CPIM Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT one of the basic seven tools of quality (B7)?

1. Cause-and-effect diagram

2. Control chart

3. Marketing analysis

4. Flowchart

The correct answer is: Marketing analysis

The basic seven tools of quality are fundamental instruments utilized in quality management to identify and analyze problems. These tools include the cause-and-effect diagram, control chart, flowchart, histogram, check sheet, Pareto chart, and scatter diagram. The reason marketing analysis does not qualify as one of the basic seven tools is that it focuses on understanding market dynamics and customer preferences rather than directly addressing quality issues in processes, products, or services. The basic seven tools serve to enhance quality management practices, provide insights into process performance, and facilitate continuous improvement initiatives. In contrast, the other options—cause-and-effect diagram, control chart, and flowchart—are essential in analyzing quality issues. The cause-and-effect diagram (often called a fishbone diagram) helps identify potential root causes of a problem, the control chart monitors process performance over time to identify variability, and the flowchart visually represents workflows, aiding in the identification of inefficiencies or areas needing improvement.