Wikipedia : The Seven Basic Tools of Quality is a designation given to a fixed set of graphical techniques identified as being most helpful in troubleshooting issues related to quality. They are called basic because they are suitable for people with little formal training in statistics and because they can be used to solve the vast majority of quality-related issues.
The seven tools are:
1. Cause and Effect Diagram / Fishbone / Ishikawa
Wikipedia :
are causal diagrams created by Kaoru Ishikawa (1968) that show the causes of a specific event. Common uses of the Ishikawa diagram are product design and quality defect prevention, to identify potential factors causing an overall effect. Each cause or reason for imperfection is a source of variation. Causes are usually grouped into major categories to identify these sources of variation. The categories typically include
- People: Anyone involved with the process
- Methods: How the process is performed and the specific requirements for doing it, such as policies, procedures, rules, regulations and laws
- Machines: Any equipment, computers, tools, etc. required to accomplish the job
- Materials: Raw materials, parts, pens, paper, etc. used to produce the final product
- Measurements: Data generated from the process that are used to evaluate its quality
- Environment: The conditions, such as location, time, temperature, and culture in which the process operates
Identifies many possible causes for an effect or problem and sorts ideas into useful categories.
Tutorials Point :
Cause and effect diagrams (Ishikawa Diagram) are used for understanding organizational or business problem causes.
Organizations face problems everyday and it is required to understand the causes of these problems in order to solve them effectively. Cause and effect diagrams exercise is usually a teamwork.
A brainstorming session is required in order to come up with an effective cause and effect diagram.
All the main components of a problem area are listed and possible causes from each area is listed.
Then, most likely causes of the problems are identified to carry out further analysis.
2. Check Sheet
Wikipedia :
The check sheet is a form (document) used to collect data in real time at the location where the data is generated. The data it captures can be quantitative or qualitative. When the information is quantitative, the check sheet is sometimes called a tally sheet.
Asq :
A structured, prepared form for collecting and analyzing data; a generic tool that can be adapted for a wide variety of purposes.
Tutorials Point :
A check sheet can be introduced as the most basic tool for quality.
A check sheet is basically used for gathering and organizing data.
When this is done with the help of software packages such as Microsoft Excel, you can derive further analysis graphs and automate through macros available.
Therefore, it is always a good idea to use a software check sheet for information gathering and organizing needs.
One can always use a paper-based check sheet when the information gathered is only used for backup or storing purposes other than further processing.
3. Control Charts
Wikipedia :
Control charts, also known as Shewhart charts (after Walter A. Shewhart) or process-behavior charts, in statistical process control are tools used to determine if a manufacturing or business process is in a state of statistical control.
Asq :
Graphs used to study how a process changes over time.
Tutorials Point :
Control chart is the best tool for monitoring the performance of a process. These types of charts can be used for monitoring any processes related to function of the organization.
These charts allow you to identify the following conditions related to the process that has been monitored.
Stability of the process.
Predictability of the process.
Identification of common cause of variation.
Special conditions where the monitoring party needs to react.
4. Histogram
Wikipedia :
A histogram is a graphical representation of the distribution of data. It is an estimate of the probability distribution of a continuous variable (quantitative variable) and was first introduced by Karl Pearson.
Asq :
The most commonly used graph for showing frequency distributions, or how often each different value in a set of data occurs.
Tutorials Point :
Histogram is used for illustrating the frequency and the extent in the context of two variables.
Histogram is a chart with columns. This represents the distribution by mean. If the histogram is normal, the graph takes the shape of a bell curve.
If it is not normal, it may take different shapes based on the condition of the distribution. Histogram can be used to measure something against another thing. Always, it should be two variables.
Consider the above example: The following histogram shows morning attendance of a class. The X-axis is the number of students and the Y-axis the time of the day.
5. Pareto Chart
Wikipedia :
A Pareto chart, named after Vilfredo Pareto, is a type of chart that contains both bars and a line graph, where individual values are represented in descending order by bars, and the cumulative total is represented by the line.
The left vertical axis is the frequency of occurrence, but it can alternatively represent cost or another important unit of measure. The right vertical axis is the cumulative percentage of the total number of occurrences, total cost, or total of the particular unit of measure. Because the reasons are in decreasing order, the cumulative function is a concave function. To take the example above, in order to lower the amount of late arrivals by 78%, it is sufficient to solve the first three issues.
The purpose of the Pareto chart is to highlight the most important among a (typically large) set of factors. In quality control, it often represents the most common sources of defects, the highest occurring type of defect, or the most frequent reasons for customer complaints, and so on. Wilkinson (2006) devised an algorithm for producing statistically based acceptance limits (similar to confidence intervals) for each bar in the Pareto chart.
Asq :
Shows on a bar graph which factors are more significant.
Tutorials Point :
Pareto charts are used for identifying a set of priorities. You can chart any number of issues/variables related to a specific concern and record the number of occurrences.
This way you can figure out the parameters that have the highest impact on the specific concern.
This helps you to work on the propriety issues in order to get the condition under control.
6. Scatter Diagram
Wikipedia :
A scatter plot, scatterplot, or scattergraph is a type of mathematical diagram using Cartesian coordinates to display values for two variables for a set of data.
The data is displayed as a collection of points, each having the value of one variable determining the position on the horizontal axis and the value of the other variable determining the position on the vertical axis. This kind of plot is also called a scatter chart, scattergram, scatter diagram, or scatter graph.
Asq :
Graphs pairs of numerical data, one variable on each axis, to look for a relationship.
Tutorials Point :
When it comes to the values of two variables, scatter diagrams are the best way to present. Scatter diagrams present the relationship between two variables and illustrate the results on a Cartesian plane.
Then, further analysis, such as trend analysis can be performed on the values.
In these diagrams, one variable denotes one axis and another variable denotes the other axis.
7. Stratification / Flow Chart / Run Chart
Wikipedia :
Stratification is the process of dividing members of the population into homogeneous subgroups before sampling. The strata should be mutually exclusive: every element in the population must be assigned to only one stratum. The strata should also be collectively exhaustive: no population element can be excluded. Then simple random sampling or systematic sampling is applied within each stratum. This often improves the representativeness of the sample by reducing sampling error. It can produce a weighted mean that has less variability than the arithmetic mean of a simple random sample of the population.
Asq :
A technique that separates data gathered from a variety of sources so that patterns can be seen (some lists replace “stratification” with “flowchart” or “run chart”).
Tutorials Point :
This is one of the basic quality tool that can be used for analyzing a sequence of events.
The tool maps out a sequence of events that take place sequentially or in parallel. The flow chart can be used to understand a complex process in order to find the relationships and dependencies between events.
You can also get a brief idea about the critical path of the process and the events involved in the critical path.
Flow charts can be used for any field to illustrate complex processes in a simple way. There are specific software tools developed for drawing flow charts, such as MS Visio.
You can download some of the open source flow chart tools developed by the open source community.
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Conclusion
Above seven basic quality tools help you to address different concerns in an organization.
Therefore, use of such tools should be a basic practice in the organization in order to enhance the efficiency.
Trainings on these tools should be included in the organizational orientation program, so all the staff members get to learn these basic tools.
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Cutting Off Disc & Grinding Disc
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