SC QUALITY GUILDTools and templates
The working tools of an improvement project and of a quality manager’s job, free and in your browser. Fill them in, print them, or save them to a file. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.
Six Sigma project tools · Green Belt statistics and lean tools · Quality auditor tools · Inspection, measurement and calibration tools · Quality manager tools · Process, planning and risk tools · Lean and daily management tools · Supplier quality tools · Validation, design control and regulated-industry tools · Problem solving and change control tools
Six Sigma project tools
25 tools that follow a DMAIC project and cover the Six Sigma Yellow Belt Body of Knowledge.
DMAIC roadmap
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB I.A
Free DMAIC roadmap. The five phases of Six Sigma, the question each answers, the outputs each must produce and the tool for each, with a tracker to tick off your own project.
Six Sigma roles and RACI
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB I.C
Free RACI chart for Six Sigma projects. Executive, champion, process owner and every belt against your project's activities, with checks for missing or doubled accountability.
Team development stages
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB I.D.1, I.D.2
Free team development self-check. Sixteen statements about how your team behaves, scored against forming, storming, norming and performing, with what a leader should do at each stage.
Multivoting and nominal group technique
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB I.D.3
Free multivoting and nominal group technique tool. Enter the options and the people, record votes or ranks, and get the totals ranked, with checks for over-voting, ties and narrow support.
Eight wastes waste walk
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB I.B, IV.A.1
Free lean waste walk tool. The eight wastes (DOWNTIME) explained, then record what you see on the floor, classify each observation, estimate the time lost and see which waste is biggest.
Voice of the customer to CTQ tree
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB II.A.1, CQE V.B.2, CSSBB IV.D.2, CQPA II.D.1
Free VOC to CTQ tree builder and tree diagram maker. Turn customer comments into measurable CTQs with targets, or break any goal into means and tasks.
Project selection matrix
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB II.A.2
Free project selection matrix. Weight your criteria, score each candidate project, and get a ranked list, with criteria such as cost and effort counted against a project.
Stakeholder analysis
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB II.A.3
Free stakeholder analysis tool. Score each stakeholder's influence and interest, record current and needed support, and see them on a power-interest grid with an approach for each.
SIPOC builder
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB II.A.4
Free SIPOC builder. Set the start and stop points, list suppliers, inputs, process, outputs and customers, and get a printable SIPOC with checks on what is missing.
Project charter
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB II.B.1
Free Six Sigma project charter template. Business case, problem and goal statements, scope, team and milestones, with checks that flag a problem statement that names a cause or a solution.
Communication plan
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB II.B.2, I.D.4
Free project communication plan template. Audience, message, purpose, method, frequency and sender, with checks that two-way purposes use two-way methods and that something recurs.
WBS and Gantt chart
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB II.B.3, II.B.4
Free WBS and Gantt chart maker. Break the project into numbered tasks, link them by dependency, and see the Gantt chart, finish date and slippage against the due date, with working days if you want.
Phase review checklist
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB II.B.5
Free DMAIC phase review (tollgate) checklist. The questions a sponsor should ask at the end of Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control, with a suggested go or not-yet decision.
Basic statistics calculator
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB III.A
Free descriptive statistics calculator. Paste your data for mean, median, mode, range, sample and population standard deviation, quartiles and a histogram, with a plain reading of what they say.
Data collection plan and check sheet
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB III.B.1, III.B.2, III.B.3, CQE V.A.5, VI.A.3, CQPA II.B, CMDA V.A
Free data collection plan template with a clickable tally sheet and a location (defect concentration) check sheet. Operational definitions and stratification.
Accuracy and precision check
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB III.C.1
Free gauge bias and repeatability calculator. Measure a reference part several times and see whether the gauge is accurate and precise, with a t-test on the bias and both as a percentage of tolerance.
Fishbone and 5 whys
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB IV.B, I.E.1
Free fishbone (Ishikawa) diagram builder with a 5 whys chain underneath. Brainstorm causes by category, draw the diagram, ask why with evidence, and check the root cause before you act on it.
FMEA worksheet
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB IV.A.2
Free FMEA worksheet. Failure modes, effects and causes scored for severity, occurrence and detection, RPN calculated, rows ranked, and high-severity rows flagged whatever their RPN.
