Total Quality Management

7 BASIC
QUALITY TOOLS
LESSON #7
Engr. R ILAGAN
Lecturer

January 29, 2024

Prepared By: Engr. Romeo G. Ilagan
 Seven Basic Quality Tools

OVERVIEW
✘ This module discusses the seven basic tools of quality .
✘ The Seven Basic Tools of Quality (also known as 7 QC Tools)
originated in Japan when the country was undergoing major
quality revolution and had become a mandatory topic as part of
Japanese’s industrial training program.
✘ These tools which comprised of simple graphical and statistical
techniques were helpful in solving critical quality related issues.

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 Seven Basic Quality Tools

OVERVIEW
✘ These tools were often referred as Seven Basics Tools of
Quality because these tools could be implemented by any person
with very basic training in statistics and were simple to apply to
solve quality-related complex issues.
✘ Today, these quality management tools are still considered the
gold standard for troubleshooting a variety of quality issues.
They’re frequently implemented in conjunction with today’s most
widely used process improvement methodologies, including
various phases of Six Sigma, TQM, continuous improvement
processes, and Lean management.
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 Seven Basic Quality Tools

MODULE OBJECTIVES
At the end of the module, the students are expected to:
Understand and learn the seven basic tools of quality
Learn the basic knowledge and skills in finding facts,
analyzing data, identifying quality problems, and
developing solutions using the appropriate tools.

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 Seven Basic Quality Tools

INTRODUCTION

Most organizations use quality tools for various purposes

related to controlling and assuring quality.
Although a good number of quality tools specific are
available for 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.
Let us have a look at the seven basic quality tools in brief.
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 Seven Basic Quality Tools

THE SEVEN BASIC QUALITY CONTROL TOOLS

Brief Description:
1) FLOW CHARTS -understanding the situation
2) CHECK SHEET AND CHECK LISTS –finding facts
3) PARETO DIAGRAM
4) HISTOGRAM –Identifying problems
5) FISHBONE DIAGRAM (CAUSE AND EFFECT DIAGRAM)
- generating ideas
1) SCATTER DIAGRAM –developing solutions
2) RUN CHART AND CONTROL CHARTS –implementation

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 Seven Basic Quality Tools

QC TOOL DESCRIPTION PURPOSE METHOD

Uses symbols to Visual “feel for Layout process steps
FLOW CHART
(alternatively, flow chart show steps in a complexity” using standardized
or run chart) process symbols
Forms of entering To collect data Design from for clarity
data under and ease of data
CHECK SHEET predetermined collection
categories
List of items that To record Simple “to do list” for
CHECK LIST are checked off progress checking off completion
upon completion of task identified.
A bar chart with Helps identify Frequencies are on left
percent arranged what category and cumulative percent
PARETO
so bars touch. Bars is most on right.
DIAGRAM are in descending significant
order from the left.
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 QC TOOL DESCRIPTION PURPOSE METHOD
Bar chart showing Shows patterns Draw bars touching to
data set into classesin dispersion of show pattern as a whole
(bars) of equal continuous data (that is of interest) not
HISTOGRAM width. Height of or large the individual classes.
bars shows quantity. discrete data
sets.
Shows cause and Aids in Fish’s head (main
effect relationships identifying activity) on right
FISHBONE root cause. represents the effect.
DIAGRAM Ribs contains major
process steps describing
the causes.
Data for x and y Shows if a Suspected cause should
variables are causal be on x–axis and the
SCATTER
entered as dots to relationship effect on y-axis .
DIAGRAM see if they from a exists between
pattern. variables.
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 Seven Basic Quality Tools

QC TOOL DESCRIPTION PURPOSE METHOD

Has x and y axes. Shows x-axis shows time and y-
Data values are direction axis shows the
RUN CHART shown as points (trend) and measurement scale.
connected by lines. change over
time.
Line graph with an Monitors an Separate types of
average line and ongoing process charts for continuous
CONTROL CHART control limit lines and detects and discrete data.
changes in
output.

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 Seven Basic Quality Tools

1. FLOW CHARTS
This is one of the basic quality tool 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
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process and the events involved in the critical path.

 Seven Basic Quality Tools

1. FLOW CHARTS
Flow charts can be used for any field to illustrate complex
processes in a simple way. There are specific software
tools developed for drawing flow charts, such as MS
Visio.

