Tools and Techniques

Various tools and techniques

Let’s discuss the various tools and techniques.

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,

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,

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.

It is for collecting frequency by marking to visualize the distribution of the data as shown in the diagram below,

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,

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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,

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,

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