7 Quality control Tools
Vinay Chandran
Continuous Improvement |Operational Excellence | Digital Transformation | Project Management
Introduction:
The 7QC (Seven Quality Control) tools are a series of essential problem-solving approaches used to detect and handle difficulties in the world of quality management and process development. These technologies are frequently used in a variety of businesses to analyse data, spot patterns, and make sound judgements. In this post, we will look at each of the 7QC tools, understand how they work, and emphasise their importance in tackling organisational difficulties.
1.Check Sheets:-
Check sheets are simple and straightforward data gathering forms used to collect and organise data. They assist teams in tracking and recording the frequency and occurrence of specific occurrences or problems. Organisations can use check sheets to quantify and visualise data, allowing for a more thorough analysis and informed decision-making.
2.Cause-and-Effect Diagram (Ishikawa Diagram or Fishbone Diagram):
The Cause and effect diagram aids in identifying the potential causes of an issue or consequence. It allows teams to brainstorm and categorise potential reasons into broad categories including people, process, equipment, materials, and environment. This tool aids in understanding the core causes and devising effective remedies by visually mapping out the relationships between Cause and effect diagram.
3.Histogram:-
Histograms are graphical representations of the distribution of data. They show the frequency or count of data points that fall inside certain intervals or ranges. Histograms aid in the visualisation of patterns, trends, and changes in data, allowing teams to analyse and comprehend distribution features. This tool aids data-driven decision-making by offering insights into process performance and highlighting areas for improvement.
4.Pareto Charts:-
Pareto Charts are bar graphs that show the relative frequency or occurrence of several categories or causes in descending order. They adhere to the Pareto principle, commonly known as the 80/20 rule, which argues that a large proportion of issues or faults are frequently caused by a few critical variables. Pareto charts assist in prioritising and focusing attention on the most critical issues by distinguishing the important few from the insignificant many.
5.Control charts:-
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Control charts are graphical tools used to monitor and track the performance of a process over time. They show data points, such as measurements, faults, or errors, in relation to control limits and a centre line. Organisations can use control charts to discern between common cause variation (inherent in the process) and special cause variation (caused by unique circumstances). Organisations can improve their processes and overall performance by identifying and addressing special causes.
6.Scatter diagrams:-
Scatter diagrams, also known as scatter plots, are used to understand the relationship between two variables. They plot data points on a graph, one variable on the x-axis and the other on the y-axis. Scatter diagrams aid in the identification of correlations, patterns, or trends between variables, which aids in data analysis and decision-making. This tool aids in the identification of probable cause-and-effect links and contributes to process optimisation efforts.
7.Stratification (Divide and Conquer):-
The process of splitting data into meaningful subgroups or categories based on specified qualities is known as stratification. It enables organisations to analyse data more efficiently by taking individual aspects into account. Teams can uncover trends, variances, or contrasts in a bigger dataset by stratifying data. Stratification improves problem-solving by allowing for a more concentrated analysis of each subgroup and more targeted improvement efforts.
Conclusion:
The 7QC tools provide a comprehensive framework for problem solving and continual improvement in organisations. Teams can use these tools to analyse data, discover root causes, prioritise efforts, and make sound decisions. The 7QC tools provide organisations with essential approaches to improve quality and drive success, whether it's detecting process inefficiencies, decreasing defects, or optimising performance. Incorporating these tools into problem-solving processes can help achieve operational excellence and customer satisfaction significantly.
“Remember, while Six Sigma principles can be useful in everyday life, it's important to adapt them to the context and scale of your personal goals and activities.”
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Vinay Chandran
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PS: The Article written above is from the learnings from various books on Lean & Six Sigma. Due credit to all the Lean & Six sigma thinkers who have shared their thoughts through their books/articles/case studies
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