Corrective and preventive action
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB IV.C, IV.D
Free corrective and preventive action form. Describe, contain, find the root cause of both occurrence and escape, act, check elsewhere and verify effectiveness, with a status check at every stage.
Distribution explorer
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB IV.E.1, CQE VI.C.1, VI.C.2, CSSBB V.E.2, V.E.3, CQPA III.A.2
Free distribution calculator: normal, binomial, Poisson, Weibull, lognormal, hypergeometric, t, chi-square, F and more. Shape, mean, variance, probabilities.
Correlation and regression
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB IV.F.1, IV.F.2, CQE VI.E.1, VI.E.2, CSSBB VI.A.1, VI.A.2, CQPA III.F.1
Free correlation and regression calculator: scatter plot, r and its confidence interval, fitted line, confidence and prediction intervals, residual plots.
Kaizen event and PDCA planner
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB V.A.1, V.A.2
Free kaizen event and PDCA planner. Plan a kaizen blitz, write a prediction, record what was done and what happened, compare result with prediction, and track the 30-day actions.
Cost-benefit and payback
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB V.A.3
Free cost-benefit and payback calculator. Compare improvement options on net benefit, payback period, ROI and net present value over the years you choose.
Control plan
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB V.B.1
Free control plan template. Characteristics, specifications, measurement, sample size, frequency, control method and reaction plan, with checks for missing or weak reaction plans.
Work instruction and SOP
ON THE EXAM · CSSYB V.B.3, V.B.4
Free work instruction and SOP template. Document number, revision, owner and approval, then steps with key points and reasons, and a revision history, with document-control checks.
Green Belt statistics and lean tools
15 tools for the analysis and lean topics of the Six Sigma Green Belt Body of Knowledge: hypothesis tests, ANOVA, DOE, confidence intervals and value stream mapping.
Value stream map and takt time
ON THE EXAM · CSSGB I.B.1, I.B.2
Free value stream map tool. Enter demand, cycle times and inventory for takt time, inventory days, lead time, process cycle efficiency and a current-state map.
Kano model analysis
ON THE EXAM · CSSGB II.B.3
Free Kano model tool. Enter functional and dysfunctional answers to classify features with the Kano evaluation table and plot better and worse coefficients.
Confidence interval calculator
ON THE EXAM · CSSGB III.B.2, IV.B.1, CQE VI.D.1, CSSBB VI.B.4
Free confidence interval calculator: mean, proportion and standard deviation, sample size, plus normal tolerance intervals (exact k) and prediction intervals.
Attribute capability
ON THE EXAM · CSSGB II.E.1, III.F.3, III.F.4, VI.A.3
Free attribute capability tool. Enter defectives and defects by subgroup for % defective, PPM, DPU, DPMO and Z.bench, with and without the 1.5 shift.
Multi-vari chart
ON THE EXAM · CSSGB IV.A.1
Free multi-vari chart tool. Enter readings by time, piece and position to plot the chart and split variation into within-piece, piece-to-piece and time-to-time.
t test calculator
ON THE EXAM · CSSGB IV.B.1, IV.B.2
Free t test calculator for one-sample, two-sample (Welch or pooled) and paired t tests. Paste data for t, df, exact p value, confidence interval and a dot plot.
Chi-square and proportions test
ON THE EXAM · CSSGB IV.B.2
Free chi-square test of independence calculator. Enter counts for expected values, cell contributions, the p value, proportions and a 2×2 z test.
One-way ANOVA
ON THE EXAM · CSSGB IV.B.2
Free one-way ANOVA calculator. Paste up to six groups for the ANOVA table, F test, exact p value, R squared, group confidence intervals and a variance check.
2ᵏ full factorial DOE
ON THE EXAM · CSSGB V.A.1, V.A.2, CQE VI.H.3, VI.H.5, CSSBB VII.A.2, VII.A.5
Free two-level DOE calculator: 2^k full factorials and 2^(k−p) fractional factorials with generators, aliases and resolution, effects, p values and plots.
SMED setup reduction
ON THE EXAM · CSSGB V.C.2
Free SMED worksheet. List setup elements, classify internal and external work, plan separate, convert and streamline steps, and see setup time before and after.
Attribute agreement analysis
ON THE EXAM · CSSBB V.C.1, CQE IV.F
Free attribute agreement analysis. Enter ratings by appraiser and trial; get percent agreement with exact 95% intervals and Fleiss' and Cohen's kappa.
