Quality Improvement Tools

Introduction:
Most of the organizations use
quality tools for various purposes
related to controlling and assuring
quality.
Although there are a good number
of quality tools specific to certain
domains, fields, and practices,
some of the quality tools can be
used across such domains. These
quality tools are quite generic and
can be applied to any condition.
There are seven basic quality tools
used in organizations. These tools
can provide much information
about problems in the
organization assisting to derive
solutions for the same.
A number of these quality tools
come with a price tag. A brief
training, mostly a self-training, is
sufficient for someone to start
using the tools.
Let's have a look at the seven
basic quality tools in brief.
1. Flow Charts
This is one of the basic quality
tools that can be used for
analyzing a sequence of events.
The tool maps out a sequence of
events that take place sequentially
or in parallel. The flow chart can
be used to understand a complex
process in order to find the
relationships and dependencies
between events.
You can also get a brief idea about
the critical path of the process
and the events involved in the
critical path.
Flow charts can be used for any
field and to illustrate events
involving processes of any
complexity. There are specific
software tools developed for
drawing flow charts, such as MS
Visio.
You will be able to freely download
some of the open source flow
chart tools developed by the open
source community.
2. Histogram
Histogram is used for illustrating
the frequency and the extent in
the context of two variables.
Histogram is a chart with
columns. This represents the
distribution by mean. If the
histogram is normal, the graph
takes the shape of a bell curve.
If it is not normal, it may take
different shapes based on the
condition of the distribution.
Histogram can be used to
measure something against
another thing. Always, it should be
two variables.
Consider the following example:
The following histogram shows
morning attendance of a class.
The .x. axis is the number of
students and the .y. axis the time
of the day.
3. Cause and Effect Diagram
Cause and effect diagrams
(Ishikawa Diagram) are used for
understanding organizational or
business problem causes.
Organizations face problems
everyday and it is required to
understand the causes of these
problems in order to solve them
effectively. Cause and effect
diagrams exercise is usually a
team work.
A brainstorming session is
required in order to come up with
an effective cause and effect
diagram.
All the main components of a
problem area are listed and
possible causes from each area is
listed.
Then, most likely causes of the
problems are identified to carry
out further analysis.
4. Check Sheet
A check sheet can be introduced
as the most basic tool for quality.
A check sheet is basically used for
gathering and organizing data.
When this is done with the help of
software packages such as
Microsoft Excel, you can derive
further analysis graphs and
automate through macros
available.
Therefore, it is always a good idea
to use a software check sheet for
information gathering and
organizing needs.
One can always use a paper based
check sheet when the information
gathered is only used for backup
or storing purposes other than
further processing.
5. Scatter Diagram
When it comes to the values of
two variables, scatter diagrams
are the best way to present.
Scatter diagrams present the
relationship between two variables
and illustrate the results on a
Cartesian plain.
Then, further analysis, such as
trend analysis can be performed
on the values.
In these diagrams, one variable
denotes one axis and another
variable denotes the other axis.
6. Control Charts
Control chart is the best tool for
monitoring the performance of a
process. These types of charts can
be used for monitoring any
processes related to function of
the organization.
These charts allow you to identify
the following conditions related to
the process that has been
monitored.
Stability of the process
Predictability of the process
Identification common cause
of variation
Special conditions where the
monitoring party needs to
react
7. Pareto Charts
Pareto charts are used for
identifying a set of priorities. You
can chart any number of issues/
variables related to a specific
concern and record the number of
occurrences.
This way you can figure out the
parameters that have the highest
impact on the specific concern.
This helps you to work on the
propriety issues in order to get
the condition under control.
Conclusion
Above seven basic quality tools
help you to address different
concerns in an organization.
Therefore, use of such tools
should be a basic practice in the
organization in order to enhance
the efficiency.
Trainings on these tools should be
included in the organizational
orientation program, so all the
staff members get to learn these
basic tools.