Contour Plot

A Contour Plot is used to determine where a maximum or minimum response is expected. Contour Plots are especially useful for situations where a maximum or minimum response is expected within or close to the data range. Because contours can only involve two factors, the appearance of contour plots using different factors can vary widely.

A contour plot is made up of curves, each having a constant value of a fitted response. The curves have equally spaced values of the response.

Example Contour Plot for first-order model with interaction (from Six Sigma DeMYSTiFieD (2011 McGraw-Hill) by Paul Keller

Example Contour Plot for second-order model (from Six Sigma DeMYSTiFieD (2011 McGraw-Hill) by Paul Keller

Learn more about the DOE tools for designed experiments in Six Sigma Demystified (2011, McGraw-Hill) by Paul Keller, in his online Intro. to DOE short course (only $99) or online Advanced Topics in DOE short course (only $139), or his online Black Belt certification training course ($875).