbit-identical on tested cells (Layer 0)
Inverse incomplete betaNumerical-Recipes incbiBETA.INVbit-identical on tested cells (Layer 0)
Bivariate normal CDFsame Genz 6-pt & 5-term split LAMBDAs, ported op-for-opBIVARIATE_NORMCDF / BIVARalgorithm-identical