What is the main use of a scatter plot in Six Sigma?

The primary function of a scatter plot in Six Sigma is to identify relationships between two variables. By plotting one variable along the x-axis and another along the y-axis, a scatter plot allows practitioners to observe patterns, correlations, or trends that may indicate a relationship between the two. This relationship can be crucial in determining the cause-and-effect dynamics within a process, as it helps teams visualize how changes in one variable might influence another.

This visibility is particularly important in the context of Six Sigma, where understanding the factors that impact quality and performance is essential for process improvement. For example, if a scatter plot demonstrates a positive correlation between the amount of training employees receive and their accuracy in task completion, it indicates that increasing training could lead to better performance.

Other options, although related to data analysis, serve different purposes. Identifying variations in a single variable is better suited for techniques like control charts. Visualizing data distributions commonly involves histograms or box plots, which summarize data over a single variable rather than examining the relationship between two. Mapping process flows, on the other hand, is concerned with understanding the sequence of steps in a process, making it unrelated to the function of a scatter plot.