Taguchi loss function and signal-to-noise ratio
ON THE EXAM · CQPA III.F.4, CSSBB IX.C
Free Taguchi loss function calculator: k from the loss at the tolerance edge, loss per unit, average loss, and S/N ratios for all three goals.
Variables sampling plan: the k-method
ON THE EXAM · CQE IV.C.1, IV.C.2, CQPA III.C.1, III.C.2, CMDA V.C.2
Free variables sampling calculator, Z1.9 style. Enter n, k and the sample; get Q, accept or reject, the Form 2 percent nonconforming and the OC curve.
Dot plot, stem-and-leaf, probability plot and ogive
ON THE EXAM · CQE VI.A.6, VI.A.7, CSSBB V.D.4, CQPA III.B.5
Paste one column of data; get a dot plot, a stem-and-leaf display, a normal probability plot with the Anderson-Darling test, and an ogive. Free.
Time series: moving average, trend and seasonal indices
ON THE EXAM · CQE VI.E.3, CSSBB V.B.4, CMDA V.C.1
Free time-series tool: trailing or centered moving averages, a least-squares trend, seasonal indices by ratio to moving average, and a forecast.
Quality auditor tools
10 tools for planning, conducting and following up audits and running an audit program, written for the Quality Auditor (CQA) Body of Knowledge.
Audit plan and schedule
ON THE EXAM · CQA II.A.1, II.A.2, II.A.4, II.A.7, II.B.3, II.B.7
Free audit plan template. Set objectives, scope and criteria, assign team roles, build the timetable, and check scope coverage, double-booking and independence.
Process audit turtle diagram
ON THE EXAM · CQA II.A.1, II.A.6, IV.B.2
Free turtle diagram template for process audits. Map inputs, outputs, resources, people, methods and measures, then get audit questions for each arm.
Audit checklist and working papers
ON THE EXAM · CQA II.A.5, II.A.6, II.B.4, II.B.5, III.E
Free audit checklist and working paper template. Plan criteria, questions, methods and samples, record objective evidence and results, and check coverage.
Audit sampling plan
ON THE EXAM · CQA II.A.5, V.E.2, V.E.3
Free audit sampling calculator. Set confidence and tolerable error rate, size a zero-failure sample, stratify, draw the items and see what a clean result shows.
Nonconformity and audit report writer
ON THE EXAM · CQA II.B.6, II.C.1, II.C.2
Free audit finding writer. State each nonconformity as requirement, evidence and statement, grade it major, minor or OFI, and get response due dates and checks.
CAR follow-up and verification tracker
ON THE EXAM · CQA II.D.2, II.D.3, II.D.4, II.D.5
Free audit corrective action tracker. Review each response, verify implementation, schedule effectiveness checks, and escalate overdue or ineffective CARs.
Audit opening and closing meeting record
ON THE EXAM · CMDA II.B.1, CMDA II.B.7, CQPA I.C.2, CQE II.D.3, CQE II.D.4, CSQP V.A.1
Free audit opening and closing meeting record. Attendance, purpose, scope, criteria, grading and confidentiality; then findings, auditee concurrence, conclusion and next steps.
Auditor competence evaluation
ON THE EXAM · CQA II.A.2, III.A, IV.A.3
Free auditor competence evaluation template. Rate behavior, knowledge and experience against the role, record methods and evidence, and plan development.
Risk-based audit program and schedule
ON THE EXAM · CQA IV.A.2, IV.A.5, IV.A.8
Free risk-based audit program template. Score each process on importance, past results and change, set audit frequency, and check auditor independence and load.
Audit program metrics
ON THE EXAM · CQA IV.A.4, IV.A.9
Free audit program metrics dashboard. Track audits done on time, findings per audit, CAR closure time, overdue CARs, repeat findings and auditor use by quarter.
Inspection, measurement and calibration tools
18 tools for drawings, GD&T, measurement, calibration and inspection records, written for the Quality Inspector (CQI) and Quality Technician (CQT) Bodies of Knowledge, plus a reliability calculator for the Quality Engineer (CQE).
