The New Seven Q.C.

Tools

Pradeep Kumar
Associate Professor
IIT Roorkee
Need for the
New Seven Q.C. Tools
 Japanese felt that managers should not only know the
elementary statistical system but also sophisticated
techniques

 The practice of TQC not only requires numerical data but

also verbal data or verbal communication, which may not be
computable

 There should be suitable methods to process these

information with a view to arriving at a complete plan
History of the
New Seven Q.C. Tools
 Committee of J.U.S.E.* - 1972
 Aim was to develop more QC techniques for
use by managerial level staff
 Work in conjunction with original Basic Seven
Tools
 New set of methods (N7) - 1977

*Japanese Union of Scientist and Engineers

History of the
New Seven Q.C. Tools

 Developed
to organize verbal data
diagrammatically.
 Basic
7 tools effective for data analysis,
process control, and quality
improvement (numerical data)
 Used together increases TQM
effectiveness
What are the
Basic Seven Q.C. Tools?
 Flow Charts
 Run Charts
 Histograms

 Pareto Diagrams
 Cause and Effect Diagrams
 Scatter Diagrams

 Control Charts
What are the
New Seven Q.C. Tools
 Affinity Diagrams ( K. J. Method)
 Relations Diagrams
 Tree Diagrams
 Matrix Diagrams
 Arrow Diagrams
 Process Decision Program Charts
 Matrix Data Analysis
Relation Between New Seven
Q.C. Tools and Basic Seven
Tools
FACTS
Data

Numerical Data Verbal Data

Define problem after Define problem before
collecting numerical data collecting numerical data

The Basic Seven Tools The Seven New Tools

•Analytical approach •Generate Ideas

Organize •Formulate plans

Information
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Affinity Diagrams
For Pinpointing the Problem in a Chaotic
Situation and Generating Solution Strategies
 Creative process used by a group to gather

and organize verbal data (ideas, opinions, issues)

 Organizes the data into groups based on
natural relationship
 Makes it feasible for further analysis and to
find a solution to the problem.
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Affinity Diagrams
Constructing an Affinity Diagram
Group Method Approach
 Select a topic
 Collect verbal data by brainstorming
 Discuss collected info until everyone
understands it thoroughly
 Write each item on separate data card
 Spread out all cards on table
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Affinity Diagrams
Constructing an Affinity Diagram
Group Method Approach (cont.)
 Move data cards into groups of similar
themes (natural affinity for each other)
 Create a title for each group
 Draw the affinity diagram

 Presents the results

New Seven Q.C. Tools
Affinity Diagrams
Completing an Affinity Diagram

Topic
Affinity Statement Affinity Statement Affinity Statement
Data Card Data Card Data Card Data Card Data Card Data Card

Data Card Data Card Data Card Data Card Data Card Data Card

Data Card Data Card

Affinity Statement
Data Card Data Card

Data Card

Source: Nayatani, Y., The Seven New QC Tools (Tokyo, Japan, 3A Corporation, 1984)
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Affinity Diagrams
Advantages of Affinity Diagrams
 Facilitates breakthrough thinking and
stimulate fresh ideas
 Permits the problem to be pinned down
accurately
 Ensures everyone clearly recognizes the
problem
 Incorporates opinions of entire group
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Affinity Diagrams
Advantages of Affinity Diagrams
 Fosters team spirit

 Raises everyone’s level of awareness

 Encourages the group into action
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Relations Diagrams
 Relations Diagram, is a tool for finding solution to
problems that have complex causal relationship.

 Resolves tangled issues by untying the

logical connection
 Allows for “Multi-directional” thinking
rather than linear thinking
 Also known as Interrelationship
diagrams
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Relations Diagrams
Constructing a Relations Diagram
Group Method Approach
 Express the problem in form of “Why
isn’t something happening?”
 Each member lists 5 causes affecting problem

 Write each item on a card

 Discuss info collected until everyone
understands it thoroughly
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Relations Diagrams
Constructing a Relations Diagram
Group Method Approach (cont.)
 Move cards into similar groups
 Asking why, explore the cause-effect
relationships, and divide the cards into
primary, secondary and tertiary causes
 Connect all cards by these relationships
 Further discuss until all possible causes
have been identified
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Relations Diagrams
Constructing a Relations Diagram
Group Method Approach (cont.)
 Review whole diagram looking for
relationships among causes
 Connect all related groups
Next, complete the diagram
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Relations Diagrams
Completing a Relations Diagram
Tertiary Tertiary
Cause Secondary Cause
Primary Cause Cause

