Essential quality control tools: What are they?

1. Data tables – Data tables are a way to collect data in a tabulated format so that it can
more easily be reviewed for trends. If you are tabulating defect type per supplier, it
easily becomes visible which suppliers have which defects so that you can then work
on improvement.
2. Pareto analysis – The Pareto diagram will take the data for many types of
information, often different problems or defects, and present them in a graphical
representation from highest frequency to lowest. This easily shows which problems
occur most frequently, and you can quite simply tell which few defects comprise 80%
of your problems.
3. Scatter diagrams – When using a scatter diagram, you compare two factors, such as
defect quantity and time of day, to see if there is a correlation. In this example, if you
have an increased number of defects at 1PM, right after lunch break, you can then
further investigate the cause of this and fix it.
4. Trend analysis – Trend charts, also known as graphs or run charts, allow you to
graphically plot data associated with a process over time against
specification limits. These charts give the raw data to establish if there is evidence
that a process might need investigation for improvement.
5. Histograms – Histograms plot the frequency of occurrence within data, converting a
collection of data points into a distribution curve. Analyzing this curve can tell you if
your process is functioning normally or not. If it is abnormal, then improvements
might be needed.
6. Control charts – Control charts are an ongoing plotting of data for a process, and can
indicate when the process outputs start to shift away from the expected measurements,
and then allow for correction. They also will easily show if improvement activities
have been effective, as there will be a sustained shift in the data after improvement
work is done.
7. Cause and effect analysis – The cause and effect analysis, also called a fishbone
diagram, is used mainly to investigate the cause of a problem or potential problem.
With the problem in mind, you think through every possible cause on the six headings
of machine, method, material, measurement, men/women, and environment. After
tabulating all possible causes, you can then start to eliminate them until you come to
the most likely cause, which can be corrected.