The Psychology of Quality and More

A Toolbook for Quality Improvement and Problem Solving (contents)

Block charts

The Quality Toolbook > Tools for Applications > Tool types > Block charts

Description | Examples

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Numeric information lends itself well to visual representation in graphs and chart. These convert what can be a mass of unintelligible numbers into a form which clearly convey important attributes of the problem.

Description

A block is a pictorial way of representing a discrete quantity, where the physical area or size of the block is proportional to the measured quantity, as in the diagram below.

Block charts typically show the quantity of an item within a defined range, for example the number of loaves of bread bought in a town during the first week of January. Multiple blocks may then be used to compare similar measures. Decision points may be identified by the actual or relative size of blocks.

Fig. 1. Block chart

Examples

• Bar Chart
• Histogram
• Pareto Chart

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