QUALITY CONTROL TOOLS

There are a variety of methods, tools, and techniques that can be applied for quality control and the
improvement process. These are used to create an idea, engender planning, analyze the cause, analyze
the process, foster evaluation, and create a wide variety of situations for continuous quality improvement.
These tools can also be used during various stages of a construction project. The following are the most
commonly used quality control tools for a variety of applications to improve the quality process:

1. Cause-and-effect diagram

is also called an Ishikawa diagram or fishbone diagram. It is used to organize and graphically display
multiple causes with a particular effect.

The figure illustrates an example of a cause-and-effect diagram for bad concrete (failure to comply with
design concrete strength).

2. Check sheet

is a structured list, prepared from the collected data, to indicate how often each item occurs.

The table illustrates a check sheet for approval record.

3. Control chart

is the fundamental tool of statistical process control. It is a graph used to analyze variation in a process.
By comparing current data to historically determined lines, one can arrive at a conclusion regarding
whether the process is stable or is being affected by special cause of variation. There are many types of
control charts. Each is designed for a specific kind of process or data. A control chart is employed to
distinguish between the existence of a stable pattern of variation and the occurrence of an unstable
pattern.

The Figure illustrates sound level results of an audiovisual system.

4. Data collection

Data collection objectives are to

*Identify the problem

*Report the problem

*Verify the problem

*Analyze the problem

*Correct the problem

5. Flow chart

is a pictorial tool that is used for representing a process in sequential order. Flowcharts can be applied at
all stages of the project life cycle.

The figure illustrates a flowchart for concrete casting.

6. Histogram

is a pictorial representation of a set of data. It is created by grouping measurements into cells, and it
displays how often the different values occur.

The figure illustrates a histogram for manpower for a period of one month.
7. Pareto analysis

is a graphical representation of frequency of occurrence. Pareto charts are used to identify those factors
that have the greatest cumulative effect on the system, and thus, less significant factors can be screened
out from the process. Pareto analysis can be used at various stages in a quality improvement program to
determine which step to take next.

The figure illustrates a Pareto chart for variation cost.

8. Pie chart

is a circle divided into wedges to depict proportion of data or information in order to understand how
they make up the whole. The portions of entire circle or pie sum up to 100%.

The figure illustrates the contents of construction project cost.

9. Run chart

is a graph plotted by showing measurement (data) against time. Run charts are used to know the trend
or changes in the average and also to determine if the pattern can be attributed to common causes of
variation, or if special causes of variation were present.

The figure illustrates a run chart for manpower at a site for a particular week. It is similar to the control
chart but does not show control limits.

10. Scatter diagram

is a plot of one variable versus another. It is used to identify potential root cause of problems and to
evaluate cause and-effect relationship.

The figure illustrates a scatter diagram for length versus height of rods.
Management And Planning Tools
These tools provide managers, professionals and workers with tools needed to make planning
an effective and satisfying process.

The purpose of the management planning tools is to convert apparent chaos into a workable,
implementable action plan. The tools thus provide mainstream managers with a systematic approach to
innovation requiring the conversion of raw creativity into real change.

Affinity diagram

This tool gathers large amounts of language data (ideas, opinions, issues, etc.) and organizes it
into groupings based on the natural relationship between each item. It is largely a creative rather than a
logical process.

Interrelationship digraph (I.D.)

This tool takes complex, multivariable problems or desired outcomes and explores and displays
all of the interrelated factors involved. It graphically shows the logical (and often causal) relationships
between factors.
Tree diagram

This tool systematically maps out in increasing detail the full range of paths and tasks that need
to be accomplished in order to achieve a primary goal and every related subgoal. Graphically, it
resembles an organization chart or family tree.

Matrix diagram

This versatile tool shows the connection (or correlation) between each idea/issue in one or
more other groups of items. At each intersecting point between a vertical set of items and horizontal set
of items a relationship is indicated as being either present or absent. In its most common use the matrix
diagram takes the necessary tasks (often from the tree diagram) and graphically displays their
relationships with people, functions or other tasks. This is frequently used to determine who has
responsibility for the different parts of an implementation plan.

Process decision programme chart (PDPC)

This tool maps out every conceivable event and contingency that can occur when moving from a
problem statement to the possible solutions. This is used to plan each possible chain of events that
needs to happen when the problem or goal is an unfamiliar one.
Activity network diagram

This tool is used to plan the most appropriate schedule for any complex task and all of its related
subtasks. It projects likely completion time and monitors all subtasks for adherence to the necessary
schedule. This is used when the task at hand is a familiar one with subtasks that are of a known
duration.

Prioritization matrices

These tools take tasks, issues, or possible actions and prioritize them based on known, weighted criteria.
They utilize a combination of tree and matrix diagram techniques, thus narrowing down options to
those that are the most desirable or effective.