QFD not just a tool but a way of quality management

Article Abstract:

Implementing QFD needs understanding of the "philosophy" behind the tool. Discrepancies in points of view and culture lead to different approaches of the methodology. Most attention in literature relates to the benefits of QFD or to the more or less "technical" aspects of the method. Mostly comments on implementation and use mentioned quite summarily. QFD in fact is a method of continuous product improvement, emphasising the impact of organisational learning on innovation. It must not be seen as just an "ad hoc" tool for the development of a particular product neither will lead to "perfect" products. QFD has to become part of a company's culture. From that perspective it should belong to the management process. Because of that "cultural change" we will encounter quite specific implementation problems. Implementation problems can be categorised into three groups: methodological problems, organizational problems and problems concerning products policy. Besides the problem of information gathering, the biggest problems are of an organisational nature. Characteristic of western management can limit the effectiveness of the technique. Special attention must be paid to product policy and cross-functional project approach to make this tool a valuable technological and organisational aid for innovation projects. Based on document and case studies from the USA and the Netherlands we will reflect upon differences between the Japanese and "Western" practices and resulting implementation problems. [C] 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Process design; Quality function deployment; TQM

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Heuristic methods for cost-oriented assembly line balancing: A comparison on solution quality and computing time

Article Abstract:

This paper is focused on the solution quality and computing time requirements of heuristic methods for cost-oriented assembly line balancing. It is based on a recent paper (Amen, International Journal of Production Economics 68 (2000), which describes in detail the solution process of existent and two new heuristics. After a short review of the historic origin and the wideness of assembly line systems in present day industry, the paper emphasizes the economic view of production in order to cut down production cost. Results of a worst-case analysis concerning the solution quality and the computing time are presented. An interval for the worst-case-solution quality for most heuristic methods is given. The results of an experimental investigation show that the new priority rule "best change of idle cost" (Amen) achieves significantly better solutions than the existent priority rules. Furthermore, the new method "exact solution of sliding problem windows" (Amen) has been found to be the best heuristic method known so far. Keywords: Assembly line balancing; Cost-oriented production planning; Heuristic methods

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A combined AHP--GP model for quality control systems

Article Abstract:

An analytic heirarchy process/goal programming model is tested for quality control systems.

Administration of General Economic Programs, Economic Statistics & Research, Econometrics & Model Building, Statistical Data Included, Models, Econometrics, Economic conditions, Quality control, Business models

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