The document provides instructions for using a Pareto chart tool created by ABCi. It explains that when opening the chart, users will need to enable editing and content by clicking buttons. It then defines what a Pareto chart is and how it can help identify the most common problems by focusing on the highest contributing causes. Steps for creating the chart are outlined, such as inputting label and data columns, setting the percentage level, and generating the chart. The finished chart will highlight the bars representing the highest percentage of causes to focus improvement efforts on.

1. © ABCi, 2020 Capability | Innovation | Delivery
ABCi Charts Guide
Pareto Chart

2. © ABCi, 2020 Capability | Innovation | Delivery
When the ABCi Chart has opened you will find that the VBA macros in
the background additionally need activation. This happens in several
steps.
1. Click the ‘Enable Editing’ button.

3. © ABCi, 2020 Capability | Innovation | Delivery
The next step when opening the ABCi Chart is to respond to what
comes up on the screen next:
2. Click the ‘Enable Content’ button.
Please be patient when the ABCi Chart opens – an impressive amount
of Visual Basic code is working in the background and it may take a
little while for the tool to be ready for use. Please don’t stress Excel by
clicking a lot of buttons.

4. © ABCi, 2020 Capability | Innovation | Delivery
• Pareto analysis is a simple technique to allow you to identify the
most commonly occurring problems.
• The Pareto principle is that 80% of the problem is derived from 20%
of the causes.
• The method can be useful after a cause and effect analysis where
contribution can be quantified.
• A Pareto chart helps you focus your attention on the causes/issues
that have the greatest potential for improvement.
• For more information please refer to the ABCI Pareto Chart – Skills
for Improvement Guide on ABCi webpages
What is a Pareto Chart?

5. © ABCi, 2020 Capability | Innovation | Delivery
Creating your Pareto chart
• Copy or type in the causes/labels into
the ‘Add Label Here’ column, and the
counts associated with each into the
‘Data’ column.
• Enter your data into two columns of the
Pareto chart tool
• Insert your chart title in the ‘Title’ box
• If you wish to change the percentage
level from 80% you can do this in the
‘Level’ box.
• When you’re happy all of your data is
input and correct, press the ‘Make
Pareto’ box for your chart to be created.

6. © ABCi, 2020 Capability | Innovation | Delivery
Your Pareto Chart
The highlighted bars will represent your
80% (unless you have changed the
percentage level) and therefore these
should be the areas to focus your efforts
upon. The grey bars are the remaining
20% which can be left alone for now.
To clear the Pareto chart and begin
again, click on the ‘Reset’ button to be
taken back to the start.
Congratulations- you’ve made a Pareto Chart!

7. © ABCi, 2020 Capability | Innovation | Delivery
• We hope you’ve have found the ABCi Pareto Chart tool useful!
• For more information about Pareto Charts, have a look at the guide
as part of the ABCi Skills for Improvement library on ABCi webpages
• ABCi Charts have been developed using ‘Storytelling with Data’ and
human factors principles.
• If you would like to give us any feedback regarding the ABCi Charts
Pareto Tool, you can do so by emailing the ABCi team at :
ABCi.ABB@wales.nhs.uk
Feedback

8. © ABCi, 2020 Capability | Innovation | Delivery
Aneurin Bevan Continuous Improvement
@ABCiAb
ABCi.ABB@wales.nhs.uk
01633 431731