Check Sheet
Quality Glossary Definition: Check sheet
Also called: defect concentration diagram
A check sheet is a structured, prepared form for collecting and analyzing data. This is a generic data collection and analysis tool that can be adapted for a wide variety of purposes and is considered one of the seven basic quality tools.
When to Use a Check Sheet
- When data can be observed and collected repeatedly by the same person or at the same location
- When collecting data on the frequency or patterns of events, problems, defects, defect location, defect causes, or similar issues
- When collecting data from a production process
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Check Sheet Procedure
- Decide what event or problem will be observed. Develop operational definitions.
- Decide when data will be collected and for how long.
- Design the form. Set it up so that data can be recorded simply by making check marks or X's or similar symbols and so that data do not have to be recopied for analysis.
- Label all spaces on the form.
- Test the check sheet for a short trial period to be sure it collects the appropriate data and is easy to use.
- Each time the targeted event or problem occurs, record data on the check sheet.
Check Sheet Example
The figure below shows a check sheet used to collect data on telephone interruptions. The tick marks were added as data was collected over several weeks.
Check Sheet Example
Create a Check Sheet
Start using the check sheet template to track up to 10 defects on each day of the week. This tool also creates a histogram, bar chart, and Pareto chart using the check-sheet data.
Excerpted from The Quality Toolbox, Second Edition, ASQ Quality Press.