Some may think that quality is mainly a concept used in the working place. However, I believe quality tools can be equally effective and beneficial in all settings (workplace, health, family life, studies, dating, hobbies, and so on). The seven basic quality tools include the cause-and-effect diagram, check sheet, control charts, histogram, Pareto chart, scatter diagram, and stratification (“The 7 Basic Quality Tools for Process Improvement”). These tools are valuable in people’s professional life as they can help evaluate their or their teams’ performance, prioritize, identify various relationships, and so on. I will employ histograms to analyze the frequency of different values. This tool will be specifically applicable when analyzing some defects in my performance or the group I will be working in. The tool will help me identify particular factors affecting my (or the group’s) efficiency as I will be able to trace exact days or periods of poor performance.
As for my personal life, the use of these tools can be helpful. I have decided to talk to my friend about her unhealthy relationship with her partner. We have already had some conversations on the matter, but I believe the use of some statistics can be much more useful than the use of simple words. I will also use the histogram to reveal all the cases of his improper behavior and her improper reactions.
I have already used the fishbone chart to brainstorm some causes of my problems. For example, I had difficulties with writing an academic paper. I was frustrated when I received the lowest score I had ever gotten. Luckily, I had a chance to revise the paper. I started by analyzing the reasons that led to the horrible and quite unexpected result. The use of the diagram proved to be effective as I identified the causes of the problem and managed to improve my score.
Jennifer Stepniowski claims that the mentioned quality tools have helped her in her personal life (“Using Quality Tools in Your Personal Life”). She uses a Pareto chart to prioritize her daily tasks. I have started doing the same. I have to admit that the chart makes the process of scheduling much easier and more effective. I can manage my time more effectively. Now, I can see that I have completed loads of meaningless tasks wasting my precious time.
Finally, I will also use the check sheet and histogram to focus on my wellness. I have quite a hectic life, and my health has deteriorated, so I have to pay attention to my diet and physical activity. My responsibilities and numerous tasks I complete have always distracted me from noticing the wrong things I have done (eating snacks, skipping the gym, and so on). The tools mentioned above will help me trace all those irresponsible behaviors as well as factors affecting my decision-making process. I would like to add that some may think that the use of quality tools in an individual’s personal life is inefficient as it requires a certain time. However, I believe that the time spent on the statistics will be compensated as I will avoid numerous mistakes and will see various opportunities for improvement.
In conclusion, I would like to note that the use of quality tools can help people achieve a lot in their professional and personal life. These easy-to-use tools help people see actual reasons for some flaws and even opportunities to improve the situation. I will benefit from using the basic quality tools.
Works Cited
“The 7 Basic Quality Tools for Process Improvement.” ASQ, 2005, Web.
“Using Quality Tools in Your Personal Life.” ASQ, 2016, Web.