What is a Pareto chart used for?

A Pareto chart is a specific type of chart that is used to identify and prioritize problems or causes within a process. The fundamental principle behind the Pareto chart is based on the Pareto Principle, often referred to as the 80/20 rule, which suggests that a small number of causes often lead to the majority of problems. By representing data in descending order of frequency or impact, the chart allows individuals and teams to quickly identify which problems or causes should be addressed first to achieve the most significant improvement.

Using a Pareto chart facilitates effective decision-making and resource allocation by highlighting the most critical issues that need attention. This prioritization helps organizations focus their efforts on areas that will yield the greatest benefit, ensuring that resources are used efficiently to tackle quality issues.

The other choices presented, while relevant to different aspects of quality and process management, do not capture the primary use of a Pareto chart as effectively. For instance, visualizing customer feedback may help understand perceptions but doesn’t prioritize issues for problem-solving. Similarly, detailing operational procedures or mapping out employee skills serves different purposes within an organization and does not align with the specific function of a Pareto chart in prioritizing quality improvement efforts.