Drawing title block tolerance reader
ON THE EXAM · CQI III.A.1, III.A.2, CQT IV.A.1
Free drawing tolerance reader. Enter the title block tolerances and dimensions as written; get the limits by decimal places, limit and unilateral dimensions.
Position tolerance and bonus calculator
ON THE EXAM · CQI III.A.3, III.A.4, CQT IV.A.2
Free true position calculator. Enter size limits, the position tolerance and X/Y deviations; get position, bonus tolerance at MMC or LMC and accept or reject.
Tolerance stack-up calculator
ON THE EXAM · CQI I.A, III.A.1
Free tolerance stack-up calculator. Enter a dimension chain with plus and minus tolerances; get the worst-case and RSS gap, the largest contributor and a fix.
Gauge selection and resolution checker
ON THE EXAM · CQI II.C.1, II.C.2, I.E, CQT IV.B.2, IV.B.5
Free gauge selection checker. Compare instrument resolution and accuracy with the tolerance using the 10:1 rule, with exact inch and millimeter conversion.
Measurement uncertainty budget
ON THE EXAM · CQI II.F.1, CQT III.C.3
Free measurement uncertainty budget. Combine Type A and Type B sources by root-sum-square, apply a coverage factor, and check TUR and guard bands.
Sine bar and height gauge record
ON THE EXAM · CQI I.D, II.D.1, II.D.2
Free sine bar calculator and surface plate record. Get the gauge block stack for an angle on a 5 in or 100 mm bar and judge height gauge readings to tolerance.
Calibration recall and out-of-tolerance impact
ON THE EXAM · CQI II.F.4, CQT III.C.2
Free calibration recall tracker. Flag overdue and out-of-tolerance gauges, then assess the product they accepted since the last good calibration.
Calibration interval adjustment
ON THE EXAM · CQI II.F.1, CQT III.C.1, III.C.2
Free calibration interval tool. Enter each gauge's as-found history and get an extend, hold or shorten decision, the next interval and the next due date.
First article inspection record
ON THE EXAM · CQI III.C.1, IV.F.4, CQT IV.B.6
Free first article inspection record. Account for every ballooned characteristic, compute limits and pass or fail, and check tools, certs and partial FAI scope.
Attribute inspection and defect classification
ON THE EXAM · CQI III.B.4, III.C.5, CQT IV.A.3, IV.C.1
Free attribute inspection record. Classify defects as critical, major or minor, count defects and defectives, and accept or reject the lot by sampling plan.
Nonconforming material and MRB disposition
ON THE EXAM · CQI III.C.4, III.C.6, CQT IV.D.1, IV.D.2
Free nonconforming material report. Record the nonconformance, reconcile containment quantities, and track MRB dispositions, approvals and concessions.
Reliability and MTBF calculator
ON THE EXAM · CQE (reliability and maintainability), CMQ/OE IV.C.8
Free reliability calculator. Estimate MTBF and failure rate from test data, find R(t) with the exponential model, and combine series and parallel blocks.
SI and metrology unit converter
ON THE EXAM · CCT I.A, I.B, I.C, IV.D.1, IV.D.2, IV.D.3, IV.D.8
Free metrology unit converter with exact NIST factors: length, pressure, torque, force, flow, temperature, SI prefixes, notation, angles, ppm and dB.
IM&TE accuracy specification calculator
ON THE EXAM · CCT II.D, II.C, V.D.1
Free IM&TE accuracy spec calculator. Turn ±(% of reading + % of range + counts) into the allowed error and limits at each test point, with a floor and a chart.
TUR, TAR and guard-band calculator
ON THE EXAM · CCT IV.A, IV.C, CQE IV.E
Free TUR and guard-band calculator. Get TUR and TAR, guard-banded acceptance limits by several methods, and the false-accept and false-reject probabilities.
Calibration certificate and label record
ON THE EXAM · CCT III.H, III.G, IV.C, V.D.1, V.D.2, CQE IV.E, CMDA III.D.7
Free calibration certificate template: as-found and as-left readings, a decision rule, the conformity statement, the label, and an ISO/IEC 17025 elements check.
Rounding and significant figures
ON THE EXAM · CCT IV.D.5, II.C
Free rounding calculator: significant figures, decimal places or an increment; half up, half to even and truncation; the rules for sums and products.
