Quality Control Tools

Production environments that utilize modern quality control methods are dependant upon statistical literacy. The
tools used therein are called the seven quality control tools. These include:
[Note: Examples have been included in this synopsis that correspond to a sample case study that can be accessed
from the Quality Control Tools Home Page. Additional background information may be obtained by downloading
the full case study text (67k).]

Checksheet
The function of a checksheet is to present information in an efficient, graphical format. This may be accomplished
with a simple listing of items. However, the utility of the checksheet may be significantly enhanced, in some
instances, by incorporating a depiction of the system under analysis into the form.
| QC Tools | Example |

Pareto Chart
Pareto charts are extremely useful because they can be used to identify those factors that have the greatest
cumulative effect on the system, and thus screen out the less significant factors in an analysis. Ideally, this allows the
user to focus attention on a few important factors in a process.
They are created by plotting the cumulative frequencies of the relative frequency data (event count data), in
decending order. When this is done, the most essential factors for the analysis are graphically apparent, and in an
orderly format.
| QC Tools | Example |

Flowchart
Flowcharts are pictorial representations of a process. By breaking the process down into its constituent steps,
flowcharts can be useful in identifying where errors are likely to be found in the system.
| QC Tools | Example |

Cause and Effect Diagram

This diagram, also called an Ishikawa diagram (or fish bone diagram), is used to associate multiple possible causes
with a single effect. Thus, given a particular effect, the diagram is constructed to identify and organize possible
causes for it.
The primary branch represents the effect (the quality characteristic that is intended to be improved and controlled)
and is typically labelled on the right side of the diagram. Each major branch of the diagram corresponds to a major
cause (or class of causes) that directly relates to the effect. Minor branches correspond to more detailed causal
factors. This type of diagram is useful in any analysis, as it illustrates the relationship between cause and effect in a
rational manner.
| QC Tools | Example |

Histogram
Histograms provide a simple, graphical view of accumulated data, including its dispersion and central tendancy. In
addition to the ease with which they can be constructed, histograms provide the easiest way to evaluate the
distribution of data.
| QC Tools | Example |

Scatter Diagram
Scatter diagrams are graphical tools that attempt to depict the influence that one variable has on another. A common
diagram of this type usually displays points representing the observed value of one variable corresponding to the
value of another variable.
| QC Tools | Example |

Control Chart
The control chart is the fundamental tool of statistical process control, as it indicates the range of variability that is
built into a system (known as common cause variation). Thus, it helps determine whether or not a process is
operating consistently or if a special cause has occurred to change the process mean or variance.
The bounds of the control chart are marked by upper and lower control limits that are calculated by applying
statistical formulas to data from the process. Data points that fall outside these bounds represent variations due to
special causes, which can typically be found and eliminated. On the other hand, improvements in common cause
variation require fundamental changes in the process.
| QC Tools | Example |

Summary
The tools listed above are ideally utilized in a particular methodology, which typically involves either reducing the
process variability or identifying specific problems in the process. However, other methodologies may need to be
developed to allow for sufficient customization to a certain specific process. In any case, the tools should be utilized
to ensure that all attempts at process improvement include:
Discovery
Analysis
Improvement
Monitoring
Implementation
Verification
Furthermore, it is important to note that the mere use of the quality control tools does not necessarily constitute a
quality program. Thus, to achieve lasting improvements in quality, it is essential to establish a system that will
continuously promote quality in all aspects of its operation.

GOAL/QPC

The Seven Quality Control Tools (7QC)

7QC Tools are featured in the Memory Jogger II, A Pocket Guide of Tools for
Continuous Improvement & Effective Planning.
CAuse and Effect Diagram
The cause and effect diagram is also called the fishbone chart because of its appearance
and
the Ishakowa chart after the man who popularized its use in Japan. Its most frequent use
is to
list the cause of particular problems. The lines coming off the core horizontal line are the
main
causes and the lines coming off those are sub causes.

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Run Chart
The run chart shows the history and pattern of variation. It is helpful to indicate on the
chart
whether up is good or down is good. This tool is used at the beginning of the change
process
to see what the problems are. It is used at the end (check) part of the change process to
see
whether the change has resulted in a permanent improvement.
Scatter Diagram The scatter diagram shows the pattern of relationship between two
variables that are thought
to be related. For example is their a relationship between out side temperature and cases
of the
common cold? As temperatures drop, do colds increase. The closer the points hug a
diagonal
line the more closely there is a one to one relationship.
Flowchart
The flowchart lists the order of activities. The circle symbol indicates the beginning or
end of
the process. The box indicates action items and the diamond indicates decision points. A
beneficial technique is to map the ideal process and the actual process and identify the
differences as targets for improvements.

Pareto Chart
The Pareto shows the distribution of items and arranges them from the most frequent to
the
least frequent with the final bar being misc. The tool is named after Wilfredo Pareto, the
Italian economist who determined that wealth is not evenly distributed. Some of the
people have
most of the money. This tool is a graphical picture of the most frequent causes of a
particular
problem. It shows where to put your initial effort to get the most gain.
Histogram

The histogram is a bar chart showing a distribution of variables. An example would be to

line
up by height a group of people in a course. Normally one would be the tallest and one
would

be the shortest and there would be a cluster of people around an average height. Hence
the
phrase "normal distribution". This tool helps identify the cause of problems in a process
by the
shape of the distribution as well as the width of the distribution.
Control Chart
The control chart is a line chart with control limits. It is based on the work of Shewhart
and
Deming. By mathematically constructing control limits at 3 standard deviations above
and below
the average, one can determine what variation is due to normal ongoing causes (common
causes)
and what variation is produced by unique events (special causes). By eliminating the
special
causes first and then reducing common causes, quality can be improved.