2.4.4 Quality Management Flashcards
Define ‘quality’
- Quality considers the characteristics & features of a product that satisfy the needs of customers
What methods of quality control are there?
- Quality control
- Quality assurance
- Quality circles
- Total Quality management
What is quality control?
Inspecting the quality of output at the end of the production process
What are the benefits & draw backs of quality control?
Benefits:
* Quality specialists are employed to check standards
* An inexpensive & simple way to check that output is fit for purpose
Drawbacks:
* The rejection of finished goods is a big waste of resources
* There is little focus on the cause of defects in the product
What is quality assurance?
Inspecting the quality of production throughout the process
What are the benefits & drawbacks of quality assurance?
Benefits:
* Quality issues are identified early so products may be reworked rather than rejected
* The cause of defects is the focus so future quality issues may be prevented
Drawbacks:
* Staff training & a skilled workforce is required so labour costs may be increased
* Reworking may lengthen production process
What is quality circles?
Groups of workers who meet regularly to solve quality problems identified in the production process
What are the benefits & drawbacks of quality circles?
Benefits:
* Workers may be motivated as involved in decision making
* Relevant & focused solutions are likely as workers are familiar with processes
Drawbacks:
* Management need to have trust in workers views & solutions (which may not always happen)
* Meetings & structures must be organised regularly
What is total quality management (TQM)?
Organisation of the business with quality as its core with every worker responsible for quality
What are the benefits & drawbacks of total quality management?
Benefits:
* Quality in all aspects of business- improves efficiency
* Creates a culture of constant improvement which exists within the business
Drawbacks
* All workers must be committed & recieve significant continued training
* Careful monitoring & control is required
What is Kaizen?
Involves a business taking continuous steps to improve productivity through the elimination of all types of waste in the production process
How does Kaizen use this approach to improve productivity??
- Changes are small & ongoing rather than significant one-off’s & are constantly reviewed
this ensures that the desired positive impact on productivity is achieved.
What elements do Kaizen commonly include?
- Total quality management
- JIT stock management
- Team working & Quality circles
- Zero defects in manufacturing
- High levels of automation
How do businesses gain a competitve advantage through quality management?
- Initial quality can provide CA
- Unit costs are likely to be low if a business takes a preventative approach through the use of quality assurance or TQM
- Low costs may allow a business to reduce its selling price to better compare with or undercut its rivals
- High levels of quality can be used in promotional activity to improve brand recognition & attract new customers
