Introduction on Seven Basic Tools of Quality
✓ Problem solving (i.e., the isolation and analysis of a problem and the development of a permanent solution) is an integral part of process improvement in a TQM organisation. An effective organisation uses problem solving tools and techniques to create value through process improvement.
✓ Problem-solving tools and techniques are essential to effective process improvement because they help teams uncover the root causes of problems and help them develop solutions to eliminate the problems.
✓ The Japanese quality guru Ishikawa proposed ‘seven basic tools’ (Q-7 tools) based on statistical techniques to facilitate successful accomplishment of quality improvement objectives.
✓ The seven statistical tools of quality and their uses are listed in Table .1.
Table .1 seven basic tools of quality and their uses
| S. No. | Statistical tools | Purpose |
| 1. | Flow chart | For depicting the essential steps of a process by using standard symbols. |
| 2. | Check sheet | For systematic data gathering, by tabulating the frequency of occurrence. |
| 3. | Histogram | For graphically displaying the frequency distribution of the numerical data. |
| 4. | Pareto diagram | For identifying the vital few causes that account for a dominant share of quality loss. |
| 5. | Cause and effect diagram | For identifying and analysing the potential causes of a given problem. |
| 6. | Scatter diagram | For depicting the relationship between two variables. |
| 7. | Control chart | For identifying process variations and signalling corrective action to be taken. |
| S. No. | Q-7 Tools | Plan (P) | Do (D) | Check (C) | Act (A) |
| 1. | Flow chart | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2. | Check sheet | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 3. | Histogram | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| 4. | Pareto diagram | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| 5. | Cause and effect diagram | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| 6. | Scatter diagram | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| 7. | Control chart | ✓ | ✓ |