Interpolation from a calibration table
ON THE EXAM · CCT IV.D.4, IV.D.7
Free calibration table interpolation: the correction at any reading from a certificate table, with slope, intercept, a best-fit line and extrapolation flagged.
Quality manager tools
21 tools for planning, running and improving a quality system, written for the Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) Body of Knowledge.
Change management plan
ON THE EXAM · CMQ/OE I.B.3, I.B.4, I.B.5
Free change management plan. Kotter's eight steps, a resistance grid using Kotter and Schlesinger's six strategies, empowerment and a support gap chart.
Ethics and compliance decision guide
ON THE EXAM · CMQ/OE I.D.1, I.D.2, I.D.3
Free ethical decision worksheet for quality professionals: stakeholders, obligations, compliance areas, and options tested for legality, policy and publicity.
Strategic plan builder
ON THE EXAM · CMQ/OE II.A, II.C.1, III.D.1
Free strategic plan template. Write mission, vision, values and quality policy, link objectives to tactics, and check each tactic against SMART criteria.
SWOT and PESTLE analysis
ON THE EXAM · CMQ/OE II.B.1, II.B.4, II.B.6
Free SWOT and PESTLE template. Score external factors by impact and likelihood, see a ranked 2x2 SWOT, and turn it into SO, WO, ST and WT strategy options.
Hoshin X-matrix
ON THE EXAM · CMQ/OE II.C.2, II.C.4
Free hoshin kanri X-matrix template. Link breakthrough and annual objectives, priorities, metrics and owners, then see the X-matrix drawn with its gaps.
Balanced scorecard
ON THE EXAM · CMQ/OE II.C.3, III.D.3
Free balanced scorecard template. Objectives and leading or lagging measures in the four Kaplan and Norton perspectives, status against target, strategy map.
NPV, IRR and payback
ON THE EXAM · CMQ/OE III.A.5
Free NPV and IRR calculator for comparing projects. Enter outlay and yearly cash flows to get NPV, IRR, payback, discounted payback, ROI, PI, and an ROA check.
Lessons learned register
ON THE EXAM · CMQ/OE III.A.7, III.C.4
Free lessons learned register and project close-out template. Record results against goal, lessons with owners, tacit knowledge and a knowledge-transfer plan.
Management review
ON THE EXAM · CMQ/OE III.D.3, III.E.1
Free ISO 9001 management review template. Record the 9.3.2 inputs, a QMS scorecard and 9.3.3 output actions, with checks for gaps and overdue items.
Cost of quality
ON THE EXAM · CMQ/OE IV.A.5
Free cost of quality calculator using the PAF model. Sort costs into prevention, appraisal, internal and external failure and see COQ as a percent of sales.
Constraints and OEE
ON THE EXAM · CMQ/OE IV.B.4, IV.B.3
Free theory of constraints and OEE calculator. Find the bottleneck from step capacities and demand, then calculate availability, performance, quality and OEE.
Customer value and segmentation
ON THE EXAM · CMQ/OE V.A.3, V.B.2, V.B.4
Free customer segmentation and lifetime value calculator. Compare margin, cost to serve and retention by segment, value a retention gain and align service.
QFD house of quality
ON THE EXAM · CMQ/OE V.B.1
Free QFD house of quality builder. Weight customer needs, rate 9/3/1 relationships to technical characteristics, add a correlation roof and rank the hows.
Supplier scorecard
ON THE EXAM · CMQ/OE VI.A, VI.C, VI.D, VI.F
Free weighted supplier scorecard. Score quality (PPM), delivery, total cost of ownership and service, classify suppliers and flag who needs a SCAR or exit plan.
Training needs skills matrix
ON THE EXAM · CMQ/OE VII.B, III.A.4
Free skills matrix and training needs analysis tool. Score people 0 to 4 against required levels and see gaps, single points of failure and training priorities.
Training plan and Kirkpatrick evaluation
ON THE EXAM · CMQ/OE VII.A, VII.D
Free training plan template linked to strategy, with a Kirkpatrick four-level evaluation plan, target versus actual at each level, and Phillips training ROI.
Meeting agenda and action log
ON THE EXAM · CQPA I.D.5, CSSBB III.C.2, CQE I.E.1, CSQP V.B.2
Free meeting agenda and action log. Time each item, name the facilitator, timekeeper and scribe, record decisions, and give every action one owner and one due date.
