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This section provides how-to information, tips and templates for using Quality Tools. |
Learn more about continuous improvement... read the blog!
CRCSD Tools and Templates (Alphabetical)
| Tool Name | What is it? | When/Why is it use? |
| All Quality Tools | See examples of many quality tools online. Many other online quality tools. View a glossary of quality (alphabetical). | Quality tools are used to gather data, collect information or make decisions |
|
Action Plan |
These documents can be used for
planning improvement theories.
Action Plan Templates (PDF) |
Action Plans help a team move from concept or idea to action. Use these templates when proposing action. Don't forget to use the Force Field Analysis prior to taking action. |
| Affinity Diagram | This tool
can be used at any stage of the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle, but is
particularly useful in the planning phase.
Used to organize output
from brainstorming.
See
an example.
Affinity Diagram
(Word) |
Is the problem complex or hard to understand? Is the problem uncertain, disorganized, or overwhelming? Does the problem require the involvement & support f a group? |
| Brainstorming | Brainstorming
is the free, uninhibited generation of ideas. Learn more and see an example. (more examples) |
Used
to solicit ideas from a group on a given topic. To generate improvement action |
|
Cause & Effect Fishbone |
This document gives the description, advantages, essentials and step-by-step instructions
on how to construct a Cause & Effect (Fishbone) Diagram. This tool can be used at any stage of the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle but is particularly useful in the planning phase.
See an online example. Example. Fishbone Summary Cause & Effect Power Point How to Use (Fishbone) Fishbone Template 1 (word) Fishbone Form (word form) Fishbone template (Word) |
Do root causes of a
problem need to be identified? Are there many ideas and /or opinions about the causes of the problems? |
| Check Sheet | A tool for collecting
data in a logical format. Check Sheet Power Point . Learn more and see an example. |
Is data to be
collected? Is an organized format for collecting the data needed? Will different people be collecting or using the data for the study or project? |
|
Fast Feedback |
This form can be used to gauge
student perception and satisfaction. Fast Feedback chart (PDF) Fast Feedback chart (Excel File) |
Use these forms to collect input and feedback from customers. |
|
Force Field |
This document provides the description, advantages and essentials for the Force Field Analysis tool. This tool can be used at any stage of the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle, but is particularly useful in the planning and act phases.
See an example. |
Use any time a change is expected to be difficult. |
|
Fishbone also see |
This document provides a template to be used to create a Fishbone Diagram (Cause and Effect). This tool can be used at any stage of the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle but is particularly useful in the planning phase. See Cause and Effect for forms and templates. View PowerPoint presentation on the Fish Bone tool. |
Use this tool to identify root causes of a problem. |
| Five Whys |
A tool that helps teams find the root cause of a problem or an issue. It leads the team to explore systemic explanations that go beyond: event-oriented excuses; the tendency to blame individuals; and a team’s inclination to first identify factors external to the system over which they perceive they have little influence. |
Use this tool to find root causes |
| Flowchart | Flowchart Overview Learn more and see an example. See another example. |
Flowcharts are used to graphically display a process. Use this tool when defining a system or when making changes to a system that need to be communicated. |
| Lotus Diagram | Organizes
topics into components. Uses 9 squares with the exterior squares the
components of the center.
See
examples online. Power Point presentation Lotus
Half page (Word .doc) |
Lotus diagrams are an "expansion" tool. Use this tool when ideas need to be clarified or expanded upon. |
| Nominal Group Technique | Learn more about this tool and see an example. See other examples online. | Multivoting narrows a large list of possibilities to a smaller list of the top priorities or to a final selection. Multivoting is preferable to straight voting because it allows an item that is favored by all, but not the top choice of any, to rise to the top. |
| PDSA |
chart 8.5 x 11 (PDF) chart 8.5 x 11 extended lines chart 11x17 (PDF) PDSA Diagram (Word) PDSA Wheel with extended lines (Word) PDSA Blank (Word) PDSA Chart with Key Questions PDSA short form with Key Tools Student PDSA
Templates: |
The Plan Do
Study Act Cycle (also referred to as Action Research) is a data
driven process for continuous improvement. Storyboards! How to create a PDSA/Action Research Story Board (PPT) |
| Pareto Diagram |
A bar chart which ranks related measures
in decreasing order of occurrence. in other words, the highest bar
represents the item with the most frequency.
