QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY, SUSTAINABILITY &

IMPROVEMENT
BUSN 321
Fall 2019-2020
Assignment

"The Tools of Quality"

Submitted to
Dr. Nitin Kumar Upadhye
Submitted by
Jubira Mohammed Saeed Al Odaili Al Ameri

ID: # S0000001925
 Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Seven Basic Tools of Quality..........................................................................................................4
Cause and effect diagram:............................................................................................................4
Run Chart:....................................................................................................................................5
Control Chart:..............................................................................................................................5
Histogram:....................................................................................................................................6
Pareto Chart:................................................................................................................................6
Scatter Diagram:..........................................................................................................................7
Flowchart:....................................................................................................................................7
The new seven tools of Quality.......................................................................................................8
Affinity Diagram or KJ Method...................................................................................................8
Relations Diagram or Interrelation Digraph................................................................................8
Systematic Diagram or Dendrogram (Tree Diagram)..................................................................9
Matrix Data Analysis...................................................................................................................9
Matrix Diagram..........................................................................................................................10
Process Decision Programme Chart (PDPC).............................................................................10
Arrow Diagram or Activity Network Diagram or Project Evaluation and Review Technique
(PERT) or Critical Path Method (CPM)....................................................................................11
Relation between New Seven Q.C. Tools and Basic Seven Tools................................................12
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................13
Bibliography..................................................................................................................................14

2
Introduction
“Quality is a very important quality for successful businesses to uphold. It is vital that customers
are given products and services that are helpful for them and therefore worth every penny they
pay. In order to be successful in business, you need to remember that customer satisfaction is
always the most important goal.”[ CITATION Ave17 \l 1033 ]

“7 QC tools can be applied across any industry starting from product development phase till
delivery. 7QC tools even today own the same popularity and are extensively used in various
phases of Six Sigma DMAIC or DMADV, in continuous improvement process (PDCA cycle)
and Lean management removing wastes from process.”[ CITATION Sev17 \l 1033 ]

“To ensure the best possible products and services are sold to customers at a consistent level,
businesses should take control and monitoring measures. It is also crucial to use the 7 basic
quality control tools. These implements can help maintain the consistency of the products and
services being produced. Cause-and-effect diagrams, Check sheets, Control charts, Histograms,
Pareto charts, Scatter diagrams, and Stratification.”[ CITATION Ave17 \l 1033 ]

3
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. 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.”[ CITATION Sev17 \l 1033 ]

“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.”[ CITATION Tut17 \l 1033 ]

Cause and effect diagram:

“One of the most basic quality tools is the cause and effect
diagram. This is also referred to as the fishbone diagram or
Ishikawa diagram. This helps employees discover the possible
causes of problems or the factors that affect a desired outcome
or goal. Each fishbone in the diagram represents a
category.”[ CITATION Ave17 \l 1033 ]

“It is popularly known as Fishbone diagram as it looks like a

fishbone or sometimes known as Ishikawa’s diagram. It is
frequently used to find the root causes of the defects. Whether
the main issues are from hardware or it is from the software.
Whether the problem is from management or the problem is from skill set of the people. By
analyzing these you can get the root cause of the defects, that’s why it is also known as root
cause analysis. If you are managing a long term project you should use this quality tool at the
utmost.”[CITATION Pra12 \l 1033 ]

4
Run Chart:

“It shows the trends of variations. If you need to assess the variable
you need to check your progress chart. You have to see the patterns
of the variations.”[ CITATION Pra12 \l 1033 ]

“A check sheet is the second of the 7 basic quality tools. This chart
is used for collecting data in the present time and in the actual
location of the data. The chart is useful for both quantitative and
qualitative data. When quantitative data is being obtained, it is
referred to as the tally sheet. Basic formats are followed that entail
proper placement of pertinent information like who, what, when, where, and why. It can be used
as a measure of probability distribution, as a checklist, and to quantify defects.”[ CITATION
Ave17 \l 1033 ]

Control Chart:
“Companies also often use a control chart when it comes to
quality improvement. This chart is used for monitoring and
ensuring statistical control. It will have certain measurements
and limits, and when the measurements go beyond limits, this
will signal a variation. The chart is also useful for tracing the
cause of any possible variation.”[ CITATION Ave17 \l 1033 ]

