Control charts are tools used in quality control to monitor a process over time. They help identify variations in the process, distinguishing between normal fluctuations and those that may indicate a problem. By plotting data points on a graph, control charts provide a visual representation of how a process behaves, allowing teams to make informed decisions about improvements. Typically, a control chart includes a central line representing the average of the data, along with upper and lower control limits. These limits are calculated based on the variability of the process. When data points fall outside these limits, it signals that something may be wrong, prompting further investigation and action to maintain quality.