Which chart helps identify problems that offer the greatest potential for improvement?

The Pareto chart is particularly effective in identifying problems that offer the greatest potential for improvement due to its ability to visually represent the frequency or impact of problems in a descending order. This chart is based on the Pareto principle, which suggests that a small number of causes often lead to the majority of problems or effects. By clearly illustrating which issues are the most significant, it allows teams to prioritize their efforts on those that will yield the highest impact when addressed.

This chart uses bars to show individual values in the dataset and a cumulative line graph to outline the total percentage of problems, effectively highlighting the "vital few" against the "trivial many." This helps organizations focus on key areas for improvement that could lead to substantial enhancements in quality and safety.

In contrast, control charts monitor variations in processes over time, line charts track changes and trends in data over a continuous period, and pie charts display proportions of parts to a whole but do not prioritize issues based on severity or potential impact. These other charts lack the specific focus on identifying major problems that the Pareto chart excels at providing.