Primary Cause Tertiary

Secondary Cause
Cause Why doesn’t
X happen? Secondary
Cause

Primary Cause Primary Cause

6th level
Secondary
Cause
Tertiary Cause
Cause Tertiary
Secondary
Cause
Cause 4th level
4th level 5th level
Cause Cause Cause
Source: Nayatani, Y., The Seven New QC Tools (Tokyo, Japan, 3A Corporation, 1984)
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Relations Diagrams
Advantages of Relations Diagrams
 Useful at planning stage for obtaining
perspective on overall situation
 Facilitates consensus among team
 Enables priorities to be identified
accurately
 Makes the problem recognizable by
clarifying the relationships among causes
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Tree Diagrams
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.
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Tree Diagrams
For Systematically Pursuing the Best Strategies
for Attaining an Objective
 Develops a succession of strategies for
achieving objectives
 Reveals methods to achieve the results.
 Alsoknown as Systematic diagrams or
Dendrograms
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Tree Diagrams
Constructing a Tree Diagram
Group Method Approach
 Write Relations Diagram topic (Objective
card)
 Identify constraints on how objective can
be achieved
 Discuss means of achieving objective
(primary means, first level strategy)
 Take each primary mean, write ob-jective
for achieving it (secondary means)
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Tree Diagrams
Constructing an Tree Diagram
Group Method Approach (cont.)
 Continue to expand to the fourth level
 Review each system of means in both
directions (from objective to means and means to
objective)
 Add more cards if needed
 Connect all levels

Next, complete the diagram

New Seven Q.C. Tools
Tree Diagrams
Completing a Tree Diagram 4th means

3rd means 4th means

Secondary means
3rd means 4th means
Primary means 4th means
3rd means
4th means
3rd means
Secondary means
To 4th means
Accomplish 4th means

3rd means 4th means

Secondary means 3rd means 4th means

4th means
Primary means
3rd means 4th means
Constraints
Secondary means 3rd means 4th means
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Tree Diagrams
Advantages of Tree Diagrams
 Systematic and logical approach - less
likely that items are omitted
 Facilitates agreement among team
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Matrix Diagrams
In the strategic quality planning process, we typically
see interrelated factors. Hence, a change in one factor
will often affect others.

Therefore, we must address trade-offs. We must

discover factor relationships critical to our strategic plan
as soon as possible, in order to deal with them in a
timely fashion.

The matrix diagram offers us a versatile, graphical tool

to facilitate both discovery and trade-offs. The matrix
diagram is designed to facilitate the identification of
relationships between two or more sets of factors.
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Matrix Diagrams
For Clarifying Problems by “Thinking
Multidimensionally”
 Consistsof a two-dimensional array to
determine location and nature of
problem
 Discovers key ideas by relationships
represented by the cells in matrix.
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Matrix Diagrams
 Applied when:
interrelationship of the following need to be
presented
 Effects & causes
 Objectives & methods
 People & functions
interrelationship need to be characterized
 Exists or does not exist
 Strong, medium, weak
 type
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Matrix Diagrams
Constructing a Matrix Diagram

 Write final-level means from Tree

diagram forming vertical axis
 Write in Evaluation categories (efficacy, practicability,
and rank) on horizontal axis.

 Examine final-level means to identify who

will implement them
 Write names along horizontal axis
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Matrix Diagrams
Constructing a Matrix Diagram (cont.)
 Label group of columns as “Responsibilities”
 Label right-hand end of horizontal axis
as “Remarks”
 Examine each cell and insert the
appropriate symbol:
Efficacy: O=good, =satisfactory, X=none
Practicability: O=good,=satisfactory, X=none
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Matrix Diagrams
Constructing a Matrix Diagram (cont.)
 Determine score for each combination of
symbols, record in rank column
 Examine cells under Responsibility
Columns, insert double-circle for
Principal and single-circle for Subsidiary
 Fill out remarks column and record
meanings of symbol
Next, complete the diagram
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Matrix Diagrams
Completing a Matrix Diagram
O O =1 O =4 Principal
O =2 O X =5 O Subsidiary

Q C c ir c le s u p p o r t e r
=3 X =6
Eva lua tion Responsibilitie s

S it e Q C c ir c le

S e c t io n /P la n t

S e c t io n /P la n t
P r a c t ic a b ilit y

M anager
Re ma rks

M em ber
E f f ic a c y

Leader
Rank
4th level means
from Tree diagram O O 1 O
4th level means
from Tree diagram O O 1 O Hold 4 times/month
4th level means
from Tree diagram O 3 O At every meeting
4th level means
from Tree diagram O 2 O
4th level means
from Tree diagram O X 5 O At least 3 times/year/person
4th level means
from Tree diagram O O 1 O O
4th level means
from Tree diagram 4 O
4th level means
from Tree diagram O 2 O
4th level means
from Tree diagram O O 1 O
4th level means
from Tree diagram O O 1 O
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Matrix Diagrams
Advantages of Matrix Diagrams
 Enable data or ideas based on extensive
experience
 Clarifies relationships among different
elements
 Makes overall structure of problem
immediately obvious
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Arrow Diagrams
For Working Out Optimal Schedules and
Controlling Them Effectively
 Shows relationships among tasks
needed to implement a plan
 Network technique using nodes for
events and arrows for activities
 Used in PERT (Program Evaluation and Review
Technique) and CPM (Critical Path Method)
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Arrow Diagrams
Constructing an Arrow Diagram
 From strategies, select one (Objective of
Arrow Diagram)
 Identify constraints to Objective
 List all activities necessary to achieving
Objective
 Write all essential activities on separate
cards
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Arrow Diagrams
Constructing an Arrow Diagram (cont.)
 Organize cards in sequential order of
activities
 Remove any duplicate activities
 Review order of activities, find sequence
with greatest amount of activities

