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Businesses implement quality assurance in order to produce quality products - NSC Business Studies - Question 10 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 10
Businesses implement quality assurance in order to produce quality products. Some managers believe that this can be achieved by focusing on quality management and qu... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Businesses implement quality assurance in order to produce quality products - NSC Business Studies - Question 10 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Elaborate on the meaning of quality assurance.
Answer
Quality assurance refers to the systematic processes put in place before, during, and after the production process to ensure that products meet specific standards and customer expectations. It includes techniques to monitor and improve the quality of outputs by adhering to established standards, ensuring that any potential defects are identified early on. This proactive approach is crucial for maintaining consistency and reliability in product quality.
Step 2
Distinguish between quality management and quality performance.
Answer
Quality management encompasses the activities and systematic processes utilized to enhance and control the quality of products and services. It involves techniques and tools aimed at improving product output and operational efficiency. On the other hand, quality performance is the measurable outcome of these efforts, indicating how well products fulfill specified standards and customer satisfaction. Essentially, quality management involves the processes and actions, while quality performance reflects the results of those actions.
Step 3
Suggest quality indicators of the general management function and the production function.
Answer
Quality indicators for the general management function may include the effectiveness of strategic planning, employee performance monitoring, and the establishment of core values guiding organizational behavior. For the production function, indicators can consist of adherence to production specifications, customer satisfaction metrics, defect rates, and efficiency in production processes. Assessing these indicators allows companies to implement necessary improvements to maintain high-quality outputs.
Step 4
Advise businesses on how TQM could impact on the reduction of the cost of quality.
Answer
Total Quality Management (TQM) emphasizes a continuous improvement culture, engaging all employees in the quality enhancement process. By adopting TQM, businesses can reduce costs associated with quality failures such as rework, returns, and waste. Furthermore, TQM fosters collaboration with suppliers to ensure quality inputs, minimizes duplication of efforts, and encourages proactive maintenance of equipment, all of which contribute to lower overall production costs and enhanced profitability.