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Which diagram is used to identify problems causing the GREATEST number of defects?

  1. Flow charting

  2. Statistical sampling

  3. Scatter diagram

  4. Pareto diagram

The correct answer is: Pareto diagram

A Pareto diagram, also known as a Pareto chart, is specifically designed to identify and prioritize problems based on their impact. The principle behind it is rooted in the 80/20 rule, which suggests that approximately 80% of problems result from 20% of the causes. By organizing and displaying data in this way, the Pareto diagram helps project managers and teams to focus on the most significant factors contributing to defects. In a Pareto diagram, issues are arranged in descending order based on the frequency or impact of defects. This visual representation makes it easier to identify which problems are responsible for the greatest number of defects, allowing teams to prioritize their efforts on addressing those issues that will yield the most significant improvements. The other options serve different purposes: flow charting is used for mapping processes, statistical sampling is utilized for making inferences about a population from a sample, and scatter diagrams are helpful for examining relationships between variables, but none of these directly prioritize problems in terms of their impact on defect rates like the Pareto diagram does.