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What is Quality Function Deployment?
Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is a method used to understand and respond to customer needs during product design and production. It helps businesses focus on what customers want and plan effectively to meet their expectations.
Who Developed the QFD?
Quality Function Deployment (QFD) was created in Japan in the late 1960s by Professors Yoji Akao and Shigeru Mizuno while working at Mitsubishi’s shipyard. It later became popular with companies like Toyota and spread to the U.S. in the late 1980s, especially in the automotive and electronics industries. Today, it’s widely used in manufacturing, healthcare, and quality management.
What Are the Benefits of QFD?
- Better Understanding of Customers – Helps predict and respond to customer needs, even those that are not directly stated, improving their overall experience.
- Continuous Improvement – Uses customer feedback to set clear business goals and improve performance.
- Structured Product Development – Creates a standardized system to streamline processes, reducing inefficiencies and risks.
Efficient Resource Allocation – Prioritizes customer needs, allowing businesses to focus on the most important improvements.
Why Implement Quality Function Deployment (QFD)?
QFD helps businesses focus on customer satisfaction from the start, rather than fixing problems later. It translates customer needs—like safety and ease of use—into clear design requirements.
Using a structured approach called the House of Quality, QFD prioritizes customer expectations and integrates them into product development. This allows companies to make better decisions, stay competitive, and document their entire decision-making process effectively.
