5.
7 OLD AND NEW QUALITY TOOLS
7 NEW QUALITY TOOLS (THE SEVEN MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING TOOLS
In 1976, the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) saw the need for tools to promote innovation,
communicate information and successfully plan major projects.
A team researched and developed the seven new quality control tools, to be used with the 7 basic quality tools.
Also known as the 7 management and planning tools, or simply the 7 management tools, the 7 new quality tools
are defined as “methods for achieving expected outcomes that previously have not been used. They have their
origins back in the year 1976 in Japan, when the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) saw the need
for tools to promote innovation, communicate information, and successfully plan major projects”. (American
Society for Quality)
Some of the benefits of incorporating the 7 new quality tools in an organization include: better organization
of verbal data, improved planning, secured full cooperation between work teams, better situations assessment
from various perspectives, better clarification of the desired situation, more effective prioritization of tasks,
and the promotion of proactive changes between the organization.
PUSOM, Biratnagar 01/11/2021
5. 7 OLD AND NEW QUALITY TOOLS
7 NEW QUALITY TOOLS (THE SEVEN MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING TOOLS
The New Seven Quality Tools (The Seven Management and Planning Tools)
1. Affinity Diagram
2. Relations Diagram
3. Matrix Diagram
4. Tree Diagram
5. Process Decision Program Chart (PDPC)
6. Arrow Diagram
7. Matrix Data Analysis
PUSOM, Biratnagar 01/11/2021
1. Affinity Diagram
Affinity diagrams are a special kind of brainstorming (thinking, dream up, suggesting, come up with etc.) tool that
organize large amount of disorganized data and information into groupings based on natural relationships. It was
created in the 1960s by the Japanese anthropologist Jiro Kawakita. It is also known as KJ diagram, after Jiro
Kawakita.
OR,
Gathers large amounts of verbal data (ideas, opinions, issues); then Organizes the data into groups based on
natural relationship; and
Makes it feasible for further analysis and to find a solution to the problem.
The affinity diagram is a business tool used to organize ideas and data. It is one of the Seven Management and
Planning Tools. People have been grouping data into groups based on natural relationships for thousands of years;
however, the term affinity diagram was devised by Jiro Kawakita in the 1960s and is sometimes referred to as
the KJ Method.
The tool is commonly used within project management and allows large numbers of ideas stemming
from brainstorming to be sorted into groups, based on their natural relationships, for review and analysis. It is also
frequently used in contextual inquiry as a way to organize notes and insights from field interviews. It can also be
used for organizing other freeform comments, such as open-ended survey responses, support call logs, or other
qualitative data.
PUSOM, Biratnagar 01/11/2021
An affinity diagram is used when:
You are confronted with many facts or ideas in
apparent chaos.
Issues seem too large and complex to grasp.
How to construct an Affinity Diagram?
1. Select the topic to be analyzed
2. Use brainstorming to collect verbal data
and ideas
3. Write each item on separate data card
4. Spread out all cards on table or stick them
on a board
5. Move data cards into groups of similar
themes (natural affinity for each other)
6. Combine statements on data cards to new
Affinity statement
7. Make new card with Affinity statement
8. Continue to combine until less than 5
groups
9. Draw the final Affinity Diagram for the
problem discussed
PUSOM, Biratnagar 01/11/2021
2. Relations Diagram
Relationship diagram displays all the interrelated cause-and-effect relationships and factors involved in a complex
problem and describes desired outcomes. The process of creating an interrelationship diagram helps a group analyze
the natural links between different aspects of a complex situation.
OR,
For Finding Solutions Strategies by Clarifying Relationships with Complex Interrelated Causes.
To allow a team to systematically identify, analyze, and classify the cause and effect relationships that exist
among all critical issues.
Useful at planning stage for obtaining perspective on overall situation.
Facilitates consensus among team
Assists to develop and change people’s thinking
Enables priorities to be identified accurately
Also known as interrelationship diagram or network diagram, the relations diagram is a management planning
tool that depicts the relationship among factors in a complex situation. It allows a team to systematically identify,
analyze, and classify the cause and effect relationships that exist among all critical issues. It is useful at planning
stage for obtaining a clear perspective on an overall situation; facilitates consensus among the work team; assists ti
develop and change people’s thinking; and enables priorities to be identified accurately.
