"The Quality Toolbox" by Nancy R. Tague, published by ASQC Quality Press (611 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202), 1995, 298 pages. A Book Review by Norman C. Frank, PE, CQE, CQA CER Corporation, Washington, DC "The Quality Toolbox" is a compendium of 52 quality tools, from the familiar to the unfamiliar. Each of the tools is covered in six parts: Description, When to Use, Procedure, Example, Variations, and Considerations. The strength of the book is that the author provides examples throughout the book to help understanding. There is even an example of how to use the book! 102 Figures provide visual explanation of the tools and concepts being discussed. Thirteen tables provide additional illustration of how to use the tools as well as the book. Table 1.1 is the Tool Matrix that shows which tools can best serve the current need. The tools are arranged into six categories: idea creation, process analysis, cause analysis, planning, evaluation, and data collection and analysis tools. The matrix also shows whether the tools are best for expanding or focussing our thinking. The 52 tools are: ACORN Test Activity Chart Affinity Diagram Benefits and Barriers Box Plot Brainstorming Brainwriting Checksheet Contingency Diagram Continuum of Team Goals Control Charts Cost-of-Quality Analysis Decision Matrix Deployment Flowchart Effective-Achievable Matrix Fishbone Diagram Flowchart Force Field Analysis Graphs Histogram Importance-Performance Analysis Is-Is Not Matrix Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test List Reduction for Normality Matrix Diagram Mission Statement Mission Statement Checklist Wordsmithing Multivoting Nominal Group Technique Normal Probability Plot Operational Definitions Pareto Chart Performance Index Plan-Do-Check-Act Cycle Plan-Results Matrix PMI Process Capability Relations Diagram Requirements Matrix Requirements-and- Run Chart Scatter Diagram Measures Tree Story board Stratification Survey Top-Down Flowchart Tree Diagram Why-Why Diagram Work-Flow Diagram This book is well written and clear. The examples use everything from your bowling scores to how to fill a customer order. This book is good for general reading to familiarize the reader with the concepts and how to apply them. The book can be used as a text for your own in-house training in the tools. A facilitator would be able to pick up the book and immediately apply the tools to a variety of situations. ---------------- Mr. Frank has over 25 years experience in the field of quality, in the areas of nuclear quality assurance, research and development, and consulting. He is currently in Washington, D.C., with CER Corporation out of Las Vegas, Nevada.