QFD was originally created to assist business users in focusing on the most relevant product, service and process features when working on developing new solutions or improving current products or services by considering the relevant feedback from the customer.
Quality function deployment methodology helps in the process of converting the customer requirements into technical features for any products or services and establishing the development goals and objectives with regard to processes, products and services.
QFD has actually been used within a variety of applications and solutions in B2B, consumer products and solutions, government requirements as well as new product development.
This same approach can be effectively used in developing business strategy, evaluation and assessment of current organizational policies and practices for continuous improvement and organizational development.
In addition QFD has been recognized as an important quality process in six sigma systems and many other quality management initiatives. QFD is also an integrated part of the ISO quality management systems.
QFD offers an effective approach and detailed quality improvement procedure with regard to:
- Knowing the actual client requirements from the client’s viewpoint
- Learning exactly what quality truly means to the customer from the customer point of view
- Focusing on how the end users actually use the organizational services and products
- Defining what customer satisfaction is to the customer
- Identifying alternative ways to improve the existing quality level
- Deciding on the features to be used and incorporated into the new and existing services and products
- Defining the variety, complexity and the degree of functionality and features to be provided to the customer
- Connecting the customer requirements with R&D, production and engineering and incorporating them into the organizational best practices
Quality function deployment minimizes the guesswork in the business processes. QFD is really an extensive quality management technique which methodically links the real customer requirements with different business functions and procedures such as production, R&D, purchasing, supply chain management, sales, safety and quality control and by doing this it shifts the entire organization towards reaching the overall strategic goals and objectives.