“It is not possible to standardize the sizes, weights of the

deliverables. Instead you can decide your upper limit and lower
limit of acceptance. That upper and lower control limit is decided by project manager and other
stakeholders. If the variables are within the limit, the project will be treated in control. There is a
line in the middle of the control chart which is known as ‘mean’. It represents the middle of the
range of an acceptable variation. If seven variables are found in one side of the mean, it is known
as rule of seven and the project will be treated as out of control. There is also upper and lower
specification limit which are decided by the end customers only.”[CITATION Pra12 \l 1033 ]

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Histogram:
“It is a graphical representation showing a visual impression of the
distribution of data. It displays data in the form of bars and
columns. It shows what problems are in your project.”[CITATION
Pra12 \l 1033 ]

“Histograms are also used often. The histogram is used for

showing a probability distribution graphically. The distribution of the collected data would be
presented in the graph form. It can also be used to show frequency of certain categories or
factors.”[ CITATION Ave17 \l 1033 ]

Pareto Chart:

“The Pareto chart is among one of the most beneficial basic

quality tools used by companies. This is a way of prioritizing
the most important issues or factors that affect a business.
This chart employs both a line and a bar graph and has two
vertical axes.”[ CITATION Ave17 \l 1033 ]

“80% of problems are due to 20% of the root causes. It is

like prioritizing the defects. Search for the main reason and
try to reduce the maximum problems. This is frequently used
when you are in hurry and you have to reduce the defects… as a project manager you should
know by which factors you are getting more problems and document it and try to find out a way
to remove these defects as by removing the same defects you will be able to reduce maximum
problems. It is based on the Joseph Juran’s 80/20 principle. Pareto recommends that this tool can
be very useful if you are getting many errors frequently. As a project manager you should detect
an error which can resolve your maximum problems.”[CITATION Pra12 \l 1033 ]

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Scatter Diagram:

“The scatter diagram is a vital quality tool, as well. It is

used for showing a relationship between two factors;
either causation or correlation. It can also show a degree
of correlation through the measurement of the
slope.”[ CITATION Ave17 \l 1033 ]

“It is like trying to trace the relation between two

variables. Like due to one defect another defect is
created maintaining a relationship. Apart from the above-mentioned tools there are some other
tools available that can be used as a quality tool like statistical sampling. It is frequently used
when you are working on a bulk volume where time does not permit you to cross check each and
every deliverables. To save money on your project and time consuming on your project, you
picked randomly few deliverables and check the quality of those deliverables. If it is up to the
mark, the entire lot could be delivered.”[ CITATION Pra12 \l 1033 ]

Flowchart:

“It shows how the systems or processes flow from

beginning to end and how are they related to each other.
Through it you can assess a particular process and
analyze the potential quality problems. It is an important
tool to be used in so many project management
activities.”[ CITATION Pra12 \l 1033 ]

“Stratification is the final of the seven basic quality

control tools that can also be used. This technique is
used for categorizing data systematically.”[ CITATION
Ave17 \l 1033 ]

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The new seven tools of Quality
Affinity Diagram or KJ Method

“Affinity diagram is a tool/method that gathers large amounts of intertwined verbal data ideas,
opinions, issues etc. It organizes the verbal data into groups based on natural relationship. Such
formation of distinct groups helps a meaningful picture to emerge, thereby making it feasible for
further analysis and to find a solution to the problem.”[ CITATION NEW17 \l 1033 ]

Relations Diagram or Interrelation Digraph

“Relations Diagram also known as Interrelationship digraph is a tool for finding solution to
problems that have complex causal relationship. This helps to untangle and find the logical
relations among the intertwined causes and effects. It is a creative process which allows for
'Multi-directional' rather than 'linear' thinking to be used.”[ CITATION NEW17 \l 1033 ]

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Systematic Diagram or Dendrogram (Tree Diagram)

