TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVING QUALITY

• Quality control


  The process of ensuring that the product meets its established quality standards
• Quality control


  • The main objective is to ensure that products being produced and sold are free of defects
  • The lower the defect rate, the lower will be the cost incurred in correcting the problem or destroying the product
• High-quality products


  Help the firm to gain the trust and loyalty of consumers who will be satisfied after their usage
• Good quality control system

  Involves regular inspection of the product and correction of any defects found
• Zero defects


  The production of products that are free of faults and which adhere to the standards
• Quality assurance


  A guarantee to maintain an agreed or established set of quality standards
• Quality assurance


  • Emphasizes that the necessary steps be taken to prevent the occurrence of the defects
  • Attempts to build quality into the system from the very outset
• Quality standards


  Standards established by independent organizations to ensure that the business of consumers are protected
• Benchmarking


  The process whereby a firm identifies the best practices of another firm and then implements them to improve its own product
• The aim of benchmarking is not to copy other firms' products but rather to assess their production methods or processes</b>
• Main steps in benchmarking

  1. Identify the area for improvement

  2. Choose the right company

  3. Gather the information

  4. Analyze the information gathered

  5. Implement and evaluate the findings
• Benefits of using benchmarking

  • Brings about faster awareness of important innovations and how to implement them successfully
  • Usually much cheaper than some of the other methods that are used to improve quality
  • Proper implementation will help to reduce waste and improve productivity
  • Can improve the competitiveness of the firm both locally and internationally
  • Facilitates team building and employee involvement in the decision-making process
  • Gives the firm a better understanding of its consumers and how to keep them satisfied
• Limitations of benchmarking


  • The search for a suitable firm to benchmark can be a very tedious process, as not all firms will want to share information
  • What works for one firm may not necessarily work for the other
  • Needs qualified experts to make comparisons that will be meaningful, which can be a very costly exercise