Techniques and tools of quality management

Question 1

What method can be used for handling quality control ?

Answer 1

1. Prevention - avoid problems from happening in the first place
2. Detection - making sure faulty products are never available to customers
3. Correction- if this is the case, offer a repair solution with no customer conflict
4. Improvement - staying ahead of customer expectation

Question 2

What is lean manufacturing ?

Answer 2

A manufacturing process that ensures max value and min waste to improve profits and return on investments, leading to:
1. Reduced inventory and turnover rates
2. Improved product quality
3. Reduced production and delivery lead times

Question 3

Define JIT (just-in-time manufacturing), advantages and disadvantages

Answer 3

When a business holds no stock and relies on raw materials and components to arrive exactly when they are needed

Adv - reduced wastage, low inventory, increased efficiency and improved quality

Dis - difficult to forecast future demand and start production, may cause challenges when there is a sudden demand in the market

Question 4

Define kaizen, advantages and disadvantages

Answer 4

A process where continuous improvement is fostered through employees making small changes to improve business activity

Adv - less waste, more energy efficient, better customer experience

Dis - employees may be resistant to change, training required and can spark employee conflicts

Question 5

What is six sigma and its phases ?

Answer 5

Used to identify and remove causes of defects to ensure final products are close to perfect, meaning less waste and time lost which results in higher customer satisfaction

1.Define - who is the customer and what is there needs ?
2.Measure - how is the process defined and how are defects measured ?
3.Analyse - what is the most important cause of defects ?
4.Improve - how can the cause of defects be eliminated
5.Control - what actions are needed to sustain improvements ?

Question 6

What are the benefits of quality management ?

Answer 6

1.Zero defect production and output quality - improve overall quality and fewer manufacturer issues
2.Continuous improvement due to improved output quality
3.Reduced inspection requirements due to commitment of continuous improvement
4.Supplier engagement and satisfaction due to improved products and services
5.Improved efficiency and profitability which is the overall aim of quality management