“Tree Diagram is a technique for mapping out full range of paths and tasks that need to be done
in order to achieve a primary goal and related sub goals. Such a diagram reveals in a simple way
with clarity not only the magnitude of the problem but also helps to arrive at methods which are
to be pursued to achieve the results. In other words, it serves the purpose of developing the
essential means to achieve an objective or goal.”[ CITATION NEW17 \l 1033 ]

Matrix Data Analysis

“Matrix Data Analysis is a multivariate analysis technique called 'Principal Component

Analysis'. This technique quantifies and arranges data presented in a Matrix Diagram, to find
more general indicators that would differentiate and give clarity to large amount of complexly
intertwined information. This will help us to visualise properly and get an insight into the
situations.”[ CITATION NEW17 \l 1033 ]

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Matrix Diagram

“A Matrix Diagram consists of a number of columns and rows whose intersections are checked
up, to find out the nature and strength of the problem which help us to arrive at key ideas and
analyzing the relationship or its absence at the intersection and finding an effective way of
pursuing the problem solving method. This enables conception of ideas on two dimensional
relationship basis. The intersection points are also called idea conception points.”[ CITATION
NEW17 \l 1033 ]

Process Decision Programme Chart (PDPC)

“The Process Decision Programme Chart (PDPC) is a very useful and powerful method to
overcome a problem or a goal to be achieved which are not familiar. With the help of PDPC we
can map out all the conceivable events or contingencies that can occur in the implementation
stage and also find out feasible counter measures to overcome these problems.”[ CITATION NEW17
\l 1033 ]

10
Arrow Diagram or Activity Network Diagram or Project Evaluation and
Review Technique (PERT) or Critical Path Method (CPM)

“It is a network technique using nodes for events and arrows for activities for project planning,
scheduling and monitoring. This is a very useful tool when we want to plan the activities of a
known but a complex task or project. With the help of this tool we can workout an ideal project
plan and also daily plan for not only to the main task but also for the other allied tasks and
monitor their progress in an effective manner.”[ CITATION NEW17 \l 1033 ]

11
Relation between New Seven Q.C. Tools and Basic Seven Tools

12
Conclusion
“These 7 basic quality control tools are very useful for businesses and something that every
business owner should be familiar with. It is crucial for businesses to make the most out of these
statistical methods; it will help in optimizing efficiency and use of resources in order to yield
consistently high profits and successful processes.”[ CITATION Ave17 \l 1033 ]

“Failure to continually improve your processes, service and product quality will at some point
result in the demise of your livelihood! There is always someone out there trying to compete
with you by being cheaper, quicker, better, or more reliable, sooner or later they will take your
business if you don’t improve your processes! This is why continuous quality improvement is so
important to your business.”[ CITATION Ton16 \l 1033 ]

“As mentioned earlier these new seven tools are very useful to top and middle management for
strategic planning, goal setting and problem solving. But these tools are not replacement to old
seven tools. The knowledge of basic seven tools is a must for every person from top management
to grass root level employees.”[ CITATION NEW17 \l 1033 ]

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Bibliography
NEW SEVEN TOOLS. (2017). Retrieved November 24, 2017, from http://www.geocities.ws:
http://www.geocities.ws/parthadeb/new7tools.html

Seven Basic Tools of Quality. (2017). Retrieved November 24, 2017, from
http://www.whatissixsigma.net: http://www.whatissixsigma.net/7-qc-tools/

Aveta. (2017). The 7 Basic Quality Control Tools. Retrieved November 24, 2017, from
https://www.sixsigmaonline.org: https://www.sixsigmaonline.org/six-sigma-training-
certification-information/the-7-basic-quality-control-tools/

Dwevedi, P. (2012, September 21). Ishikawa’s seven basic tools of quality: An important asset
to control quality in your project. Retrieved November 24, 2017, from
https://www.simplilearn.com: https://www.simplilearn.com/basic-tools-of-quality-article

Tony. (2016, April 25). 7 Tools for Continuous Quality Improvement. Retrieved November 24,
2017, from https://toughnickel.com: https://toughnickel.com/business/Continuous-
quality-Improvement-Quality-Tools

Tutorialspoint.com. (2017, August 15). Basic Quality Tools. Retrieved November 24, 2017, from
https://www.tutorialspoint.com:
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/management_concepts/basic_quality_tools.htm

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