Key enablers for the effective implementation of QFD: a critical analysis

This paper presents the concepts and principles of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) as they have been implemented by Ford company. The paper illustrates the essential linkages between external & internal customers to suppliers (i.e., 'Voice-Quality-Satisfaction' Chains). It discusses the various arguments and proposals that link together the end user customers voice to the internal customer-supplier chains that act on the customer input and feedback to improve product quality and ultimately deliver higher end user satisfaction. The paper also looks at discussions on QFD linkages with other quality tools and processes. This sequence of QFD linkages to other single, or dual linked quality tools finishing with some engineering processes are particularly discussed. Among these are Pugh Concept Selection, Taguchi Methods, Experimentation, Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA), Value Management, Quality Benchmark Deployment (QBD) & Benchmarking, Process Management, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Team Oriented Problem Solving 8 Disciplines (TOPS 8D), Systems Engineering, Simultaneous, Parallel, Integrated, Forward, Concurrent & Coordinated Engineering, Conclusion to the Use of QFD with Other Quality Tools and Processes, The Role of QFD Within Total Quality Management (TQM) Processes, and Team working.