7 QC Tools
The 7 Quality Control (QC) Tools are a set of fundamental techniques used in quality management to identify and
resolve issues, improve processes, and enhance the overall product or service quality. These tools are simple yet
effective in addressing a wide range of quality problems. Here's a brief description of each of the 7 QC tools:
1. Cause-and-Effect Diagram (Fishbone or Ishikawa Diagram):
o Purpose: Identifies the root causes of a problem.
o Description: A visual tool that helps organize potential causes of a specific problem or effect. It
resembles a fishbone structure, with the "head" representing the problem and the "bones"
representing categories of causes (e.g., people, processes, materials, environment, etc.). This
diagram is particularly helpful in problem-solving and process improvement.
2. Check Sheet:
o Purpose: Collects and organizes data.
o Description: A simple data recording tool used to collect information in a structured and systematic
manner. It is often used to track occurrences of problems or defects over time or across different
categories. This data can later be analysed to identify patterns or trends.
3. Control Chart:
o Purpose: Monitors process stability and variation over time.
o Description: A graphical representation of data over time, displaying upper and lower control limits.
It helps to distinguish between normal (common cause) variation and abnormal (special cause)
variation in a process. The control chart is widely used in statistical process control (SPC) to ensure
that a process remains within acceptable limits.
4. Histogram:
o Purpose: Displays the distribution of data.
o Description: A bar graph that shows the frequency distribution of a set of continuous data. It
provides a visual understanding of how data points are spread out, helping to identify patterns such
as skewness, normal distribution, or outliers. Histograms are often used for analyzing the distribution
of defects or product characteristics.
5. Pareto Chart:
o Purpose: Identifies the most important factors in a dataset.
o Description: A bar graph that sorts data in descending order of frequency or significance, combined
with a cumulative line. Based on the Pareto principle (80/20 rule), it helps to identify the few critical
factors that contribute most to the problem, enabling teams to focus on the most impactful issues.
6. Scatter Diagram (Scatter Plot):
o Purpose: Shows the relationship between two variables.
o Description: A graphical tool used to plot two variables to visually assess whether there is a
correlation or relationship between them. A scatter plot can help identify patterns, trends, or
potential causal relationships. It is useful for identifying whether changes in one variable are
associated with changes in another.
7. Flowchart:
o Purpose: Visualizes a process or system.
o Description: A diagram that represents the sequence of steps or activities within a process.
Flowcharts use standardized symbols (e.g., rectangles for processes, diamonds for decisions) to
depict the flow of work, information, or materials. This tool is effective in understanding,
documenting, and analyzing workflows, which can help in process optimization and problem-solving.
Summary:
These seven tools are fundamental in quality control and improvement efforts. They assist in problem identification,
data collection, process monitoring, and decision-making. By employing these tools, organizations can identify
inefficiencies, reduce defects, and improve overall quality management processes.
