ACTIVITIES OF QUALITY

ACTIVITIES OF QUALITY

In the manufacturing industry, activities concerned with quality can be divided into six stages:

1. Product Planning:
planning for the function, price, life cycle, etc. of the product concerned.

2. Product Design:
designing the product to have the functions decided in product planning.

3. Process Design:
designing the manufacturing process to have the functions decided in the product design.

4. Production:
the process of actually making the product so that it is of the designed quality.

5. Sales:
activities to sell the manufactured product.

6. After-Sales Service:
customer service activities such as maintenance and product services.


It is important to note that company-wide activities are necessary to improve quality and productivity at each of the six stages mentioned above. A company needs to build an overall quality system in which all activities interact to produce products of designed quality with minimum costs.

Note that there are three different characteristics of quality in an overall quality system in the manufacturing industry:

1. Quality of Design:
Quality of product planning, product design and process design.
                              

2. Quality of Conformance:
Quality of production.


3. Quality of Service:
Quality of sales and after-sales services.


Nowadays, these three aspects of quality are equally important in the manufacturing company. If any one of them is not up to the mark, then the overall quality system is unbalanced, and the company will face serious problems.

Although these definitions are somewhat different, some common ideas run through them. Quality involves developing specifications to meet customer needs (quality of design), manufacturing products which satisfy those specifications (quality of conformance), and then providing after-sales services.

However, Taguchi’s definition of product quality is unusual. The loss he refers to may be caused by variability of function, or by harmful side-effects. Hence, if a product costs society no loss, the product is of the best quality, and the poorer the product’s quality is, the greater the cost of the product to the society.

An example of loss caused by variability of function would be an automobile tire that does not last long. The driver would suffer a loss if he replaced the flat tire in the middle of a highway at night because the tire has an unexpectedly short life.

An example of loss caused by a harmful side-effect would be a cold medicine which causes drowsiness in the person who takes it. Then the person would suffer a loss if this drowsiness caused him to be unable to work.

NEXT POST:  Taguchi’s concept of quality engineering from the standpoint of how quality can be designed, manufactured and measured.

QUALITY MANAGEMENT : TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT (TQM)

Total Quality Management (TQM) is a management approach that focuses on continuous improvement of the quality of products, services, and processes. The goal of TQM is to enhance customer satisfaction and increase business efficiency by reducing errors, defects, and waste.

TQM involves all employees in the organization, from top management to frontline workers, and requires a commitment to quality from all levels. It is based on a set of principles that include customer focus, continuous improvement, employee involvement, process-centered approach, and data-driven decision making.

The implementation of TQM requires a systematic approach that involves the following steps:

1. Establishing a quality policy and goals
2. Forming a quality improvement team
3. Identifying customer needs and expectations
4. Mapping and analyzing business processes
5. Developing and implementing improvement plans
6. Measuring and evaluating results
7. Recognizing and rewarding success

TQM has been widely adopted by organizations in various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and service sectors, as it provides a framework for continuous improvement and ensures customer satisfaction.

1. Establishing a quality policy and goals

Total Quality Control (TQM) is a management approach that emphasizes continuous improvement in all aspects of an organization. Establishing a quality policy and goals is an essential component of TQM, as it provides direction for the organization to achieve its quality objectives.

Here are some steps to establish a quality policy and goals in TQM:

Identify the organization's mission and values: The quality policy and goals should align with the organization's mission and values. Therefore, it's important to clearly define the organization's purpose and beliefs before developing the policy and goals.

Define the quality policy: The quality policy is a statement that communicates the organization's commitment to quality. It should be concise and easily understandable, and should outline the organization's approach to meeting customer needs and expectations.

Develop quality goals: Quality goals are specific, measurable targets that the organization aims to achieve. They should be aligned with the quality policy and the organization's mission and values. Some common quality goals include reducing defects, improving customer satisfaction, and increasing productivity.

Involve employees: To ensure that the quality policy and goals are achievable and relevant, it's important to involve employees in the process. This can be done through brainstorming sessions, focus groups, or surveys. Employees should feel empowered to contribute their ideas and suggestions.

Monitor progress: Once the quality policy and goals are established, it's important to monitor progress towards achieving them. This can be done through regular performance reviews, customer feedback, and quality audits. If progress is not being made, it may be necessary to revise the policy and goals.

Continuously improve: TQM is based on the principle of continuous improvement. Therefore, the quality policy and goals should be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that they remain relevant and effective.

In summary, establishing a quality policy and goals in TQM requires a thorough understanding of the organization's mission and values, involvement of employees, monitoring progress, and a commitment to continuous improvement.