1.5 - About University

The QualityTool What it is and what it is useful for: What it looks like:Run Chart• Identifies trends by tracking a quality measure over a periodof time.• Is usually tracked against a standard.• Makes it easier to visualize trends and detectproblems.Pareto Chart/Diagram• A straightforward bar graph that tracks a qualitymeasure by cause(s), source, or type.• Highlights what to work on.Mears, p. 62Check Sheet• A straightforward way to collect information inpreparation for analysis.• Highlights what to work on.Mears, p. 36, “Purchasing Problems”Flowchart• Maps a process in a common format.• Is used to identify trouble spots or non-value-adding stepsand to plan improvement, particularlysimplification.Mears, p. 25, “Defective Item Check Sheet”Mears, p. 20, “Burger Cooking Flowchart”Cause–Effect orFishboneDiagram• Clearly shows the relationships between effects and multiplecauses.• Is particularly useful when the situation is messy andcomplex.Scatter Diagramor CorrelationChart• Used to test how two quality measures are related.• Can help point out (rule out) cause–effectrelationships.Mears, p. 55, “Quality Copies”Mears p. 58, “Scatter Diagram”224 SECTION 7 TOOLS FOR PROBLEM SOLVING, DECISION MAKING, AND QUALITY