New CPD-Accredited Certificate Course Covers MSA, Gage R&R, and the Statistical Tools Needed to Validate Measurement Accuracy in Manufacturing and Regulated Industries
Every quality decision — whether to pass or fail a product, adjust a process, or accept a batch from a supplier — depends on one assumption: that the measurements driving that decision are reliable. It is an assumption that is far more often wrong than quality teams realise. Measurement system variation can quietly inflate observed process variation, cause good product to be rejected and defective product to be passed, and undermine the validity of SPC charts, capability studies, and process improvement work built on flawed data. Major quality standards including ISO 9001:2015 and IATF 16949:2016 require organisations to demonstrate that their measurement equipment is fit for purpose — and Measurement Systems Analysis, anchored by the Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility study, is the globally recognised methodology for doing so.
Alison, one of the world's largest free online learning platforms, is responding with the launch of its new Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) and Gage R&R course. Free, CPD-accredited, and pitched at Intermediate level, the course gives quality professionals the statistical grounding and practical skills to plan, conduct, and evaluate MSA studies — and to know with confidence whether their measurement systems can be trusted.
Understanding What Measurement Systems Actually Measure
The course opens by establishing what a measurement system is and how its components contribute to the results it produces. Learners distinguish actual process variation from variation introduced by the measurement system itself, and examine the key properties of a sound measurement system: accuracy, range, and stability over time. A particular focus is placed on helping learners understand how measurement error affects the reliability of quality decisions — the conceptual foundation on which all MSA work rests.
Planning and Conducting a Gage R&R Study
With the theory established, the course moves into the practical mechanics of an MSA study. Learners plan studies with appropriate items, conditions, and trial structures; arrange measurement order to control bias; and record results consistently. The course covers the two primary sources of measurement system variation — repeatability (within a single operator) and reproducibility (between operators) — alongside part-to-part variation, and teaches learners to calculate Gage R&R results using the methods suited to their situation. Both crossed and nested study structures are addressed, with guidance on when each applies.
Evaluating Results and Driving Improvement
The final section equips learners to interpret what their Gage R&R results actually mean. Using contribution and variation measures, they evaluate whether a measurement system meets the standards required for its intended use, and review the impact of improvements by comparing measurement results before and after changes are made — closing the loop between analysis and action.
Expert Review by an Experienced Quality Engineer
The Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) and Gage R&R course was reviewed by Eve, a Quality Engineer with over twelve years of experience in process improvement, statistical analysis, continuous improvement, and product compliance. Certified as a BSI ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 internal auditor, Eve has applied Design of Experiments, SPC, ANOVA, and MSA tools in real-world manufacturing and medical device environments to improve process performance and product quality.
"This course offers an exceptional, in-depth explanation into Measurement Systems Analysis and Gage R&R. By breaking down complex statistical concepts like ANOVA, types of variation, and study structure into clear, accessible content, it is an invaluable resource for any quality professional looking to ensure measurement data integrity."
— Eve, Quality Engineer and BSI ISO 9001/ISO 14001 Internal Auditor
Mike Feerick, Founder and CEO of Alison, said:
"If you can't trust your measurements, you can't trust your decisions. That is the problem MSA exists to solve, and it is one that affects quality teams across manufacturing, medical devices, automotive, and every other regulated sector. This course gives people the tools to answer a question that matters enormously: is my measurement system actually fit for purpose?"
Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA) and Gage R&R is free to access and CPD-accredited, with a certificate available to learners who successfully complete the course. It is suited to quality engineers, quality assurance professionals, Lean Six Sigma practitioners, and anyone working in a regulated environment who needs to validate the reliability of their measurement systems.
Enrol now at: https://alison.com/course/measurement-systems-analysis-msa-and-gage-randr
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About Alison
Alison is a global leader in free online learning and skills development. With over 50 million registered learners across 193 countries (as of October 2025), Alison empowers individuals, communities, and organisations to upskill quickly and effectively – at zero cost.
The Alison platform provides immediate access to over 6,000 free, CPD-accredited courses, covering essential areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Project Management, Business Operations, Healthcare and Sustainability. Courses are created by a mix of independent experts and global leaders, including IBM, Stanford and Microsoft.
For organisations, Alison offers a Free Learning Management System (LMS) that enables unlimited learners to access thousands of courses with no upfront cost. A premium version with advanced analytics and customisation is also available. Alison's offering includes a full suite of assessments and psychometric tools, including a Workplace Personality Assessment, Mental Health & Wellbeing Assessment, English Language Proficiency Test, as well as Numerical, Verbal, and Abstract Reasoning tests.
To further support career development, learners also gain access to a Career Guide, a Resumé Builder, and the ability to study offline through the Alison App. The platform is also expanding its reach with multilingual versions, starting with complete Spanish, French, and Hindi offerings — reaffirming its mission to make education accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Founded in 2007, Alison pioneered the concept of free, large-scale online learning and is recognised as the world’s first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) platform. Today, its mission continues: to break down barriers to learning, helping people gain skills, build confidence, and improve their lives — no matter where they live or what they earn.
