Question

The Seven QC (Quality Control) Tools are discussed in Chapter 15, pages 334-336. As explained in the chapter, these tools support quality improvement problem-solving efforts. Select and define one of the tools. Then provide an example of how the tool might be used either at your place of employment or other organization.

- Cause-and-effect diagram (also known as the "fishbone" or Ishikawa diagram)

- Check sheet.

- Control chart.

- Histogram.

- Pareto chart.

- Scatter diagram.

- Stratification (alternately, flow chart or run chart)

Answer 1

Quality control tools helps in finding the solution to the issues related to quality. One of the Quality control tools has been explained below -

Stratification (alternately, flow chart or run chart) – Flow charts are the diagrams or graphical representation of the sequence of steps existing in any operational process. This tool can be used at any level for quality control.

Flow charts help in defining the problem more easily as all the steps of process are arranged in order and every step can be checked which helps in finding the problem area. Corrections can be done at that point which helps in improving the quality of process at each and every level.

Example – In my ABC Ltd, below shown Flow chart tool is used in Accounts Payable department. At the month end all the purchase orders sent to vendor are compared with invoices paid. In case of any discrepancy, all the steps involved in the process are independently scrutinised which helps in finding the problem area. So, this tool helps in improving the quality of work at every level of process.