Quality Methods

A common exam question is based on describing the different Quality Methods available to organisations. Here are some key points for each:

Benchmarking

• Copying the best techniques used by other organisations
• Products/services taken apart and re-engineered.
• Can result in a better product than the original.
• However if it takes time, competition may have moved on from what was the original best practice.

Quality Circles

• Small groups of employees from different departments and at different levels of management who meet to discuss and solve quality issues.
• Improves the workforces motivation as they feel more valued as their opinions are taken into consideration.
• Suggestions are made to management for approval

Quality assurance

• Products are checked at various stages during production
• Unacceptable products are discarded

TQM (Total Quality Management)

• No errors tolerated
• Treat everyone in the production chain as a customer therefore creating a Quality Chain.
• Based on Kaizen philosophy (Continuous improvement)
• All staff involved and committed to ensuring high quality (unlike Quality Circles where only small groups are targeted)
• Work processes scrutinised
• Constant strive to make processes more efficient and reduce waste
• Focus on teamwork
• Training provided

BSI

• A national standard for certain products
• When a business meets the standard its product can carry the BS Kitemark
• Other quality standard symbols also exist (Lion marks on eggs)

Quality Control

• Product quality checked at the end of the production process
• Traditional method
• Use of Quality Inspectors
• Can result in high wastage and reworks