Customer survey designer and analyzer
ON THE EXAM · CQPA IV.B, CQE I.G, CQE VI.A.2, CSSBB IV.A.2, CSSBB II.C.1
Free customer survey tool. Check question wording, then analyze Likert answers (mean, median, top-box with margin of error) and net promoter score by segment.
Gemba walk and daily huddle board
ON THE EXAM · CSSBB V.A.2, CQE V.D.4, CMDA V.B.3
Free tiered huddle board. Track safety, quality, delivery and cost red or green by day, log gemba observations with one owner and date, and age the open actions.
Design review and DFX checklist
ON THE EXAM · CQE III.B.2, CQE III.B.3, CSSBB IX.B, CSQP III.A.1, CMDA III.D.2
Free design review checklist with design for X questions: manufacturability, assembly, test, service, reliability, cost and environment. Record findings and the gate decision.
KPI dashboard builder
ON THE EXAM · CQE VI.A.5, CQE I.B.2, CSSBB II.C.1, CSSBB VIII.D.4, CSQP IV.A.2
Free KPI dashboard builder. Enter measures with targets and history; get red, amber and green status, sparklines, trends, and a line-of-sight check from each KPI to its objective.
Process, planning and risk tools
10 tools for mapping processes, planning projects and analyzing risk and probability, written for the Quality Process Analyst (CQPA), Quality Engineer (CQE) and Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) Bodies of Knowledge, and useful for supplier quality and medical device auditing.
Flowchart and swimlane process map
ON THE EXAM · CQPA II.B, CQE V.A.1, CSSBB V.A.2, CSQP VI.B, CMDA V.A, CCT V.B
Free flowchart and swimlane builder. List the steps, decisions and who does each one; get the map drawn with handoffs, loops and value-added time marked.
Activity network, critical path and PERT
ON THE EXAM · CQPA II.D.1, II.D.2, CQE V.B.7, CSSBB IV.D.5
Free critical path (CPM) and PERT calculator. Enter activities, predecessors and three-point estimates; get ES, EF, LS, LF, slack, the critical path and the chance of finishing by a date.
Risk register and heat map
ON THE EXAM · CQE VII.B, VII.C.1, CQPA II.C.4, CSSBB VI.C.1, CSQP II.A, II.B, CMDA IV.A
Free risk register with a 5x5 heat map. Score likelihood and impact, set risk criteria, choose avoid, reduce, transfer or accept, and see the residual risk after the actions.
Fault tree analysis
ON THE EXAM · CSSBB VI.D.2, CSQP II.B.1, IV.C, CMDA V.A, CQE III.E.4
Free fault tree analysis builder. Build AND and OR gates down to basic events; get the top-event probability, the minimal cut sets, single points of failure and event importance.
Probability calculator
ON THE EXAM · CQPA III.A.3, CQE VI.B.3, CSSBB V.E.1, CQE III.E
Free probability calculator. Addition and multiplication rules, conditional probability, complements, combinations and permutations, at-least-one, and series and parallel system reliability.
Affinity diagram
ON THE EXAM · CQPA II.D.1, CQE V.B.1, CSSBB IV.D.1, CMDA V.A
Free affinity diagram tool. Write idea cards, sort them into groups under header cards, and get the diagram drawn, with checks for loners and weak headers.
Interrelationship digraph
ON THE EXAM · CQPA II.D.1, CQE V.B.5, CSSBB IV.D.7
Free interrelationship digraph tool. List issues, enter cause-and-effect arrows, and get the in and out counts, the key driver and the key outcome, drawn.
Process decision program chart (PDPC)
ON THE EXAM · CQPA II.D.1, CQE V.B.3, CSSBB IV.D.6
Free PDPC tool. For each plan step, list what could go wrong and the countermeasures, mark each practical (O) or not (X), and get the chart drawn.
Matrix diagram (L-shaped and T-shaped)
ON THE EXAM · CQPA II.D.1, CQE V.B.4, CSSBB IV.D.3
Free L- and T-shaped matrix diagram tool. Mark strong, medium and weak relationships (9, 3, 1); get row and column totals and flags for empty rows.
Force field analysis
ON THE EXAM · CQE V.B.1, CQE I.E.2
Free force field analysis tool. Weight driving and restraining forces 1 to 5, plan actions, and see the totals and the balance before and after, drawn.
