In this article a combined signed directed graph (SIDG) and qualitative trend analysis (QTA) framework for incipient fault diagnosis has been proposed. The SDG is the first level in this framework and provides a possible candidate set of faults based on the incipient response of the process. The search for the actual fault is performed based on a QTA (level 2), which uses the temporal evolution of the sensors for further resolution. Thus, this framework combines the completeness property of SDG with the high diagnostic resolution property of QTA. Methods to address the problem of incorrect diagnosis arising due to incorrect measurement of initial response have also been presented. The proposed approach is tested on the Tennessee Eastman (TE) case study. Correct fault diagnosis is performed in all possible single fault scenarios. It is shown that this framework provides fast, reliable and accurate incipient fault diagnosis. © 2007 Institution of Chemical Engineers.