Tools and Techniques

Various tools and techniques

Let’s discuss the various tools and techniques.

Flowchart

  • Flowcharting can be a helpful tool for outlining the steps. Moreover, after finishing it, be sure to obtain consensus from the group. Above all, use of Flowchart is for developing process maps.
  • Moreover, a process map is a graphical representation of a process that displays the sequence of tasks using flowcharting symbols.
  • And, flowchart includes symbols that ANSI provides. The common symbols are,

tools and techniques functions

Check Sheets

  • They consist of lists of items and are an indicator of how often each item on the list occurs. It is also known as confirmation check sheets.
  • Moreover, it is a simple tool for process improvement and problem-solving that can also highlight items during data collection.
  • Check Sheets is of two types,
1.Location or concentration diagram 
  • In it the marking is done on a diagram like before submitting car to a service center, a car diagram is used to list defects at present by marking and writing on the diagram.
2.Graphical or Distribution check sheet –
  • It is for collecting frequency by marking to visualize the distribution of the data as shown in the diagram below,

Image 69

Histograms

  • The histogram shows frequencies in data as adjacent rectangles, erected over intervals with an area proportional to the frequency of the observations in the interval.
  • Above all, its identification is by the number of data points that fall within a given bar or interval or frequency. And, enables the user to visualize how the data points spread, skew and detect the presence of outliers.
  • The construction of a histogram starts with the division of a frequency distribution into equal classes, and then each class is represented by a vertical bar. Below you can see the diagram,

Image 70

Scatter diagrams

  • Scatter diagram displays multiple XY coordinate data points representing the relationship between two different variables on the X and Y-axis. It is also known as a correlation chart.
  • Moreover, it depicts the relationship strength between an independent variable on the vertical axis and a dependent variable on the horizontal axis.
  • And, the relationship may show a correlation between the two variables. However, correlation does not always refer to a cause and effect relationship.
  • Moreover, the correlation may be positive if both variables are moving in the same direction. But, for negative correlation both, move in opposite directions.

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Developing a Scatter Diagram
  • Firstly, collecting data for both variables.
  • Then, drawing a graph with the independent variable on the horizontal axis (x) and the dependent variable on the vertical axis (y).
  • Lastly, for each pair of data, plot a dot (or symbol) where the x-axis value intersects the y-axis value.

Pareto analysis

  • This is a type of bar chart in which the horizontal axis represents categories which are usually defects or errors. And, the height of the bars can represent a count or percent of errors/defects.
  • Moreover, by arranging the bars from largest to smallest, a Pareto chart determines focusing on which categories will yield the biggest gains and which are only minor contributors to the problem.
  • In other words, it is the process of ranking opportunities to determine which of many potential opportunities should be taken first.
Pareto Chart Development

It involves the following steps,

  • Firstly, collecting data on different types of problems.
  • Tabulating the scores.
  • Then, determining the counts or impact for each category.
  • For small or infrequent problems, add them together into an “other” category
  • After that, draw a vertical axis and divide it into increments equal to the total number.
  • Then, draw the bars for each category, starting with the largest and working down.
  • The “other” category always goes last even if it is not the shortest bar.

Image 72

Cause and Effect Diagram

  • This helps teams uncover potential root causes by providing structure to cause identification effort. And, it is also known as the Ishikawa diagram.
  • Moreover, it helps in ensuring new ideas during brainstorming by not overlooking any major possible cause.
Developing Cause and Effect Diagram

It involves the following steps

  • Name the problem or effect of interest. Be as specific as possible.
  • Write the problem at the head of a fishbone “skeleton”
  • Decide the major categories for causes and create the basic diagram on a flip chart or whiteboard.
  • Typical categories include the manpower, machines, materials, methods, measurements and environment
  • Brainstorm for more detailed causes and create the diagram either by working through each category or open brainstorming for any new input.
  • Write suggestions onto self-stick notes and arrange in the fishbone format, placing each idea under the appropriate categories.
  • Review the diagram for completeness.
  • Eliminate causes that do not apply
  • Brainstorm for more ideas in categories that contain fewer items
  • Discuss the final diagram. Identify causes that are most critical for follow-up investigation.

tools and techniques equipements

CEDAC

  • A variation on the cause and effect approach that many major corporations use across the world, is the cause and effect diagram with the addition of cards (CEDAC).
  • Moreover, the effect side of a CEDAC chart quantifies a description of the problem, with a visual target and updates of the progress. And, the cause side of the CEDAC chart uses two different cards for writing facts and ideas. The basic diagram for CEDAC has a classic fishbone appearance.

Nominal Group Technique (NGT)

  • The nominal group technique is a kind of brainstorming that encourages every participant to express his/her views. Moreover, this technique is for creating a rank list of ideas. And, it helps in decision-making and organizational planning where creative solutions are sought.

Force Field Analysis

  • Force field analysis is a technique for identifying the forces that either obstruct or help a change that needs to be made.
  • Moreover, it is similar to negative brainstorming and cause/effect analysis and helps to plan how to overcome the barriers to change or improvement.
  • And, it may also provide a measure of the difficulty in achieving the change.
  • The below figure shows a force field analysis by a senior management team considering the implementation of TQM in its organization.

tools and techniques

 

Control charts

  • These are the most powerful tools to analyze variation in most processes, either manufacturing or administrative.
  • Moreover, these charts using variables data are line graphs that display a dynamic picture of process behavior.

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Control Charts various benefits
  • Firstly, the addition of control limits facilitates the ability to detect special or assignable causes of variation.
  • Displaying and comparing the current process to improve the process by identifying shifts in either average or variation and
  • Moreover, every process varies within predictable limits, identifying assignable causes and addressing them will save money.
Types of control charts
Variable charts
  • It came from variable data. And, Variable data contains more information than data that simply qualifies or counts something.
  • Most importantly, variable charts are some of the most powerful tools in quality improvement.  Various types of variable charts are,
  1. R Charts
  2. Run Charts
  3. M- MR Charts
  4. X – MR Charts.etc.
Attribute charts
  • It uses attribute data. And, control charts on the basis of attribute data are generally less powerful and sometimes more difficult to interpret than variable charts.
  • Moreover, samples are taken from lots of material where there is the counting of a number of defective units in the sample. Various types of attribute charts are,
  1. p Charts
  2. np Charts
  3. c Charts
  4. u Charts

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