Seven Quality Control Tools:

The seven quality control tools widely used are:

(i) Check Sheets:
A check sheet provides a method for viewing data
as it is being collected. It is a form designed to
collect data in a systematic and consistent manner.
The most common type of check sheet consists of
checking the appropriate interval in which an
observation falls as it is being observed. As the
number of checks increases, the distribution of the
data becomes evident. The check sheet presented at
Fig 1 illustrated the number of phone calls
answered by various employees of a company on a
particular day during a given interval of time.
Employees Talleys
A
B
C
D

Fig 1: A Check sheet

 (ii) Histograms:
A histogram is prepared by dividing the data-range into
sub-groups in intervals and then plotting the frequency of
data against the values of the data grouped in intervals, as
shown in Fig 2.
Frequency of Data

1 2 3 4 5 6
Time
Fig 2: A Histogram
 (iii) Graphs and charts:
They represent data pictorially so that the overall situation can be
understood easily. Following are the advantages of graphs and charts
Since it is visual, therefore it makes the information easier to
remember.
It helps the user to pick out trends, pattern and other characteristics.
The graphs and charts are widely used in
Explanation defect ratio, productivity, the increase in
the ratio of sales turnover.
Understanding past and present data analysis
Control production level, sales turnover, defect ratio,

measurement, weight, temperature etc.,

Planning daily planning etc.,
Calculation control limit values etc.,
Fig 3. shows different types of graphs

(a) Bar Graph (b) Line Graph

C Z X

B A Y

(c) Triangle Graph (d) Area Graph

 (iv) Scatter Diagram:
Scatter diagram is prepared by plotting
paired set of data such as advertising expenditure
of a company and its sales against each other on X
and Y axes. It is used to investigate whether a
relationship exist between two characteristics (one
independent and other dependent) and if
relationship exists then what is the kind of
relationship. Fig 3 shows a scatter diagram.
 Y

Sales

X
Advertising Expenditure

Fig 4: Scatter diagram showing a positive correlation

between two variables, Sales and Advertising Expenditure
 (v) Pareto Diagram:

The Pareto diagram is based on the Pareto principle

or 80/20 rules, which states that 80% of the problems can
be attributed to 20% of the causes. Hence, the Pareto chart
identifies the cause of the majority of problems
i.e. the vital few distinct from the trivial many.
Pareto diagram has two vertical axes. One ranges
from 0 to the total number of observations, the other has
a scale from 0 to 100%. The horizontal axis is divided in
to the number of complaints.
60 100
90
50
80

40 70
60
30 50
40
20
30
20
10
10

A B C D E

Fig 5: Construction of Pareto diagram

 (vi) Cause and - Effect diagram:
A Cause and - Effect diagram, also known as
Ishikawa or Fishbone diagram, Shows a relation ship
between a quality characteristics and factors affecting
quality.
It is a geographical tool, which shows the
relationship between causes and effects. Its main purpose
is to help identify the root cause of a problem. The
construction of a diagram begins with brainstorming,
during which all factors affecting the quality
characteristics or problem being considered are listed.
Fig 6: shows the application of a Cause and - Effect
diagram to the poor mileage of a vehicle
 Method Man power

Poor training
Impatience No
Drive too fast awareness
Half clutch
Drive Poor Driving
Use wrong Habits Poor
Gears Maintenance
Poor
Mileage

No oil Carburator
Improper
change Adjustment Poor
Lubrication
design
Fuel
Wrong oil Wrong Less tyre
mixture
Octane pressure

Material Machinery
CAUSE EFFECT

Fig 6: Cause and effect diagram for poor mileage of a vehicle

(vii) Control charts:

Control chart is plot of quality characteristics value

against time. The quality characteristic may be either
variable like diameter, thickness, length etc., or attributes
like number of defects in the form of small or big holes on
the piece of cloth. Control chart is a very important
graphic tool to depict occurrence of defects and whether a
process is under statistical control or not.
For variable quality characteristics X and R charts
are used for attribute quality characteristic p, np, c and u
charts are used. Fig 7 depicts a variable control chart
 Upper Control Limit (UCL)

Quality Central line Average

Characteristic
Values

Lower Control Limit (LCL)

Period

Fig 7: Control Chart: a general frame work

 SEVEN NEW MANAGEMENT
TOOLS
AFFINITY DIAGRAM
RELATIONSHIP DIAGRAM
TREE DIAGRAM
MATRIX DIAGRAM
DECISION TREE
ARROW DIAGRAM
MATRIX DATA ANALYSIS DIAGRAM
 AFFINITY DIAGRAM
IS A TOOL TO COLLECT A LARGE AMOUNT
OF VERBAL EXPRESSION AND ORGANISE
THEM IN A GROUP ACCORDING TO
NATURAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
INDIVIDUAL
 RELATIONSHIP DIAGRAM
IS A TOOL FOR FINDING CAUSE TO THE
PROBLEM
 TREE DIAGRAM
ITS SYSTEMATICALLY BREAKDOWN A TOPIC INTO
ITS COMPONENT ELEMENTS, AND SHOW LOGICAL
AND SEQUENTIAL LINKS BETWEEN THESE
ELEMENTS.
 MATRIX DIAGRAM
ITS A TOOL USED TO SYSTEMATICALLY ORGANISE
INFORMATION THAT MUST BE COMPARED ON A
VARIETY OF CHARACTERISTICS IN ORDER TO MAKE
A COMPARISION
 DECISION TREE
IS A PLANNING TOOL TO OUTLINE
EVERY CONCEIVABLE AND LIKELY
OCCURANCE IN ANY PLANNING
 ARROW DIAGRAM
GRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION OF SEQUENTIAL STEPS
THAT HAS TO BE FOLLOWED FOR COMPLETION OF
THE PROJECT.