 Arrange parallel activities

New Seven Q.C. Tools
Arrow Diagrams
Constructing an Arrow Diagram (cont.)
 Examine path, number nodes in
sequence from left to right
 Record names and other necessary
information
Next, complete the diagram
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Arrow Diagrams
Completing an Arrow Diagram
Strategy Constraints

4 12

1 2 3 5 9 10 13
Activity

6 8 11

7
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Arrow Diagrams
Advantages of Arrow Diagrams
 Allows overall task to viewed and potential
problems to be identified before work starts
 Leads to discovery of possible improvements
 Makes it easy to monitor progress of work
 Deals promptly with changes to plan
 Improves communication among team
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Arrow Diagrams
Advantages of Arrow Diagrams (cont.)
 Promotes understanding and agreement

among group
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Process Decisions Program
Charts

The Process Decision Program Chart (PDPC) is a very

useful and powerful method to overcome a problem
or a goal to be achieved. 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.
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Process Decisions Program
Charts
For Producing the Desired Result from Many
Possible Outcomes
 Used to plan various contingencies
 Used for getting activities back on track
 Steers events in required direction if
unanticipated problems occur
 Findsfeasible counter measures to
overcome problems
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Process Decisions Program
Charts
Constructing a PDPC
 Select a highly effective, but difficult
strategy from the Tree diagram
 Decide on a goal (most desirable outcome)
 Identify existing situation (Starting point)
 Identify constraints of objective
 List activities to reach goal and potential
problems with each activity
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Process Decisions Program
Charts
Constructing an PDPC (cont.)
 Review list. Add extra activities or
problems not thought of previously
 Prepare contingency plan for each step
and review what action is needed if step
is not achieved
 Examine carefully to check for
inconsistencies and all important factors
are included
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Process Decisions Program
Charts
Constructing an PDPC (cont.)
 Examine to make sure all contingency
plans are adequate
Next, complete the diagram
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Process Decisions Program
Charts
Completing a PDPC
Start

NO
NO NO
NO
YES YES NO NO

YES

NO

GOAL
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Process Decisions Program
Charts
Advantages of Process Decisions Program Charts (PDPC’s)

 Facilitates forecasting
 Uses past to anticipate contingencies
 Enables problems to pinpointed
 Illustrates how events will be directed to
successful conclusion
 Enables those involved to understand
decision-makers intentions
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Matrix Data Analysis
Principal Component Analysis
 Technique quantifies and arranges data
presented in Matrix
 Based solely on numerical data
 Findsindicators that differentiate and
attempt to clarify large amount of
information
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Matrix Data Analysis
Advantages of Principal Component Analysis
 Can be used in various fields (market surveys,
new product planning, process analysis)
 Can be used when Matrix diagram does
not give sufficient information
 Useful as Prioritization Grid
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Matrix Data Analysis
Constructing a Prioritization Grid
 Determine your goal, your alternatives,
and criteria for decision
 Place selection in order of importance
 Apply percentage weight to each option (all
weights should add up to 1)
 Sum individual ratings to establish
overall ranking (Divide by number of options
for average ranking)
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Matrix Data Analysis
Constructing a Prioritization Grid (cont.)
 Rank order each option with respect to
criterion (Average the rankings and apply a completed
ranking)
 Multiply weight by associated rank in
Matrix (in example, 4 is best, 1 is worst)
 Result is Importance Score
 Add up Importance Scores for each
option
New Seven Q.C. Tools
Matrix Data Analysis
Constructing a Prioritization Grid (cont.)
 Rank order the alternatives according to
importance

See completed the diagram

New Seven Q.C. Tools
Matrix Data Analysis
Completing a Prioritization Grid
Criteria Customer Acceptance Strength Importance Option
(most important) Cost Reliability (least important) Sum Score Ranking
Options
Design A
Percentage weight .40 .30 .20 .10
Rank 4 3 3 1
Importance score 1.6 .90 .60 .10 3.2 1 (tie)
Design B
Percentage weight .30 .40 .10 .20
Rank 3 4 1 2
Importance score .90 1.6 .10 .40 3.0 2
Design C
Percentage weight .25 .25 .25 .25
Rank 1 2 4 3
Importance score .25 .50 1 .75 2.5 3
Design D
Percentage weight 0.3 .10 .20 .40
Rank 3 1 3 4
Importance score .90 .10 .60 1.6 3.2 1 (tie)
Sum of weights 1.25 1.05 .75 .95
Average weight .31 .26 .19 .24
Criterion Ranking 1 2 4 3
Source: Foster, S., Managing Quality (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2001)
Summary
New Seven Q.C. Tools

Benefits of New Seven Q.C. Tools

1- Provide Training in Thinking
2- Raise People’s Problem Solving Confidence
3- Increase People’s Ability to Predict Future Events

Roles of New Seven Q.C. Tools

1- Express verbal data diagrammatically
2- Make information visible
3- Organize information intelligibly
4- Clarify overall picture and fine details
5- Get more people involved
Thank You