A Pareto Chart As Part Of A Six Sigma Quality
Introduction
Six Sigma is a methodology used to improve business processes and decrease defects. It is a data-driven approach that emphasizes on achieving quality improvement through the identification and elimination of defects. One of the main tools used in Six Sigma is the Pareto chart, which is used to identify the most significant problems or causes of defects in a process.
What Is A Pareto Chart?
A Pareto chart is a graphical tool used to represent the frequency and size of problems or defects in a process. It is named after Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist who observed that 80% of the wealth in Italy was owned by 20% of the population. The Pareto chart is based on the same principle, which is that a small number of causes typically account for the majority of problems or defects in a process.
How To Create A Pareto Chart?
To create a Pareto chart, you need to follow these steps:
- Identify the problem or defect you want to analyze.
- Collect data on the problem or defect.
- Separate the data into categories or causes.
- Calculate the frequency or size of each category or cause.
- Rank the categories or causes in descending order of frequency or size.
- Create a bar graph that shows the frequency or size of each category or cause.
- Add a cumulative percentage line to the graph.
How To Interpret A Pareto Chart?
A Pareto chart is used to identify the most significant causes of problems or defects in a process. The bars on the chart represent the frequency or size of each category or cause, and the cumulative percentage line shows the total percentage of the problem or defect that is accounted for by each category or cause.
The Pareto principle states that 80% of the problems or defects are caused by 20% of the categories or causes. Therefore, the most significant causes of the problem or defect are the ones that appear at the top of the chart, and the least significant causes are the ones that appear at the bottom.
Benefits of Using A Pareto Chart In Six Sigma
The use of a Pareto chart in Six Sigma has several benefits, including:
- It helps to identify the most significant causes of problems or defects in a process.
- It provides a visual representation of the data, making it easier to understand and analyze.
- It helps to prioritize the causes of problems or defects, allowing the team to focus on the most significant ones first.
- It helps to track the progress of improvement efforts over time.
Conclusion
A Pareto chart is a powerful tool that is used in Six Sigma to identify the most significant causes of problems or defects in a process. By focusing on the most significant causes, improvement efforts can be prioritized, and the process can be improved more efficiently. If you are looking to improve the quality of your business processes, consider using a Pareto chart as part of your Six Sigma methodology.