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Constructing a Relations Diagram
1. Express the problem in form of “Why isn’t something happening?”
2. Each member lists 5 causes affecting problem
3. Discuss info collected until everyone understands it thoroughly
4. Write each item on a card
5. Move cards into similar groups
6. Asking why, explore the cause-effect relationships, and divide the cards into primary, secondary and
tertiary causes
7. Connect all cards by these relationships
8. Further discuss until all possible causes have been identified
9. Review whole diagram looking for relationships among causes
10. Connect all related groups
11. Next, complete the diagram
Low Pay Lack of Training
High Operator Turnover
Lack of Advancement Poor Thinking Condition Poor Quality
Figure: Relations Diagram
PUSOM, Biratnagar 01/11/2021
3. Matrix Diagram
This tool shows the relationship between two or more sets of elements. At each intersection, a relationship is either
absent or present. It then gives information about the relationship, such as its strength, the roles played by various
individuals or measurements. The matrix diagram enables you to analyze relatively complex situations by exposing
interactions and dependencies between things. Six differently shaped matrices are possible: L, T, Y, X, C, R and
roof-shaped, depending on how many groups must be compared.
OR,
Consists of a two-dimensional array to determine location and nature of problem
Discovers key ideas by relationships represented by the cells in matrix.
Enable data on ideas based on extensive experience
Clarifies relationships among different elements
Makes overall structure of problem immediately obvious
Combined from two to four types of diagrams, location of problem is clearer.
Also known as matrix or matrix chart, the matrix diagram allows a team or individual to systematically identify,
analyze, and rate the presence and strength of relationships between two or more sets of information. It is used to
clarify problems by thinking multidimensionally.
Six differently shaped matrices are possible: L, T, Y, X, C, and roof-shaped, depending on how many groups must
be compared. The next table summarizes the cases in where each matrix shape should be used.
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Differently Shaped Matrices Groups Cases
L-shaped 2 groups A↔B or A↔A
T-shaped 3 groups B↔A↔C but not B↔C
Y-shaped 3 groups A↔B↔C↔A
C-shaped 3 groups All three simultaneously (3D)
X-shaped 4 groups A↔B↔C↔D↔A but not A↔C↔B↔D
Roof-shaped 1 groups A↔A when also A↔B in L or T
Constructing a Matrix Diagram
1. Determine the factors that are important for making a correct selection or assignment.
2. Select the type of matrix to be used. L-shaped matrices are used for comparing two factors; T-shaped are
used for comparing three factors with direct and indirect relationships; Y-shaped are used to compare three
factors showing direct relationships only.
3. Select the relationship symbols to be used.
4. Compare the proper matrix using the appropriate factors and symbols.
5. Examine the matrix and draw the appropriate conclusion.
PUSOM, Biratnagar 01/11/2021
Differently Shaped Matrices Groups Cases
L-shaped 2 groups A↔B or A↔A
T-shaped 3 groups B↔A↔C but not B↔C
Y-shaped 3 groups A↔B↔C↔A
C-shaped 3 groups All three simultaneously (3D)
X-shaped 4 groups A↔B↔C↔D↔A but not A↔C↔B↔D
Roof-shaped 1 groups A↔A when also A↔B in L or T
Constructing a Matrix Diagram
1. Determine the factors that are important for making a correct selection or assignment.
2. Select the type of matrix to be used. L-shaped matrices are used for comparing two factors; T-shaped are
used for comparing three factors with direct and indirect relationships; Y-shaped are used to compare three
factors showing direct relationships only.
3. Select the relationship symbols to be used.
4. Compare the proper matrix using the appropriate factors and symbols.
5. Examine the matrix and draw the appropriate conclusion.
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Matrix Diagram
PUSOM, Biratnagar 01/11/2021
4. Tree Diagram
A tree diagram allows you to detail a conceptual or high level of goal into more operational task to
achieve the desired result. The tree diagram starts with one items that branches into two or more and
so on. Tree diagram can be used to break down broad categories into finer level of detail and can be
adopted for a wide variety of users. Developing a tree diagram helps move team thinking from
generalize to specifies. The tree diagram is a generic tool that can be adopted for a wide variety of
purposes.
OR,
For Systematically Pursuing the Best Strategies for Attaining an Objective
Develops a succession of strategies for achieving objectives
Reveals methods to achieve the results.
Also known as Systematic diagrams or Dendrograms
Also known as systematic diagram, tree analysis, analytical tree or hierarchy diagram, a tree
diagram is managing planning tool that depicts the hierarchy of tasks and subtasks needed to
complete an objective. A tree diagram develops a succession of strategies for achieving a goal. It is
used to break down broad categories into finer and finer levels of detail. Once the tree diagram is
finished, it bears a resemble to a tree, with a trunk and multiple branches.
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Constructing a Tree Diagram
1. Write Relations Diagram topic (Objective card)
2. Identify constraints on how objective can be achieved
3. Take each primary mean, write objective for achieving it (secondary means)
4. Continue to expand to the fourth level
5. Review each system of means in both directions (from objective to means and means to objective)
6. Add more cards if needed
7. Connect all levels
8. Next, complete the diagram
Quality ingredients
Good
Food Good recipe
Prompt attention
Satisfied Good
customers Service Professional waiter
Happy atmosphere
Pleasant
Good table presentation
Surroundings
Pleasing decor
Figure: Tree Diagram
PUSOM, Biratnagar 01/11/2021
