What is DOE?

Design of Experiments Basics for Beginners 12/21/19, 1'10 PM

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August 9, 2018
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What is DOE? Design of Experiments Basics for Beginners 12/21/19, 1'10 PM

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The trending role of

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In order to understand why Design of Experiments is so valuable, it may be
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approach. The COST (Change One Separate factor at a Time) approach might be
considered an intuitive or even logical way to approach your experimentation
options (until, that is, you have been exposed to the ideas and thinking of DOE). View the:

Let’s consider the example of a small chemical reaction where the goal is to find Data Analytics Glossary of Terms
optimal conditions for yield. In this example, we can vary only two elements, or
List of Webinars
factors:

1. the volume of the reaction container (between 500 and 700 ml), and Get a free trial
2. the pH of the solution (between 2.5 and 5).

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What is DOE? Design of Experiments Basics for Beginners 12/21/19, 1'10 PM

We change the experimental factors and measure the response outcome, which
in this case, is the yield of the desired product. Using the COST approach, we
can vary just one of the factors at time to see what affect it has on the yield.

So, for example, first we might fix the pH at 3, and change the volume of the
reaction container from a low setting of 500ml to a high of 700ml. From that we
can measure the yield.

Below is an example of a table that shows the yield that was obtained when
changing the volume from 500 to 700 ml. In the scatterplot on the right, we have
plotted the measured yield against the change in reaction volume, and it doesn’t
take long to see that the best volume is located at 550 ml.

Next, we evaluate what will happen when we fix the volume at 550 ml (the
optimal level) and start to change the second factor. In this second experimental
series, the pH is changed from 2.5 to 5.0 and you can see the measured yields.
These are listed in the table and plotted below. From this we can see that the
optimal pH is around 4.5.

The optimal combination for the best yield would be a volume of 550 ml and pH
4.5. Sounds good right? But, let’s consider this a bit more.

Gaining a better perspective with DOE

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What is DOE? Design of Experiments Basics for Beginners 12/21/19, 1'10 PM

What happens when we take more of a bird’s eye perspective, and look at the
overall experimental map by number and order of experiments?

For example, in the first experimental series (indicated on the horizontal axis
below), we moved the experimental settings from left to right, and we found out
that 550 was the optimal volume.

Then in the second experimental series, we moved from bottom to top (as shown
in the scatterplot below) and after a while we found out that the best yield was at
experiment number 10 (4.5 pH).

The problem here is that we are not really certain whether the experimental point
number 10 is truly the best one. The risk is that we have perceived that as being
the optimum without it really being the case. Another thing we may question is
the number of experiments we used. Have we used the optimal number of runs
for experiments?

Zooming out and picturing what we have done on a map, we can see that we
have only been exploiting a very small part of the entire experimental space. The
true relationship between pH and volume is represented by the Contour Plot
pictured below. We can see that the optimal value would be somewhere at the
top in the larger red area.

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What is DOE? Design of Experiments Basics for Beginners 12/21/19, 1'10 PM

So the problem with the COST approach is that we can get very different
implications if we choose other starting points. We perceive that the optimum
was found, but the other— and perhaps more problematic thing—is that we
didn’t realize that continuing to do additional experiments would produce even
higher yields.

How to design better experiments

Instead, using the DOE approach, we can build a map in a much better way.
First, consider the use of just two factors, which would mean that we have a
limited range of experiments. As the contour plot below shows, we would have
at least four experiments (defining the corners of a rectangle.)

These four points can be optimally supplemented by a couple of points

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What is DOE? Design of Experiments Basics for Beginners 12/21/19, 1'10 PM

representing the variation in the interior part of the experimental design.

The important thing here is that when we start to evaluate the result, we will
obtain very valuable information about the direction in which to move for
improving the result. We will understand that we should reposition the
experimental plan according to the dashed arrow.

However, DOE is NOT limited to looking at just two factors. It can be applied to
three, four or many more factors.

If we take the approach of using three factors, the experimental protocol will start
to define a cube rather than a rectangle. So the factorial points will be the
corners of the cube.

In this way, DOE allows you to construct a carefully prepared set of

representative experiments, in which all relevant factors are varied
simultaneously.

DOE is about creating an entity of experiments that work together to map an

interesting experimental region. So with DOE we can prepare a set of
experiments that are optimally placed to bring back as much information as
possible about how the factors are influencing the responses.

Plus, we will we have support for different types of regression models. For
example, we can estimate what we call a linear model, or an interaction model,
or a quadratic model. So the selected experimental plan will support a specific
type of model.

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What is DOE? Design of Experiments Basics for Beginners 12/21/19, 1'10 PM

Why is DOE a better approach?

We can see three main reasons that DOE Is a better approach to experiment
design than the COST approach.

1. DOE suggests the correct number of runs needed (often fewer than used by
the COST approach)

2. DOE provides a model for the direction to follow

3. Many factors can be used (not just two)

In summary, the benefits of DOE are:

An organized approach that connects experiments in a rational manner

The influence of and interactions between all factors can be estimated
More precise information is acquired in fewer experiments
Results are evaluated in the light of variability
Support for decision-marketing: map of the system (response contour plot)

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Design of experiments

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What is DOE? Design of Experiments Basics for Beginners 12/21/19, 1'10 PM

Have a question or comment? Leave it below!

Topics: Design of Experiments (DOE), Process Validation

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Written by Lennart Eriksson

Sr Lecturer and Principal Data Scientist at Sartorius Stedim
Data Analytics

Charles Peterson
11/1/2018, 9:20:30 AM

First pass was interesting. I hope to learn more.

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