Lean and daily management tools
6 tools for pull, flow, standard work, 5S and error-proofing, written for the lean topics of the CQPA, CQE and CSSBB Bodies of Knowledge.
Kanban sizing calculator
ON THE EXAM · CQE V.D.3, CQPA II.C.1, CSSBB VII.B.1, CSQP IV.A.3, CMDA V.B.3
Free kanban calculator. Enter demand, lead time, safety factor and container size; get the number of kanbans, stock in the loop and days of cover.
5S and 6S audit scorecard
ON THE EXAM · CQE V.D.1, CQPA II.C.1, CSSBB VII.B.1, CSQP IV.A.3, CMDA V.B.3, CCT V.F.3
Free 5S and 6S audit scorecard. Score each S against your own criteria, add the audit to a history, and see each area's trend against the target.
Error-proofing (poka-yoke) worksheet
ON THE EXAM · CQE V.F, CQPA II.C.1, V.B, CSSBB VII.B.1, CSQP IV.A.3, CMDA V.B.3
Free poka-yoke worksheet. List each error, the device, its approach, method and function; rank the devices by strength and check verification and effectiveness.
Standardized work combination sheet
ON THE EXAM · CQE V.D.6, V.D.7, CSSBB VII.B.1, CSQP IV.A.3, CMDA V.B.3
Free standardized work combination sheet. Enter manual, walk and machine time per element; see the chart against takt and where the operator waits.
Heijunka production leveling
ON THE EXAM · CSSBB VII.B.2
Free heijunka calculator. Enter each product's demand; get daily quantities, the repeating mix pattern, takt or pitch, and a check against demand.
Spaghetti diagram
ON THE EXAM · CSSBB V.A.2, CQPA II.C.1
Free spaghetti diagram maker. Place stations, enter the routes walked, and get the paths drawn with the distance per day, before and after a layout change.
Supplier quality tools
7 tools for selecting, qualifying, classifying and managing suppliers, written for the Supplier Quality Professional (CSQP) Body of Knowledge and the supplier topics of CQPA and CQE.
Supplier selection matrix with total risk factor
ON THE EXAM · CSQP I.B.1, II.B.1, III.B.1, III.B.2, III.B.3, CQPA IV.D.1, CQE I.H.1, CMDA III.D.4
Free weighted supplier selection matrix. Knock-out criteria, weighted scores, a total risk factor for each candidate, ranking, chart and a sensitivity check.
PPAP and part, process and service qualification plan
ON THE EXAM · CSQP III.C.3, III.C.4, III.C.5, CQPA IV.C, CQE I.H.1, III.D, IV.A
Free PPAP checklist and qualification plan: the 18 elements by submission level, owners, due dates, capability and MSA criteria, and run at rate.
Supplier classification and lifecycle
ON THE EXAM · CSQP I.B.2, I.B.3, V.C, CQPA IV.D.1, IV.D.2, CQE I.H.1, I.H.2, CMDA III.D.4
Free supplier classification tool. Set the rules, enter scores, audits and certificates, and see who to promote, hold, demote or disqualify.
Kraljic portfolio matrix
ON THE EXAM · CSQP II.A.4, I.B.4, I.C.2
Free Kraljic matrix. Score purchases on supply risk and profit impact; see each one placed as strategic, leverage, bottleneck or non-critical.
Make/buy analysis
ON THE EXAM · CSQP I.C.3, I.C.1
Free make/buy analysis. Total cost of each option, break-even volume chart, capability and capacity, weighted scoring of strategic factors and a SWOT summary.
Supplier quality agreement checklist
ON THE EXAM · CSQP I.D.1, I.D.2, I.D.3, I.D.4, II.A.3, V.A.3, VII.C.1, CMDA III.D.4
Free supplier quality agreement checklist. 23 standard elements with clause references, a weighted completeness score, change notification terms and approvals.
Supplier onboarding checklist
ON THE EXAM · CSQP VI.A, I.E, VI.C, IV.A.1, V.B.3
Free supplier onboarding checklist. Contacts, 19 standard items in six phases, gate items before first shipment, a communication plan and a readiness chart.
Validation, design control and regulated-industry tools
8 tools for risk management, validation, design control, data integrity and complaint handling, written for the Medical Device Auditor (CMDA) Body of Knowledge and the related CQE topics.
