Quality function deployment

TLDR

Quick response to customer needs is a key competitive dimension, but it must be combined with quality, flexibility, and cost efficiency; the paper reviews the origins, benefits, and challenges of the quality function deployment (QFD) technique and its links to continuous improvement methods such as TQM, SPC, CE, and benchmarking. The study aims to provide guidelines for implementing QFD and identify the critical factors that influence its success. The authors examine UK case studies of companies adopting QFD for new product development and outline implementation guidelines. The findings show that QFD offers significant benefits and challenges traditional new‑product development cultures.

Abstract

Abstract Quick response to customer needs is an important dimension on which a company may compete. However, quick response in and by itself does not achieve much of a competitive advantage unless timeliness is integrated with quality, flexibility and cost efficiency. Discusses the meaning and origins of the quality function deployment (QFD) technique, its reported benefits and problems, its relationship to continuous improvement programmes such as total quality management, statistical process control (SPC), concurrent engineering (CE), and benchmarking. Also examines several case studies of companies based in the UK, in their attempt to introduce QFD for new product development. Highlights reported benefits up to date and how QFD starts to challenge existing cultures of developing new products. Finally presents some guidelines on QFD implementation and lists all the critical factors reported to impinge most on its successful implementation.