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The Cp index is used to summarize a system’s ability to meet two-sided specification limits (upper and lower). Like Cpk, it uses estimated sigma and, therefore, shows the system’s potential to meet the specifications. However, it ignores the process average and focuses on the spread. If the system is not centered within the specifications, Cp alone may be misleading.
The higher the Cp value, the smaller the spread of the system’s output. Cp is a measure of spread only. A process with a narrow spread (a high Cp) may not meet customer needs if it is not centered within the specifications.
If the system is centered on its target value, Cp should be used in conjunction with Cpk to account for both spread and centering. Cp and Cpk will be equal when the process is centered on its target value. If they are not equal, the smaller the difference between these indices, the more centered the process is.
See also: >> How do I compare the Cp/Pp and Cpk/Ppk? >> Cpk >> Cr >> Cpm >> Ppk >> Pp >> Pr >> Capability indices