18. Matching Problems with Tools

In order to provide a profound understanding of the use of tools, it is necessary to discuss them in the context of objectives that can be reached by their application. A tool and its mere application are not just self-contained. This becomes apparent when looking at the further development of Deming’s famous PDCA cycle by Kaoru Ishikawa. He expanded the two steps “Plan” and “Do” by an extra step each, making six steps out of the four: Determine goals and targets, determine methods of reaching goals, engage in education and training, implement work, check the effects of implementation and take appropriate action. These kinds of cycles are typical for many approaches in quality management/improvement. It is a pragmatic step-by-step approach for collecting data, analyzing them and deriving solutions (Fig. 18.1).