Making it right.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
The specification the product must meet.
WHY FIRST
Quality cannot be managed against an undefined standard.
WHAT TO DEFINE
Measurable characteristics Acceptable ranges How each is checked How often
WHY RANGES RATHER THAN TARGETS
Everything varies, and a range states what is acceptable.
WHAT TO CHECK AT INCOMING
Materials against specification.
WHAT TO CHECK DURING PRODUCTION
Process parameters Product characteristics, at intervals
WHY DURING
It allows correction before a whole run is defective.
WHAT TO CHECK AT COMPLETION
The finished product, against specification.
WHAT TO RECORD
Every check and its result.
WHY
It evidences quality and it reveals trends.
WHAT TO PLOT
Results over time.
WHAT THAT REVEALS
Drift before it produces rejects.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION PRODUCT
Segregate it immediately Establish how much is affected
Decide: rework, downgrade or scrap
Record the decision
WHY SEGREGATE IMMEDIATELY
Defective product mixed with good product is the worst outcome.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
That anyone may stop production when something is wrong.
WHY
Continuing produces more defective output.
WHAT TO INVESTIGATE
The cause, not the instance.
WHAT TO MEASURE
Defect rate by type Rework and scrap, as a proportion of output Cost of quality failures
WHY COST
It makes the case for prevention.
