1. Quality
Conformance and Improvement
Cost of Quality Consists of Cost of Quality
Monitoring, Cost of Conformance and Cost of Non-Conformance, Modern Strategic
Management Places emphasis on Effect of Non Conformance of Performance on Brand
Value and Value development by way of Users satisfaction rather than manufacturers
perception of Quality. This Changes equation of Quality with Production process
and brings CRM into same to ensure that post production cost of warranty,
repairs, rework, replacement and compensation due to failure to perform are
charged in correct way to improve internal process of Production as well as
Products Itself. But the deviation from this principle is the limitation of
user’s perception or priorities due to Price Points, Physical Limitation of
Materials or Technology and other aspects that require inferior or non-perfect
products/ services. Considering these aspects the SME Needs to rethink Quality
Function right from Product Development Phase which includes following:
1.
Whether QFD is used on Following Levels:
a.
Product Planning Level
b.
Production Level
c.
Operations Level
d.
Delivery Level
2.
Does Value Analysis is done for Quality
Standards Selection
3.
Method used for Production Quality Improvement
4.
Method Used for Total Cost of Quality
5.
Method Used for Allocation of Quality Cost to
Departments Like PLC, Production and Distribution
6.
Use of
Tools and Jigs for Quality Improvement during Production and Material Handling
7.
Statistical Sampling Used while Production and
Packaging
8.
Method Used for Adherence to Quality During
Purchase Process
9.
Inward Co-ordination with Stores Department for
Material Usage and Handling for reduction in Waste and other reasons like
Accidents and Errors in Handling
10.
Methods used for Quality Conformance and
communication its limitation with CRM Department for Awareness and Appropriate
client communication (Promises and Resolution offered)
11.
Measurement of Total Quality Cost and Its Effect
on Brand Development and Sale
12.
External Validation Method used for Quality
Standards Adherence like ISI or ISO
13.
Internal Control Mechanism used for Quality
Delivery of Work
14.
Commitment from BOD for Qualitative work &
Incentive Structure for Conformance
15.
Quality Non-Conformance Investigation Technique
used by Management
16.
Does Competitive Priorities are reflected
through Quality Management Process?
a.
Cost – Lowest in Market
b.
High Performance Design
c.
Time Management
i.
Fast Delivery Time
ii.
On Time Delivery
iii.
Process Improvement Time
d.
Lean and Adaptive Operations
i.
Customization abilities
ii.
Volume Flexibility
iii.
Delivery to Odd Locations Etc
17.
Fullest Use of Quality Department Assets
18.
Adaptation of Latest and Advance Quality
Standards
19.
Adaptation of Latest and Advance Quality
Development Technologies
20.
Does Quality Cost Driver Analysis is carried for
Each Failure Reported and Appropriate Investigation is Carried out?
Being a Cost Audit Firm, the onus is towards Overall Effectiveness of Process than single aspect of Functional Task thus this area needs to be further explored for more accurate control on the function. This shall also translate into Future Product Development control points to help SME into Solution Developers than Vendors or B2B suppliers with no say in development of Industry itself.