Many buying offices in China struggle to have their QC inspectors (trained to assess conformity to a set of requirements) act as QA technicians (able to analyze problems and solve them). What type of training is appropriate?
I think the 7 basic quality tools are very appropriate. They are easy to teach and to use. According to Dr Ishikawa, these tools can help solve 95% of quality problems that are encountered in daily operations!
The question is, how to integrate these tools in a problem resolution method that follows the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) logic?
I found a simple explanation (see below graph) that puts it all together:
PLAN
- Data collection to select an improvement project: use Pareto charts and/or scatter diagrams
- Study of current procedures: flow chart
- Thinking of potential causes: cause-and-effect diagram (or fishbone diagram)
- Data collection on potential causes: check sheet
- Data analysis: control charts, histograms, Pareto charts, and/or scatter diagrams
DO
(No need to use these tools)
CHECK
- Data collection: check sheet, control charts
- Data analysis to see if there is improvement: control charts, histograms, and/or scatter diagrams
ACT
(No need to use these tools)
Source: Primer for CQE exam, published by the Quality Council of Indiana.
