The Seven Basic Tools of Quality is a designation given to a fixed set of graphical techniques identified as being most helpful

in troubleshooting issues related to quality. They are called basic because they are suitable for people with little formal training in statistics and because they can be used to solve the vast majority of quality-related issues. Seven basic tools of quality includes Ishikawa (fishbone) diagram, Check sheet, Control chart, Histogram, Pareto chart, Scatter diagram and Stratified sampling. Origin of the designation Original designation was just Seven tools and their content was formed during the fifties and sixties of the last century in Japan by K. Ishikawa and E. Deming. The designation was inspired by the seven famous weapons of Benkei. At that time, companies that had set about training their workforces in statistical quality control found that the complexity of the subject intimidated the vast majority of their workers and scaled back training to focus primarily on simpler methods which suffice for most quality-related issues. The Seven Basic Tools stand in contrast to more advanced statistical methods such as survey sampling, acceptance sampling, statistical hypothesis testing, design of experiments, multivariate analysis, and various methods developed in the field of operations research. Description of the tools The seven tools are Cause-and-effect (also known as the "fish-bone" or Ishikawa) diagram Check sheet Control chart Histogram Pareto chart Scatter diagram Stratification (alternately, flow chart or run chart)

Ishikawa (fishbone) diagram Ishikawa diagram Ishikawa diagram (called sometimes fishbone diagram or cause-and-effect diagram) is introduced by Kaoru Ishikawa (1968) and show the causes of a specific event. Common use of diagram is on brainstorming to find possible cause of a problem. Nancy R. Tagues introduced steps how to use the diagram as follows: 1. Agree on a problem statement (effect). Write it at the center right. Draw draw box around and horizontal line to it. 2. Brainstorm the major categories of causes of the problem. 3. Write categories as branches.

4. Brainstorm all possible causes of the problem category by asking Why does this happen? and write them as branches of the category. 5. Continue to ask Why? and reach deeper level of each cause. 6. Focus on empty space when you run out of ideas Check sheet The check sheet is a document used to manually capture data from the process, usually number of defects by type, location or cause or to check probability distribution of the process or to monitor steps of the process. Run Chart A run chart, also known as a run-sequence plot is a graph that displays observed data in a time sequence. Often, the data displayed represent some aspect of the output or performance of a manufacturing or other business process. Overview Run sequence plots are an easy way to graphically summarize a univariate data set. A common assumption of univariate data sets is that they behave like: random drawings; from a fixed distribution; with a common location; and with a common scale.

With run sequence plots, shifts in location and scale are typically quite evident. Also, outliers can easily be detected Examples could include measurements of the fill level of bottles filled at a bottling plant or the water temperature of a dishwashing machine each time it is run. Time is generally represented on the horizontal (x) axis and the property under observation on the vertical (y) axis. Often, some measure of central tendency (mean or median) of the data is indicated by a horizontal reference line. Run charts are analyzed to find anomalies in data that suggest shifts in a process over time or special factors that may be influencing the variability of a process. Typical factors considered include unusually long "runs" of data points above or below the average line, the total number of such runs in the data set, and unusually long series of consecutive increases or decreases.[1] Run charts are similar in some regards to the control charts used in statistical process control, but do not show the control limits of the process. They are therefore simpler to produce, but do not allow for the full range of analytic techniques supported by control charts

Ishikawa diagram Ishikawa diagrams (also called fishbone diagrams, herringbone diagrams, cause-and-effect diagrams, or Fishikawa) are causal diagrams created by Kaoru Ishikawa (1968) that show the causes of a specific event. Common uses of the Ishikawa diagram are product design and quality defect prevention, to identify potential factors causing an overall effect. Each cause or reason for imperfection is a source of variation. Causes are usually grouped into major categories to identify these sources of variation. The categories typically include: People: Anyone involved with the process Methods: How the process is performed and the specific requirements for doing it, such as policies, procedures, rules, regulations and laws Machines: Any equipment, computers, tools, etc. required to accomplish the job Materials: Raw materials, parts, pens, paper, etc. used to produce the final product Measurements: Data generated from the process that are used to evaluate its quality Environment: The conditions, such as location, time, temperature, and culture in which the process operates Ishikawa diagrams were proposed by Kaoru Ishikawa[3] in the 1960s, who pioneered quality management processes in the Kawasaki shipyards, and in the process became one of the founding fathers of modern management. It was first used in the 1920s, and is considered one of the seven basic tools of quality control.[4] It is known as a fishbone diagram because of its shape, similar to the side view of a fish skeleton. Mazda Motors famously used an Ishikawa diagram in the development of the Miata sports car, where the required result was "Jinba Ittai" (Horse and Rider s One jap. ). The main causes included such aspects as "touch" and "braking" with the lesser causes including highly granular factors such as "50/50 weight distribution" and "able to rest elbow on top of driver's door". Every factor identified in the diagram was included in the final design.