Hazard analysis and risk control
ON THE EXAM · CMDA IV.A.1, IV.A.2, CQE III.E.4, VII.A.1, VII.B.2, VII.C.1
Free medical device hazard analysis. Hazard, sequence of events, hazardous situation and harm; P1 x P2, severity, your risk matrix, controls and residual risk.
IQ/OQ/PQ validation protocol
ON THE EXAM · CQE III.D, CMDA IV.H, III.D.6, CQPA IV.C, CSQP III.C.3, CCT III.F
Free IQ/OQ/PQ protocol builder. Scope, test cases with acceptance criteria, worst-case OQ, PQ runs, deviations and approvals, with a report status check.
Requirements traceability matrix
ON THE EXAM · CQE III.B.1, III.B.2, III.D, CMDA III.D.2, IV.A.2
Free design control traceability matrix. Link user needs, design inputs, outputs, verification and validation; find orphans and untested requirements.
ALCOA+ data integrity checklist
ON THE EXAM · CMDA II.B.3, III.A.1, III.D.3, CQPA III.B.4, CCT III.G
Free ALCOA+ data integrity checklist. Assess paper and electronic records against the nine attributes; get scores by attribute and record, and findings.
Lot traceability and genealogy record
ON THE EXAM · CQPA IV.E, CQE IV.B.1, CMDA III.D.5, III.E
Free lot genealogy tool. Link component lots to assemblies, serials and shipments; trace forward or back, and bound a recall to the customers affected.
Complaint handling and reportability decision guide
ON THE EXAM · CMDA III.D.11, III.D.12, III.E, CQE VII.C.4
Free complaint reportability study aid. Walk a medical device complaint through the MDR questions, see the decision path, report due date and trend.
Shelf-life accelerated aging calculator
ON THE EXAM · CMDA IV.B.3, IV.B.4
Free accelerated aging calculator. ASTM F1980-style Q10 or Arrhenius: aging factor, chamber days for a shelf-life claim, or the temperature for a fixed time.
Alert and action levels
ON THE EXAM · CMDA V.A, III.D.6
Free alert and action level calculator: percentile, mean + k SD, Poisson or negative binomial levels from monitoring history; charts new results, flags trends.
Problem solving and change control tools
6 tools for structured problem solving, reacting to out-of-control signals, benchmarking and controlling engineering changes, written for the CQPA, CQE and CSSBB Bodies of Knowledge.
Engineering change impact checklist
ON THE EXAM · CQPA I.B.6, CQE II.B.2, CQE IV.B.1, CSQP IV.C.2, CSQP V.A.3, CMDA III.D.2, III.D.3
Free engineering change checklist: every document, plan, gauge and stock location a change touches, with owner, verification, effectivity and sign-off.
8D report
ON THE EXAM · CSQP IV.C.2, CQPA V.A, CQE V.E, CMDA III.D.9
Free 8D report: D0 to D8 with team, 5W2H, verified containment, occurrence and escape causes, verify and validate, prevention and a status timeline.
Is / Is Not problem specification
ON THE EXAM · CMDA V.A, CQE V.E, CSSBB VI.D.2
Free Is / Is Not (Kepner-Tregoe) worksheet. Specify what, where, when and extent; find distinctions and changes; test each possible cause against both sides.
A3 problem-solving report
ON THE EXAM · CSSBB VI.D.2, CQPA II.A, CQE V.C.3
Free A3 problem-solving report. Background, current condition, goal, root cause, countermeasures, plan and follow-up, with a run chart, on one landscape page.
Out-of-control action plan (OCAP)
ON THE EXAM · CQPA III.E.5, CQE VI.F.6, CSSBB VIII.A.5, VIII.C.2, CMDA V.A
Free OCAP builder. Chart signals, checks in order, actions and escalation drawn as a flowchart, with an event log that shows which causes keep coming back.
Benchmarking gap worksheet
ON THE EXAM · CQPA II.C.3, CQE I.B.2.a, CSSBB II.B, VI.D.1, CSQP V.A.4
Free benchmarking worksheet: your measures against a partner's, the gap, % to improve, % of benchmark, the practices behind it and an adaptation plan.
Calculators
Control charts, capability, gauge R&R, Pareto, sigma level and more are on the calculators page.