7 Quality Tools

Introduction to 7 Quality Tools

The 7 basic tools help us to improve, guiding and developing the project with quality strategy. This is a graphical representation to evaluate the data.

This practice was first founded by Japan and implemented in a training program. Later found the improvement of quality in complex issues industries of the entire country, eventually using quality spreader all over the world. This is used in detailing various phases of six sigma process, which is the continuous improvement process in the industry. The effective use of 7 quality tools helps in maintaining the standards in quality and service. This helps in identifying the issue in production process, controls and provides a solution to mitigate future defects. These Quality tools are used to map the quality and provide them a continuous improvement in the production process.

All the 7 quality tools are detailed and studied under the Lean Six Sigma Master study, where it teaches the quality in production. Scrum is an Agile product quality development and implements increment practices.

Types of Quality Tools

The 7 Quality types of tools are,

• Cause-and-effect diagram
• Check sheet
• Control charts
• Histogram
• Pareto chart
• Scatter diagram
• Stratification

1. Cause-and-Effect Diagram

This is also called a fishbone chart or Ishikawa diagram. This is used to identify the cause and effect of the problem, re-arrange and implement ideas in strategically way.

When to Use this Method?

• This is used to identify the root cause of the problem.
• When the project diverts from its planned schedule
• Identification of Risks.

Procedure to Follow

1) Estimate the problem statement and continue drawing a straight line with branches as like fish bone.

2) Analyze the problem using a brainstorming technique and implement into the branches for the quick view of the problems. The external factors are,

• Handling methods
• Environmental factors
• Materials factors
• Manpower
• Equipment
• Measuring factors
• Why Analysis

2. Check Sheet

It is a sheet prepared in a structured way. This is used for collecting and analyzing information. This tool is compatible with a wide variety of applications.

When to Use this Method?

• This is used to analyze the repetition of the data of the same problem or similar.
• This method is used in a repetitive operative applications process.
• Collective set of sheets or format for the overview of problems.

Procedure to Follow

1. Create the table format in sheets.
2. Input details of the problems, when and how on a weekly basis.
3. Calculate the overall problem using the table and record periodically.
4. Update, Review and Monitor the data on a weekly basis.

3. Control Charts

Charts are used to study how process changes overtimes in the graphical view. Comparing Present data to historical limits leads to conclusions about whether the process is in control or it is out of control. Variations of External factors may apply.

When to Use this Method?

• To find the routine flow of the project.
• Identify risk task and mitigate them
• To find the outcome of the actual from planned.
• Continuous improvement or change in process.
• Sampling distribution using a number of occurrences.

Procedure to Follow

• Input data in appropriate control chart.
• The schedule time period for the data.
• Construct and analyze data.
• Every successor activity should be dependent on predecessor activity
• Plot the data, plot out o control should be identified and identified as X.
• Out of control limits should be applied with theorem.

4. Histogram

This graph is most commonly used for evaluating frequency distributions and how each value is differentiated in a different set of data.

When to Use this Method?

• When it consists of numerical data.
• Series of data in a timely manner.
• To have a clear understanding of the data
• Analyze whether it can meet the customer’s requirement.

Procedure to Follow

• Collect data and input in points.
• Draw X and Y plots and label the details in the bar chart.

5. Pareto Chart

It’s a bar chart which shows the factors inaccurate way.

When to use this Method?

• To analyze the risk in the task process.
• Focus on a critical point when many are there.
• Visual explanation and for easy communication delivery.
• Focus on a particular element in a cluster of data.

Procedure to Follow

• Plan the category of information for input.
• Provide necessary measurement details such as cost, quantity.
• Plan the conception delivery of paring to chart (Set time frame).
• Pareto chart should be grouped from high to low format.
• Develop the level bars of the chart.

6. Scatter Diagram

The paring of Graphs with numerical data is called scattered diagram, it is used to find the relationship of the variables on each axis.

When to Use this Method?

• When multiple data with different variations.
• To find the cause and effect are relatively the same.
• To identify the root cause of the problem.
• To analyze the scattered plots.

Procedure to Follow

• Analyze similar pair of data.
• Construct an independent variable in X-axis and dependent variable in Y-axis.
• Plot data in the graph, to identify the points in each quadrant.
• Segregate the data in X and Y plots.
• The Data touching the intersection lines should not be evaluated.

7. Stratification

The strategy used to separate data which is gathered from various sources. Patterns are developed using stratification for run chart or flowchart. Stratification is the first step in 7 Quality tools.

When to Use this Method?

• Stratification is done before the collection of data.
• Performed before collecting the collection of several source data.
• Different sources such as shift timings, intervals, manpower, material type, vendor, product, etc.

Procedure to Follow

1. Create departments, every subset of data are provided in separate departments.
2. Sources of Data are collected before the evaluation of done, so this does not affect the final results.
3. Stratification shares data to other tools to evaluate the results.
4. Detailing the source data before analyzing.

Recommended Articles

This has been a guide to 7 Quality Tools. Here we discussed the 7 Different Types of Quality Tools and their methods and procedures. You can also go through our other suggested articles to learn more –

1. What is Total Quality Management
2. Quality Control Interview Questions
3. Quality Improvement Tools
4. Concept of total quality management