2.4.4 Quality Management

Question 1

What do we mean by quality?

Answer 1

Quality considers the characteristics and features of a product that satisfy the needs of customers

Question 2

What is quality control and what are the benefits and drawbacks of it?

Answer 2

Quality control is inspecting the quality of output at the end of the production process
Advantages:
- Quality specialists are employed to check standards
- It’s an in inexpensive and simple way to check the output is fit for purpose
Disadvantages:
- The rejection of goods is a significant waste of resources
- There is little focus on the cause of defects

Question 3

What is quality assurance and what are the advantages and disadvantages of it?

Answer 3

Quality assurance is inspecting the quality of the production throughout the production process
Advantages:
- 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
Disadvantages:
- Staff training and a skilled workforce is required to labour costs may be increased
- Reworking may lengthen the production process

Question 4

What are quality circles and what are the advantages and disadvantages of it?

Answer 4

Circles are groups of workers who meet regularly to solve quality problems identified in the production process
Advantages:
- Workers may be motivated as they are involved in decision-making
- Relevant and focused solutions are likely as workers are familiar with processes
Disadvantages:
- Management need to have trust in workers views and solutions
- Meetings and structures must be organised regularly

Question 5

What is total quality management and what are the advantages and disadvantages of it?

Answer 5

• Total quality management is the organisation of the business with quality at its core and with every worker responsible for quality
  Advantages:
• Quality in all aspects of the business improves efficiency
• A culture of constant improvement exists within the business
  Disadvantages:
• Work workers must be committed and receive significant continued training
• Careful monitoring and control is required

Question 6

What is Kaizen’s continuous improvement?

Answer 6

• Kaisen involves a business taking continuous steps to improve productivity through the elimination of all types of waste in the production process
  
  • Changes are small and ongoing rather than significant one off and a constantly reviewed to ensure that the desired positive impact on productivity is achieved
    Elements of Kai and commonly include:
• Total quality management
• Just in time stock management
• Teamwork and quality circles
• Zero defects in manufacturing
• High levels of automation
• High levels of cooperation between workers and management
• Kaiser requires a long-term management commitment to change

Question 7

Explain the competitive advantage from quality management

Answer 7

• 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 the selling price to better compete with or undercut its rivals.
• High levels of quality can be used in promotional activity and provide a unique selling point for businesses in competitive markets