Six Sigma Tool Navigator: The Master Guide for Teams
Tool 101: Line Chart
| AKA | Line Graph |
| Classification | Analyzing/Trending (AT) |
Tool description
A simple line chart is an ideal method for showing trends in quality, quantity, cost, customer satisfaction, and so on. It is often a first indication that some problem exists during the monitoring and tracking of quality performance data.
Typical application
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To monitor and track data over a period of time.
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To show a trendline analysis.
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To display change in quality performance.
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To identify shifts from predetermined averages.
Problem-solving phase
| → | Select and define problem or opportunity |
| → | Identify and analyze causes or potential change |
| Develop and plan possible solutions or change | |
| → | Implement and evaluate solution or change |
| → | Measure and report solution or change results |
| Recognize and reward team efforts |
Typically used by
| Research/statistics | |
| Creativity/innovation | |
| Engineering | |
| 1 | Project management |
| 2 | Manufacturing |
| 3 | Marketing/sales |
| Administration/documentation | |
| Servicing/support | |
| 4 | Customer/quality metrics |
| Change management |
before
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Frequency Distribution (FD)
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Checksheet
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Observation
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Focus Group
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Surveying
after
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Stratification
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Multivariable Chart
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Trend Analysis
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Pie Chart
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Pareto Chart
Notes and key points
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To enhance the interpretation of a line chart, a "goal for improvement" or a "standard" line should be drawn to verify actual performance to the desired goal or standard.
Step-by-step procedure
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STEP 1 Collect data from some source, such as a checksheet. See example Customer Complaints.
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STEP 2 Construct a line chart and apply the 3:4 ratio rule: The height of the Y axis must be 75 percent of the length of the X axis.
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STEP 3 Label the axes, plot and connect the data points, and draw the line as encoded in the legend. Date the line chart.
Example of tool application
Customer Complaints
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