Quality Management and Lean Systems Paper

Instructions

Examine the business concepts of quality management and lean systems:
Quality Management
1. Dimensions of Quality
2. Cost of Quality
3. Six Sigma
4. ISO
5. Quality tools
Lean Systems
1. JIT
2. Lean Production
3. Kanban
4. Kaizen
5. Poka-yoke

Quality Management and Lean Systems Paper

Dimensions of quality

There are a total of eight dimensions of quality which are employed in quality management. The first dimension of quality is performance. Performance concerns the primary operating characteristics of a particular product. The second dimension is features. This refers to the extra characteristics of a product that add to its appeal. The third dimension is known as reliability which refers to dependability of the product in terms of performance. Conformance is the fourth dimension of quality. This refers to the degree to which the product meets outlined standards. The fifth dimension durability which relates to the product life. Serviceability is the next dimension which refers to several aspects of product maintenance. The seventh dimension is aesthetics which refers to the kind of feelings the product evokes upon users. The last dimension of quality is perceived quality which refers to attributable quality of a product by consumers (Griffin, 2015).

Lean Systems

JIT

Just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing system is a management philosophy that originated from the Japan. The management philosophy advocates for six key aspects to consider in the manufacturing process which are crucial in improving production efficiency and effectiveness. The six include: having the right items, and having them at the right quality, quantity, place and time (Cheng, Podolsky, & Jarvis, 1996). The application of the JIT management philosophy is attributed to improved production process. Key areas of improvement include: high quality products; improved communication; efficiency in the production process; productivity; and reduction in costs and wastes. JIT management philosophy was first implemented by the Japanese in manufacturing in the 1970s before spreading to other parts of the world. The philosophy was first implemented by Toyota Manufacturing Company with an aim of eliminating delays to consumers. The development of the JIT management philosophy in Japan is related to the strong work ethics of the Japanese people. For instance, the Japanese are highly motivated, hardworking, loyal to their companies, and are good at team work.

There are a number of cultural characteristics embedded within the JIT management philosophy. First, the philosophy enables organizations to fulfill customer demands or orders irrespective of their numbers. This is possible since JIT philosophy encourages the use of pull system in production. This means that production is based purely on consumer demands. The philosophy ensures the least possible time lapse between the arrival of materials, production, and moving the final product to consumers. JIT emphasizes on efficiency and speed in the production process. JIT ensures that the inventory levels of raw materials, work-in-progress and finished products is kept minimum. Another unique characteristic is that it encourages the use of containers in the production process for holding items. This enables easy monitoring of stock levels. JIT emphasizes that production plants should be kept clean and tidy always. Lastly, the management philosophy encourages the use of clear signals or labels that inform about the equipment status (Cheng, Podolsky, & Jarvis, 1996).

Deming’s research is of immeasurable value to the foundation of quality. His transformative ideas saw the emergence of total quality management Japan. Following World War II, Deming moved to Japan where he helped many companies become globally competitive. Deming’s idea was simple; by improving on quality, he believed that companies would be able to reduce costs and improve their productivity as well as the market share they controlled. The firms that implemented Deming’s ideas such as Fuji, Sony, and Toyota became highly successful globally. These firms produced highly quality products and at low costs compared to their competitors. Studies conducted indicate that the introduction of the quality concept greatly helped firms improve their position. It is important to note that Deming’s ideas applied not only to large businesses but also to small businesses. His ideas also touch on service companies which must provide quality services in order to improve their performance in the competitive business world (Deming, 2013).

The concepts I selected can be very important to my own life and work. The dimensions of quality can enable me provide products or services which are of high quality and that satisfy various attributes that are required by consumers. Businesses that align their production processes to the quality dimensions are more likely to produce products or services that are of high quality and thus gain a large market share. The JIT management philosophy advocates for hard work, high motivation and teamwork in the production process. These can be important values in helping me achieve my dreams which include obtaining good grades and starting my own business. The JIT philosophy can greatly help improve the performance of a business when used. For instance, it can help reduce costs while improving on quality. These are important aspects when it comes to business success.