What does a Pareto chart help identify in quality management?

A Pareto chart is a graphical tool used in quality management to identify and prioritize problems or defects based on their frequency. It operates on the principle that a small number of causes often lead to a large percentage of the problems, which is commonly referred to as the 80/20 rule. By displaying data in descending order of frequency, it allows teams to quickly identify which issues are most prevalent and may need immediate attention to drive significant improvements. The visual representation makes it easier to comprehend where efforts should be concentrated for maximum impact on quality improvement initiatives.

This approach is particularly effective in quality management because it enables organizations to focus their resources and efforts on addressing the most pressing quality issues first, thus achieving better overall results in their processes and products.