About ISEA

Statistical engineering is the discipline dedicated to engineering solutions to problems of a statistical nature, particularly to large, complex, and unstructured problems. The objectives of ISEA are to advance the theory and practice of statistical engineering, including its insertion into academic curricula, and to enhance the professional qualifications and standing among its members. These high-level objectives of ISEA are intended to encompass the following:

• To promote unity, effectiveness of effort and ethical professional conduct among those who devote themselves to the theory and practice of statistical engineering.
• To provide for the creation of conferences, conventions and other meetings of its members for the exchange of ideas and experiences in the development, application, and use of statistical engineering principles.
• To create and disseminate a body of knowledge for statistical engineering.
• To facilitate the proper inclusion of statistical engineering in statistical and other professional publications, including textbooks.

Vision

A world that relies on statistical engineering to solve complex unstructured problems.

Mission

To be the voice for statistical engineering, serving as a catalyst to drive sustainable results and impact by integrating multiple disciplines through the scientific method.

Values

ISEA is a diverse community sharing a passion for the theory and practice of capturing big opportunities requiring integration of multiple methods. The following values are therefore non-negotiable for us, and need to be incorporated into all our activities and decisions.

1. Leadership: we want to take risks on novel initiatives rather than providing “me too” products and services.
2. Focus: we want to do one thing (pursue the ISEA mission) with excellence rather than ten things with mediocrity.
3. A “big tent”: we strive to be truly international and cross-disciplinary.
4. Systems thinking: our emphasis is on innovation, improvement, and solving problems, rather than on individual tools, no matter how powerful these tools might be.
5. Diversity of thought: we believe it is possible to have diversity of thought and still have unity in action.
6. Integration of theory and practice: we view these as two parts of an inseparable whole, rather than as competing priorities.
7. Community: we realize that long term success ultimately depends on enabling people to work together as equals on exciting initiatives - while enjoying it. Big egos need not apply.

2020 Goals

The ISEA leadership has identified four major goals for 2020:

1. Reach more people with our products and services, such as the Handbook of Statistical Engineering and the ISEA Summit.
2. Enhance our presence in the technical community
3. Increase membership, including organizational membership
4. Enhance our financial position

2020 Initiatives

In order to achieve these goals, we plan to focus on the following initiatives:

1. Complete and publish case studies illustrating the unique aspects of statistical engineering, and include these in the Handbook of Statistical Engineering. Martha Gardner (GE ) is leading the Case Studies Committee that is working on this.
2. Complete the rest of the Handbook of Statistical Engineering. Roger Hoerl (Union College) and Geoff Vining (Virginia Tech) are continuing to lead this effort.
3. Hold our signature meeting, the ISEA Summit, as a stand-alone conference (the past two years it was held in conjunction with the Fall Technical Conference). Geoff Vining is leading the Summit planning committee.
4. Do a better job of understanding and meeting the needs of potential communities that could benefit from statistical engineering, including analysts and engineers in defense and aerospace, non-clinical statisticians in pharma, academics, statisticians in consumer products companies, and statisticians interested in reliability.
5. Better marketing of everything we do. Shari Kraber (Stat-Ease) is leading our marketing efforts.