Tuesday, May 7  |  8am-4pm

Topics

• Overview of quality function deployment (QFD), control charts, and action standards

• Applying quality control ideas to create an optimal internal sensory program

• Sensory quality assurance

• Review of discrimination testing methods

• A reliable approach to estimate the size of sensory differences: The Thurstonian framework

• Perception variability and a psychological decision process

• Increasing testing efficiency: The tetrad test (requires 1/3 the sample size of the triangle test)

Examples

• Quality assurance in practice: Acceptable and rejectable quality levels, alpha, and beta risks

• Ingredient change dilemma: Different methodologies lead to different conclusions

• Review of 15 published experiments confirming scaling theory

• Resolving the differential performance paradox using Thurstonian ideas

Group Exercises

• Use the binomial test to establish a difference

• Estimate values from experimental data: Which of two prototypes is more similar to a reference? Reconcile apparently inconsistent results

• Predict relative method performances with computer generated simulations

Wednesday, May 8  |  8am-4pm

Topics

• A risk management approach to sensory quality assurance

• Best practices in replicated testing

• The 5 cornerstones of product testing: alpha, power, sample size, size of the difference, and protocol

• Establishing a sensory action standard using the same-different method

• Relating internal panel to consumer data to ensure the consumer relevance of an action standard

• Using confidence intervals to establish difference or equivalence

• Consumer relevant confidence: How statistical significance can result in missed opportunities

Examples

• Confirming the value of using the tetrad method with children

• Replicated testing: Expected variability from 50 industrial results

• Applying risk management ideas to a major food company’s sensory program

• Sensory action standard: Same-different vs. paired preference estimates

• Linking a trained panel and consumer sensitivities for ice cream testing

Group Exercises

• Calculate optimal experiment samples sizes based on study specifications

• Find the sensory action standard using the same-different method

• Establish the optimal sample size for a discrimination testing program based on the methodology, alpha, power, and the consumer relevant sensory standard

• Study the relevance of a difference by comparing experimental results to the sensory standard

Thursday, May 9  |  8am-4pm

Topics

• A conceptual framework for new product innovation

• Unfolding using Landscape Segmentation Analysis® (LSA)

• Segmentation based on individual ideals and connecting them to demographics

• LSA vs. factor analysis: The issue of dimensionality

• LSA vs. internal preference mapping (IPM): Accounting for individual ideals

• LSA vs. external preference mapping (EPM): Finding a space relevant to the consumer

• 2D vs. 3D solution: How to choose

• How to predict new product performance using a preexisting LSA solution

• Portfolio optimization – finding the best team of products in a portfolio

Examples

• Identifying drivers of consumer acceptability using factor analysis

• External preference mapping of 10 brands of low fat chocolate chip cookies

• 27 grocery product category appraisals comparing LSA and internal preference mapping

• Three issues in the beer market addressed using LSA

• Blind-branded LSA and determining concept equity vs. product equity

Group Exercises

• Unfold liking data to generate a sensory space defined by attributes driving liking

• Study and qualify consumer segmentation

• Uncover a product category’s drivers of liking

• Predict prototype locations in a previously generated LSA

• Find an optimal portfolio by optimizing liking