Vision-based:
- Vision will give a sense of direction.
- Vision will motivate human resource.
- Vision will help the organization to stay focused.
- Without vision an organization will fail.
- Absence of vision will lead to confusion.
Customer-focused:
- Open economy has given away monopoly. It is buyer’s market which is in existence now.
- Without customers no business can exist.
- Internal customer orientation will improve productivity.
- One dissatisfied customer can create havoc by unprecedented actions.
- Retention of customer is the key issue in business.
Prevention oriented:
- Prevention is better than cure is a well acknowledged phrase.
- Prevention orientation will take one nearer to ‘Zero Defects’ status.
- Foolproof prevention techniques such as ‘Poka Yoka’ are available.
- Corrective approach calls for costly monitoring mechanism.
- Correction does not stop recurrence.
Scientifically approached:
- Scientific methods are based on fundamental or derived laws of mathematics and science and hence the foundation is strong.
- Scientific methods are well proved over the years and hence chances of going wrong is remote.
- Use of scientific methods gives a sense of pride and improves the self esteem of workers.
- Unscientific methods make one ti depend on the previous experience, which may bot be appropriate.
- Logical reasoning which may not always be appropriate is avoided in scientific methods.
Process given more importance than end results:
- End does not justify means.
- Proper means will ensure quality result.
- Zero defect is possible only if the processes are perfect.
- Process orientation will make workers more responsible.
- Result orientation will end up with huge los as all the defects are to be rejected.
Data-based analysis:
- Data-based approach will always give the best insight to the problem and solution.
- Information-based or knowledge-based approach may mislead at all times.
- Data collection is a strenous process; however the returns will be higher.
- In many situations the raw data themselves will provide solutions to problems or at least provide useful clues.
- Data collected and documented for one specific purpose, can well be used for some other purpose, thus providing a databank or multiple applications.
Continuous improvement strategies
- No one at any point of time can say that ‘Perfection’ has been achieved. Even six sigma companies talk about 3 ppm defects. Hence there is always scope for improvement in everything. Quality improvement is a never ending process.
- The world has become so competitive that dynamism should reflect in every facet of business, even in product development.
- Crativity and innovation are the order of the day in business circles.
- Established tools such as ‘benchmarking’ are available for continuous improvement.
- Improved products will have a cutting edge in the market.
Cost conscious attempt:
- ROI (Return on Investment) is the performance index for any business enterprise.
- The visible quality costs are like the tip of the iceberg. There are plenty of hidden costs that go unnoticed.
- Quality is free, meaning poor quality costs can be offset by good quality profit margin.
- Affordability is the key factor for customers and profit margin is the key factor for manufacturers.
- Prevention which could be done with $1 is missed, the failure/defects due to that will cost the company $10. the cost ratios are so high.
Documentation for traceability
- Stakeholders ae assured of the quality through documentation.
- Traceability is effective and easy with documented information.
- Documentation will amount to standardization.
- To err is human; documentation helps in curbing human errors.
- Role clarity is ascertained which reduces workplace confusion.
Reward/Recognition assured
- Recognition is one thing that every human being long for.
- Motivation is the key factor for sustaining quality initiatives.
- Rewards may be helpful in motivating non-performers to join quality initiators.
- Disinterest in the job being done is the main culprit for low productivity and poor quality.
- Human component plays a major role as compared to system component in quality initiatives.
My Consultancy–Asif J. Mir – Management Consultant–transforms organizations where people have the freedom to be creative, a place that brings out the best in everybody–an open, fair place where people have a sense that what they do matters. For details please visit www.asifjmir.com, Line of Sight