You can download some of the open source flow chart tools
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developed by the open source community.

 Seven Basic Quality Tools

1. FLOW CHARTS
Figure I. example of a flowchart

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 Seven Basic Quality Tools

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.
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Always, it should be two variables.

 Seven Basic Quality Tools

HISTOGRAM
2. 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.

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 Seven Basic Quality Tools

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
teamwork.
❑ A brainstorming session is required in order to come up with an
effective cause and effect15 diagram.
 Seven Basic Quality Tools

CAUSE AND EFFECT DIAGRAM

3. 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.

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Figure. Example of Fishbone / Cause and Effect diagram

 Seven Basic Quality Tools

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
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the information gathered is only used for backup or

storing purposes other than further processing.
 Seven Basic Quality Tools

4. CHECK SHEET
Figure. Example of a check sheet

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 Seven Basic Quality Tools

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 plane.
❑ Then, further analysis, such as trend analysis can be
performed on the values.
❑ In these diagrams, one variable denotes one axis and
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another variable denotes the other axis.

 Seven Basic Quality Tools

5. SCATTER DIAGRAM
Figure. Example of scatter diagram

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 Seven Basic Quality Tools

CONTROL CHARTS
6. 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 of common cause of variation
✓ Special conditions where the monitoring party
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needs to react
 Seven Basic Quality Tools

6. CONTROL CHARTS
Figure. Example of control chart

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 Seven Basic Quality Tools

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
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get the condition under control.

 Seven Basic Quality Tools

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
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get the condition under control.

 Seven Basic Quality Tools

7. PARETO CHARTS
Figure. Example of Pareto chart

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 Seven Basic Quality Tools

7. Constructing a Pareto Diagram

1. Develop a cumulative percent table. This is to be accomplished
before plotting the graph.

Cumulative
Problem Frequency Percentage
Example: Percentage
Long Waiting
25 48.08% 48.08%
DESCENDING
Time
Long Cycle
Time
10 19.23% 67.31%
High Defect
Rate
9 17.31% 84.62%
Extra
Processing
7 13.46% 98.08%
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Inventory 1 1.92% 100.00%

 Seven Basic Quality Tools

7. Constructing a Pareto Diagram

2. Next, a rough grid is to be
created to display the data
without too much distortion. The

Cumu. Percentage
Frequency
left side of the y-axis contains
the number of occurrences
which range from 0 to 300. The
right side of the axis is the
percentage ranging from 0% to
100%. 27
 Seven Basic Quality Tools

7. Constructing a Pareto Diagram

3. Next, “grid–in” the box to aid in drawing the bars. Label the x and
y axis as shown.
No. of Occurences

25 100%

20 80%

15 60%

10 40%

5 20%

Extra
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Long WT Long CT High DR Inventory

Processing
 Seven Basic Quality Tools

7. Constructing a Pareto Diagram

4. Now we have the framework to sketch in our data. Add the
appropriate bars, sample sizes percentages, and cumulative
percent value.
No. of Occurences

25 25 100%

20 80%

15 60%

10 10
9 40%
7
5 1 20%

Extra
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Long WT Long CT High DR Inventory

Processing
 Seven Basic Quality Tools

7. 5.
Constructing a Pareto Diagram
Then connect the cumulative percent with a line to produce the
final Pareto diagram.
No. of Occurences

25 25 100%

20 80%

15 60%

10 10
9 40%
7
5 1 20%

Extra
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Long WT Long CT High DR Inventory

Processing
 Seven Basic Quality Tools

7. Constructing a Pareto Diagram

6. Make sure that the categories are mutually exclusive.
7. Do not mix dissimilar categories.

Vital

“80/20
Few

Rule” Trivial Many

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 Seven Basic Quality Tools

ASSESSMENT / ACTIVITIES

Exercises :
2. Prepare a “cause and effect diagram” to analyze the possible
late delivery of shipment from a supplier.

2. Construct a Pareto diagram for replacement parts for an

electric stove. Six month’s data are: oven door, 193; timer, 53;
front burners, 460; rear burners, 290; burner control, 135;
drawer rollers, 46; other, 84; and oven regulators, 265.
Evaluate your findings.

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 END OF LESSON 9
Seven Basic Quality Tools

Prepared By: Engr. Romeo G. Ilagan 33