The 7 Basic Tools of Quality

7 Basic Quality Tools

Last year, I found myself intrigued by a management team that structured its process improvement efforts almost entirely around the 7 basic tools of quality.

Each team received green belt training that was focused almost entirely on those 7 basic tools, and then part of each team's performance evaluation was based on how well they improved their processes... using only those basic 7 tools.

I can't say that I would recommend this approach to others, but it did serve as inspiration for the theme of this month's newsletter...

1. What are the 7 Basic Tools of Quality?
2. And in what special ways do your Systems2win tools extend them?

Why re-invent?

Real Time Data

Have you ever seen a chart that updates instantly as your data changes?

If you use Minitab, QI Macros, SigmaXL,
or any other popular statistical software...

you know what we're talking about.

You have to refresh your chart every time that your data changes.

And any small tweaks that you made to that chart to make it look better... get lost.

and you have to make those same changes to the new chart again...

and again, and again, and again

Instant Chart Refresh

With your Systems2win charts...

your chart can change the instant that your data changes.

you can personalize your chart once,
and never have to edit that chart again.

Learn more about Data Links

Insert Sheet

Have you seen the 'Insert Sheet' button?

With the click of a button, you can insert a useful new worksheet into ANY Excel workbook.

Every one of the 7 Basic Quality Tools can be inserted into ANY other Excel workbook that you're working on.

1. Histogram
2. Scatter Plot
3. Check Sheet
4. Run Chart
5. Flow Chart
6. Pareto Chart
7. Root Cause Analysis

Why reinvent?

Learn more

New User Training

Free Live Instructor Led Class

Wed, March 22, 9am Central Time

In depth training, and hands-on learning exercises for (licensed) new users

All times are Central Time from Nashville Tennessee, (which is the same as Chicago)

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Even if you already own a license,
you can download the latest trials any time.

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to continuously improve their tools
for continuous improvement

You already knew about Systems2win?

Why didn't you tell me?

1) Histogram

A histogram is used to:

1. Graphically illustrate the probability distribution of something happening.
2. Determine whether or not your data fits a normal distribution.
3. Determine whether or not your process is capable of meeting your specifications.

If the Analysis Toolpak histogram is overly simple to the point of uselessness... there are other histograms that are overly complex.

Maybe your Black Belts might appreciate cpk ppk analysis of logical groups... but no one else is going to understand what they're talking about.

Histogram for a Green Belt

So we recently developed a Histogram specifically targeted for a Green Belt. (not a Black Belt)

• Does your data fit a normal curve?
  (in terms that a Green Belt can understand)
• Instantly switch the vertical lines
  to YOUR Target and Limits
  or the mean and +/-3 standard deviations
• Instantly switch the bars between
  absolute values of frequency
  or relative frequency (% of total)
• Capability Analysis expressed in simple terms of defects and yield
• Highlight problems in bold red
  (based on user-defined andon thresholds)

Learn more about the Histogram

2) Scatter Plot

An XY Scatter Plot Diagram is used to analyze the relationship between two sets of data.

For example, the relationship between the inputs to a process and the resulting outputs from that process.

Correlation Analysis

The higher the number, the higher the correlation.

Positive number = positive correlation.

Negative number = negative correlation.

That's pretty easy, isn't it?

Learn more about the Scatter Plot

3) Check Sheet

The simplest of the 7 basic quality tools...

a Check Sheet is used to gather data when it happens where it happens using hand written hash check marks.

Then what?

Once your data is gathered —
you will usually want to summarize and analyze it using your Trends Scorecard (Trends.xlsx)

Learn more about the Check Sheet

4) Run Chart

Perhaps the most popular of the 7 basic tools...

a Run Chart is used to analyze trends and patterns in linear data A Control Chart is a special type of Run Chart

Learn more about the Run Chart

5) Flow Chart

The most diverse of the 7 basic quality tools...

a flow chart graphically depicts "who does what" and what decisions need to be made along the way

Types of Flow Charts

6) Pareto Chart

Doubling as a decision making tool...

A Pareto Chart is used to help decide "Where should we focus our attention?"

Learn more about the Pareto Chart

7) Fishbone Diagram

The most popular root cause analysis tools...

The Fishbone Diagram is starting to lose popularity in favor of a new equally simple, but more effective tool for root cause analysis

Root Cause Analysis Tools