Quality Function Deployment

Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is a formal technique for deriving a product specification. As with many of the other tools and techniques used during the product introduction process, it is a team-based approach that focuses on reducing time to market and making sure that the product is produced "right first time". In the case of QFD this is achieved by ensuring that the product which is designed is the product that the customer wants. We do this by finding out from the customer what is wanted, and then translating the voice of the customer into prioritised requirements at every stage of the product introduction process.

QFD is generally applied in four phases. Within each phase, output features are derived from the input, and the relationships between output and input plotted in a matrix. Numerical values are then allocated to the relationships, so that the output can be prioritised. The most significant outputs from each phase, in terms of features or processes which are important to the customer, difficult to achieve, or are in some way novel, are passed as input to the following phase. This ensures that points that need to be addressed are kept in focus, and all decisions can be traced back to an identified customer need.

QFD is a detailed planning technique aimed at translating the voice of the customer into specifications at each major stage of the product development process.

• QFD1 - Product Planning
• QFD2 - Part Planning
• QFD3 - Process Planning
• QFD4 - Production Planning

QFD is integrated with a full set of other tools to produce TeamSET, the most powerful suite of concurrent engineering software. It encourages the design of products that can be produced at minimum cost and maximum quality and reliability to give maximum customer satsfaction.

Benefits of using QFD

• Products meet customer expectations better
• Improved design traceability
• Reduced lead times
• Reduced product cost
• Improved communication within organisation and with customer

Problems & pitfalls

• When applying QFD do not underestimate the amount of work involved.
• Extra time and resources early in the project. Management must be prepared for this, and not press for visible results too early.
• The scope and objectives of the project must be agreed at the beginning
• Avoid trying to include too much detail. Too large a matrix results in too much data to analyse
• Best results are usually obtained by using an independent facilitator to control the process, leaving the rest of the team free to concentrate on the product.

Follow this link for more information on TeamSET's QFD software.