See an example and learn more about this tool. Another
example online. |
Can data be arranged
into categories? Is the rank of each category important? |
| Plus/Delta |
Plus/Delta (word) Plus/Delta/Parking Lot (PDF) Reflections Form: Alternative to Plus/Delta (PDF) |
Another tool to get stakeholder/customer input and feedback. |
| Quality Quadrant |
The Quality Quadrant is used to generate feedback
after a particular event or educational activity. It could be used
after any part of the PDSA cycle or in isolation following a
particular activity. |
Another customer/stakeholder feedback instrument. |
| Radar Diagram |
Performance is rated on spokes around a hub.
Radar Diagram (PDF).
See more
examples online. Radar 6 points Radar chart template 6 points (Word file) Radar chart 5 points (Word file) Target Radar Chart (Word file) Homework Radar (word file) |
The radar diagram is a data collection instrument. |
| Relations Diagram |
A pictorial representation of the cause-and-effect relationships
among elements of a problem or issue.
See
an online example. Relations Diagram (PPT) and Word File |
The relations diagram is used to identify root causes of a problem. It is often used after the cause & effect diagram. |
| Root Causes | This document gives the Description, advantages, essentials, and construction, steps for the Five Whys tool. This tool can be used at any stage of the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle but is particularly useful in the planning phase. Five Whys Tool (PDF) This document provides a template to be used with a Fishbone Diagram (Cause and Effect) or a Five Whys Tool. This tool can be used at any stage of the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle but is particularly useful in the planning phase. Root Causes Grid (Word) |
Root causes need to be identified before taking action on a problem. |
| Run Chart | This document provides the description, advantages, and essentials for the Run Chart tool. This tool can be used at any stage of the Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle. Learn more and see an example. See another example. | The run chart is an excellent tool to display data collected. It shows data over time. |
| Scatter Diagram | Graph showing relationships using plotted dots. Learn more and see an example. | The scatter diagram uses plots and shows relationships and correlations between variables. |
| Tree Diagram |
Template 1 Template w/action plan Sample - SMART Sample - Course Sample - Writing Sample - Department |
|
| Value Matrix |
Value Matrix- Detail List Value Matrix- 4 Quadrants |
This instrument helps determine "importance" and "urgency" when prioritizing and making decisions. |
Data Analysis Tools for Teachers
|
Math |
20 Math
Facts Run Chart 50 Math Facts Run Chart 100 Math Facts Run Chart |
|
Spelling |
Run Chart Monday/Friday Scores |
| Vocabulary | Pre/Post Frequency |
| Guide to using GWAEA Tools for Teachers Guide Sheets for using GWAEA Quality Tools |
|
| Standard Run Chart | Tracks student performance on tasks/samples over time. Provides individual and class graphs. Tracks student performance through item analysis. Typical uses: To track random sampling activities (spelling, vocabulary, geography, math facts, etc.) |
| Standard Control Chart | Tracks student performance over time to help distinguish special and common cause variations. Typical uses: tardies/discipline, fluency rates, sampling, etc. |
| Pre-Post Test | Provides data on student performance pre-test, and post-tests over time. Typical uses: spelling programs, unit exams, quizzes, etc. |
| Progress Monitoring Tool | A data-graphing tool which guides users in creating graphs that effectively display data. Effective for use in graphing progress monitoring data for students. Users include general and special education teachers. |
| 4-15 Item Pareto Creator | Provides data to determine factors or items that are key variables in implementing change or improvement. |
The instructions for using the GWAEA Templates have been inserted in the files as comments. If you need some help adapting these to meet your needs, feel free to contact Ann Nicholson, Nancy Ryder, or Tracy Milota at 558-2700.
| The Quality Tools Cookbook | This web site provides a brief overview of several tools. This is a non-profit site that also includes additional references. |
| W. Edwards Deming's Web site at Clemson University | This web site is very easy to use. It is a non-profit site that provides tutorials with each tool. There is a listing of quality tools as well. |
| Rock Island School District- Quality Tools | Many quality tools and resources for teachers |
| Quality College | Many quality tools, examples and resources for teachers |
| ASQ glossary of quality (alphabetical). | View a glossary of quality (alphabetical). |
Cedar Rapids Community School District utilizes the resources of PQ Systems Process and Tools Training Toolbook - http://www.pqsystems.com/ for quality tool training and support.