What is QUALITY?

Quality – a word that surrounds us personally and professionally, possibly throughout our lifecycle. 

It has different meanings as well:  

  • The standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind.
  • The degree of excellence of something.
  • A distinctive attribute or characteristic possessed by someone or something.

When assessing a product or a service, quality can be separated as:

A. User-based – “consistent, long-term, and on-target performance of products and services in the hands of the customer”.

B. Manufacturing-based – conformance to standards, making it right the first time.

C. Product-based – specific and measurable attributes of the product; features.

So, how do companies manage for quality? Joseph M. Juran, arguably the Father of Quality, in his book Quality by Design stated, “Quality is largely determined during the planning process”. Who does the quality planning? He pointed out that most quality planning is done by amateurs – by people who have NOT been trained in the use of the “quality disciplines” – the methodology, skills, and tools required to plan for quality. He admonished “Train the amateurs to become professionals.” Quality professionals are needed throughout the manufacturing process – from design, manufacturing to product shipment.

In our series of blogs, we begin discussions on the basic quality tools to help our audience spend more time thinking about quality. Correct use of the quality tools can ensure that products and services offer the best value for the lowest price consistently and uniformly.  Which of these tools do you use (practice regularly)?

  1. Thought Process Map
  2. Cause and Effect Diagrams
  3. Flow Charts
  4. Histograms
  5. Pareto Charts
  6. Scatter Diagrams
  7. Control Charts
  8. Checksheets/Checklists

Quality – Our attitude to gain E-quality – ANISH SHAH

 

What is your definition of QUALITY?  

Do you have a tool you would like our QC Training Services’ experts to discuss? Send a note to us here.