A common first step in the learning journey of a quality engineer is mastering a set of data visualization tools called the “Seven Basic Quality Tools.” Popularized by an architect of the modern quality movement, Karou Ishikawa, the seven basic quality tools allow practitioners to readily extract useful insights from raw data and build a foundation for further statistical analysis. These tools stand as pillars of systematic problem-solving, aiding in the identification, analysis, and improvement of processes.
These seven tools, in order of complexity, are: Check Sheets, Flowcharts, Cause and Effect Diagrams, Histograms, Pareto Diagrams, Scatter Plots, and Control Charts.
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