THE 7 BASIC QUALITY TOOLS FOR PROCESS IMPROVEMENT

"The Old Seven." "The First Seven." "The Basic Seven."

Quality pros have many names for these seven basic tools of quality, first emphasized by Kaoru Ishikawa, a
professor of engineering at Tokyo University and the father of "quality circles."

Cause-and-effect diagram (also called Ishikawa or fishbone diagrams): Identifies many possible causes for an
effect or problem and sorts ideas into useful categories.

Check sheet: A structured, prepared form for collecting and analyzing data; a generic tool that can be adapted
for a wide variety of purposes.

Control chart: Graph used to study how a process changes over time. Comparing current data to historical
control limits leads to conclusions about whether the process variation is consistent (in control) or is
unpredictable (out of control, affected by special causes of variation).

Histogram: The most commonly used graph for showing frequency distributions, or how often each different
value in a set of data occurs.

Pareto chart: A bar graph that shows which factors are more significant.

Scatter diagram: Graphs pairs of numerical data, one variable on each axis, to look for a relationship.

Stratification: 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). 

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 the 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 the production process, controls, and provides a solution to mitigate future defects. These Quality tools
are used to map the quality and provide them with a continuous improvement in the production process.

Types of Quality Tools

Given below are the 7 Quality types of tools:

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
and re-arrange and implement ideas strategically.

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:

  Estimate the problem statement and continue drawing a straight line with branches as like fishbone.

 Analyze the problem using a brainstorming technique and implement it into the branches for a 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 application process.

 Collective set of sheets or format for the overview of problems.

Procedure to follow:

 Create the table format in sheets.

  Input details of the problems, when and how on a weekly basis.

 Calculate the overall problem using the table and record periodically.

 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 the process.

 Sampling distribution using a number of occurrences.

Procedure to follow:

 Input data in the 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 a 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 on X-axis and a dependent variable on 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 is gathered from various sources. Patterns are developed using stratification for
run charts 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:

 Create departments; every subset of data are provided in separate departments.

 Sources of Data are collected before the evaluation of done, so this does not affect the final results.

 Stratification shares data to other tools to evaluate the results.

 Detailing the source data before analyzing.