7 QC Tools | 7 Quality Tools | Process

Improvement Tools
March 17, 2020 / 7 QC Tools / By TQP

7 QC Tools are also known as Seven Basic Quality Tools and

Quality Management Tools. These graphical and statistical tools are used to
analyze and solve work-related problems effectively.

The 7 Quality Tools are widely applied by many industries for product and process
improvements, and to solve critical quality problems.

7QC tools are extensively used in various Problem Solving Techniques which
are listed below:

• 8D Problem Solving Methodology.

• PDCA Deming Cycle for Continuous improvement in
product and processes.
• Lean Manufacturing for 3M Waste elimination from
processes.
• Various phases of Six Sigma-DMAIC to reduce process
variations.
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Table of Contents
• WHAT ARE 7 QC TOOLS?
o 7 QC Tools List | Quality Tools
• 7 Tools of quality | Brief Explanation
o Check Sheet
o Fishbone Diagram
o Histogram
o Pareto Chart
o Control Chart
o Scatter Diagram
o Stratification Diagram
o Process Flow Chart

• WHY DO WE NEED 7 QC TOOLS

• 7QC Tools benefits
• 7 QC TOOLS NEW
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WHAT ARE 7 QC TOOLS?

The 7 quality tools are simple graphical and statistical tools but very powerful in
solving quality problems and process improvement.
These statistical tools are very easy to understand and can be implemented without any
complex analytical competence or skills.

The 7tools of quality are generally used by quality control and quality
assurance engineers to solve product or process-related quality issues on a
daily/weekly/monthly basis and to reduce/eliminate non-value-added activities like
product rework, repair, and rejection.

7 QC Tools List | Quality Tools

The list of 7 QC tools are:

1. Check Sheet
2. Fishbone Diagram
3. Histogram
4. Pareto Chart
5. Control Chart
6. Scatter Diagram
7. Stratification Diagram (Some lists replace stratification
with Process Flowchart)
Click on the above links to Explore QC tools.
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7 Tools of quality | Brief Explanation

Check Sheet
The check sheet is used for collecting,
recording, and analyzing the data. Data
collection is an important activity in the
problem-solving process as it provides a basis
for further action. Data may be numerical,
observations and opinions, etc.

Fishbone Diagram
Fishbone diagram is also called as Cause
and Effect diagram and Ishikawa
diagram. It helps to Identify all possible
potential causes and select the real/best
potential cause which contributes to the
problem/effect. The brainstorming technique
is used for potential cause identification.
In a brainstorming session, all 4M or 6M
factors are taken into consideration to identify
the potential causes. 4M or 6M factors are –
Man, Machine, Method, Material, Measurement, and Mother nature also called
Environment.

Histogram
A Histogram is a pictorial representation
of a set of data, and the most commonly used
bar graph for showing frequency distributions
of data/values. Histogram frequency
distribution chart is widely used in Six
Sigma problem solving process.
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Pareto Chart
The Pareto chart helps to Narrow the
problem area or prioritize the significant
problems for corrective measures. The
pareto principle is based on the 80-20 rule.
It means that 80 percent of the
problems/failures are caused by 20 percent of
the few major causes/factors which are often
referred to as Vital Few.
And the remaining 20 percent of the problems
are caused by 80 percent of many minor causes which are referred to as Trivial Many.
Hence, it gives us information about Vital few from Trivial many.

Control Chart
A control chart is also known as the
SPC chart or Shewhart chart. It is a graphical
representation of the collected information/
data and it helps to monitor the process
centering or process behavior against the
specified/set control limits.

A control chart is a very powerful tool to Investigate/disclose the source of Process

Variations present in the manufacturing processes. Tells when to take necessary
action to eliminate the Common or Random or Chance variations and Special causes
of variations.
The control chart helps to measure and analyze the process capability and
performance (Cp and Cpk and Pp and Ppk) of the production process.
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Scatter Diagram
A Scatter diagram is also known as
Correlation Chart, Scatter Plot, and Scatter
Graph. A Scatter graph is used to find out the
relationship between two variables. In other
words, it shows the relationship between two
sets of numerical data. Scatter graph shows a
Positive or Negative correlation between two
variables.
Independent variable data and dependent
Variable data are customarily plotted along the horizontal X-axis and Vertical Y-axis
respectively. Independent variable is also called controlled parameters.

Stratification Diagram
A technique used to analyze and divide a
universe of data into homogeneous groups is
called -Strata. Stratification tools are
used when the data come from different
sources or conditions, such as data collected
from different shifts, machines, people,
days, suppliers and population groups, etc.

Process Flow Chart

A Process Flow Chart (PFC) is a diagram
of the separate steps of a operations/process
in sequential order. PFC is also known
as process flow diagram (PFD), and
Process Map.
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WHY DO WE NEED 7 QC TOOLS

We need Quality Tools for :

• Problem Solving – making decisions & judgments.

• For Process Measurement.
• For continual improvement in products, processes, and
services.
• To improve Quality, Productivity, and Customer Satisfaction.

Kaoru Ishikawa
“95% of the problem is solved when clearly defined”
“95% of quality-related problems in the organization can be solved by using seven
fundamental quantitative tools.”

7QC Tools benefits

The major benefits of QC tools are:

• To analyze and solve quality problems effectively.

• Improve product and process quality.
• Enhance customer satisfaction.
• Reduce cost due to poor quality.
• Helps in investigating the potential causes and real root
cause of the problem for taking effective countermeasures.
• Check sheet helps in data collection and recording for
quality problem analysis.
• Identify and reduce the process variation using the SPC
quality tool.
• Pareto QC tool helps to narrow down the quality problem
using the 80/20 rule.
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• Helps in identifying the various sources of variations present

in the process.
• Improve the employee’s analytical and problem-solving
skills.

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7 QC TOOLS NEW
The new seven QC Tools are used for planning, goal setting, and problem-solving.
These are explained below :

Affinity Diagram – KJ Method. This tool is used for Pinpointing the Problem in a
Chaotic Situation and generating solution strategies.
Gathers large amounts of verbal data such as ideas, opinions, issues, and organizes the
data into groups based on natural relationships.

Tree Diagram – Also known as Systematic diagram or Dendrograms, Hierarchy

diagram, Organisation chart, and Analytical Tree.
This diagram is used for systematically pursuing the best strategies for achieving an
objective.
The advantages of the tree diagram are that it facilitates agreement among the team and
is extremely convincing with strategies.

Relation Diagram – It is used for cause identification. For finding solutions

strategies by clarifying relationships with Complex Interrelated Causes.
Allows for “Multi-directional” thinking rather than linear. Also known as
Interrelationship diagrams.
Process Decisions Program Charts (PDPC) – Also called Decision Process
Chart. It is used for producing the desired result from many possible outcomes.
The chart is used to plan various contingencies.
PDPC enables problems to pinpoint.

Matrix Diagram – used for Clarifying Problems. It clarifies relationships among

different elements.

Matrix Data Analysis – Matrix + Num. Analysis.

This can be used when the Matrix diagram does not give sufficient information.
This is used in various fields like process analysis, new product planning, market surveys,
etc.

Arrow Diagram – Gantt Chart + PERT/CPM Chart.

An arrow diagram is employed for understanding optimal schedules and controlling them
effectively.
This shows relationships among tasks needed to implement a plan.
This diagram is extensively used in PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) and
CPM (Critical Path Method).
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