Quality Management (TQM) and Six Sigma use a number of common tools for problem-solving and process improvement. Many of these tools have been in use for many years in various quality improvement programs prior to their integration into TQM and Six Sigma. 

Common quality tools include flowcharts, check sheets, histograms, Pareto charts, scatter diagrams, run charts, control charts, and cause-and-effect diagrams. 

Common tools for generating ideas include brainstorming, benchmarking, and quality circles. In this exercise, we examine these tools and how they are used for problem-solving and process improvement.