ParetoBase

Pareto Scrap Analysis MCP Tool

Ask Claude or any MCP-compatible AI assistant to run a Pareto analysis on your scrap data. Paste your defect counts into the conversation — the tool ranks them, identifies your vital few, and recommends where to focus first.

Example conversation

Claude — with Pareto Base MCP

Our stamping line has these scrap counts this month: Dimensional rejection: 82, Surface scratch: 45, Weld crack: 23, Contamination: 12. Can you run a Pareto analysis?

Used toolanalyze_pareto
{
  "defect_counts": {
    "Dimensional rejection": 82,
    "Surface scratch": 45,
    "Weld crack": 23,
    "Contamination": 12
  },
  "threshold": 80
}
Total events
162
Vital few (80%)
2 types
Top contributor
Dimensional
Scrap countCumulative %80% threshold

Here's your Pareto analysis for the stamping line this month.

The two blue bars — Dimensional rejection and Surface scratch — are your "vital few." Together they account for 78.4% of all scrap events (127 out of 162). That's just barely under the classic 80% threshold, making them the clear focal point.

Recommended priority order:

  1. Dimensional rejection (82 events, 50.6%) — This is the obvious first campaign target. A 30% reduction here alone would eliminate ~25 scrap events per month. Likely causes to investigate: tooling wear, press calibration drift, or incoming material variation.

  2. Surface scratch (45 events, 27.8%) — Strong second target once dimensional is under control. Often tied to handling, fixture contact points, or coil strip condition.

  3. Weld crack (23 events, 14.2%) — Worth monitoring but not the first fight. Address after gains from the top two are stable.

  4. Contamination (12 events, 7.4%) — Low volume; a procedural fix (housekeeping, staging area controls) is probably sufficient here.

Want me to run a campaign target recommendation or estimate the cost impact of reducing your top defect?

Tools available

analyze_pareto

Full Pareto analysis with ranked table, cumulative percentages, vital few identification, and campaign target recommendation.

"Analyze these defect counts and tell me what to focus on first."

identify_vital_few

Quick summary of just the defect types that account for the majority of scrap — for fast "where should we focus?" questions.

"Which defects are causing most of our scrap?"

suggest_campaign_target

Recommends a specific campaign target with a reduction goal, duration, and step-by-step plan for running it in Pareto Base.

"What defect type should we run a campaign on next quarter?"

How to use it

  1. 1

    Add the Pareto Base MCP server to your AI assistant (Claude Desktop, Cursor, or any MCP-compatible client).

  2. 2

    Pull your scrap counts for the period — from your scrap log, ERP, or even a quick tally from the shop floor.

  3. 3

    Paste the counts into your conversation and ask for a Pareto analysis. The AI will call the tool and return a ranked breakdown.

  4. 4

    Use the vital few and campaign target recommendation to prioritise your next corrective action.

What is Pareto analysis in manufacturing?

Pareto analysis (also called the 80/20 rule) is the most widely used tool in manufacturing quality to prioritise defect reduction efforts. It ranks defect types by their contribution to total scrap volume and identifies the "vital few" — the small number of defect types that typically account for 70–80% of all scrap events.

The principle was named after economist Vilfredo Pareto and popularised in manufacturing quality by Joseph Juran. It is a foundational technique in ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and most continuous improvement frameworks (Lean, Six Sigma, 8D).

Why use an AI assistant for Pareto analysis?

Traditional Pareto analysis requires pulling data from a scrap log, sorting it in Excel, building a chart, and interpreting the results. With the Pareto Base MCP tool, you can paste raw defect counts into a conversation and get a full analysis — ranked table, cumulative percentages, vital few identification, and a recommended campaign target — in seconds, without leaving your AI assistant.

This is especially useful for quality managers doing weekly reviews, CI leads preparing for tier meetings, or anyone who wants a quick "where should we focus?" answer without opening a spreadsheet.

Want your Pareto to update automatically?

Pareto Base tracks every scrap event as operators log it and rebuilds your Pareto chart in real time — no manual data entry required.

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