We have organized the most common problem-solving tools into 7 categories.

Data Collection & Organization Tools

• Affinity Grouping
• Brainstorming
• Cause & Effect Diagrams
• Checklists
• Data Collection Forms
• Surveys
• Tally Sheets
• Quality Function Deployment

Data Display & Analysis Tools

• Bar Charts & Line Graphs
• Comparative Analysis (What Is - What Isn't)
• Concentration Diagrams
• Cost of Quality
• Fault-Tree Analysis
• Five-Whys
• Histograms
• Pareto Analysis
• Pie Charts
• Run (Trend) Charts
• Scatter Diagrams
• Timeline Analysis

Decision-Making Techniques

• Musts & Wants
• Nominal Group Technique
• Voting and Ranking
• Forced Ranking
• Force Field Analysis
• Financial Analysis

General Improvement Tools

• FMEA (Failure Mode & Effects Analysis)
• Mistake-Proofing

Process Mapping Tools

• Flowcharts
• Brown Paper Flows
• Workflow Diagrams
• Value Stream Maps
• SIPOC Diagrams

Project Management Tools

• Problem Statement
• Team Start-Up Worksheet
• Meeting Minutes & Planner
• Activity Plan
• PERT Charts
• Gantt Charts

Statistical Tools & Techniques

• ANOVA
• Control Charts
• Process Capability Measures
• Correlation/Regression Analysis
• Multivariate Analysis
• Design of Experiments
• GR&R Studies
• Tests of Significance