Quality management refers to the act of overseeing the various activities and tasks in the organization to ensure a desired level of excellence (Sower, 2011). On the other hand, lean systems refer to the systematic approach employed by the organization to identify and eliminate waste and non-value added activities (Black, 2012). Such an approach will be successful through products improvements and employee development. For this essay, I will use dimensions of quality and just in time concepts to compose the paper.

Dimensions of Quality

When an organization wants to analyze the quality characteristics, it will use the eight dimension of quality. The eight dimensions of quality include the following. First, the organization will analyze the performance of the product. It encompasses the primary operating features of the product. A high-quality product should exhibit the same performance that was specified by the manufacturer and expected by the consumer. Given an example of a television set, the consumers will expect it to have quality pictures and sound. Consumers will automatically be frustrated or disappointed when they find that the product does not meet their expectations. Second, the organization will analyze the features of a product. These are the additional characteristics that will improve the appeal of the products or service to the consumers (Sower, 2011). For instance, the organization will offer after sales service to attract more customers. Similarly, some of the features will only be placed in quality products. for example, a manufacturing company can decide to put heated seats and Bluetooth in some cars to differentiate it from others.

Third, the reliability of the product explains if the product is consistent as expected by the customer. Many companies have developed trust and loyalty from their customers because their brand exhibits reputation for reliability. Customers anticipate the products they buy to perform well over its lifetime. Fourth, the durability of the product measures the duration the product will perform or last before replacing it. Before making a purchase, the consumer will weigh the cost he/she will incur for future repair against the operating expense of new and more reliable items. Fifth, product conformance refers to both internal and national specifications that a product should meet. For instance, if the manufacturer developed the product based on performance specification, the product should perform as specified.

Sixth, serviceability explains if the product is easy to maintain and repair in case it breaks down. Other than a product breaking down, most consumers are more concerned with the time it will take to restore the service.  Seventh, aesthetics feature of a product involves the consumer’s personal preference of the product. The consumer would like to get products that are appealing to the eye (Sower, 2011). For example, the automobile industries make sure that their cars are artistically attractive in addition to the functional quality of the products. Lastly, the perceived quality of the product refers to the quality perception a marketing team of a certain organization would like to convey to the target group.

Just in Time (JIT)

Companies employ just in time inventory strategy to increase efficiency and eliminate waste. The implementation of the strategy ensures that the company removes delays in its operation and reduce unnecessary inventory by receiving goods that are only needed in the production process. Similarly, a company’s production process is just in time when it receives the raw materials from the suppliers shortly before starting the production process and ship the product to the customer once the production is over. Toyota Motor Company introduced the method and applied it in the mid-1970s (Black, 2012).

It is based on three tenants. First, the method aims to reduce waste. Organizations employ this strategy to reduce wastage of materials, space and labor in their production process. On the same note, companies will reduce wastage by evaluating the production process to remove inefficiencies that are associated with defects, overproduction, unnecessary transportation and waiting time. Second, the organization seeks to ensure continuous improvement of processes and systems. The JIT tries to create a process of feedback mechanism through which more improvements can be made in the production process that gives the entire firm a competitive edge and increases its profitability (Mazanai, 2012). Third, the JIT seeks to ensure respect for workers. The strategy reduces status in an organization for the employees to improve respect within themselves regardless of the work they do.

The Importance of Deming’s Research to the Foundation of Quality

According to Deming, the key to quality improvement in an organization lied in the hands of the management. In his chain reaction, Deming explained that, when quality improves, the cost of producing a product goes down while the productivity rises. As a result, there will be a creation of more jobs and greater market share. Similarly, the management should note that the problems in an organization result from the system and not employees. The management has the task to improve the process. Therefore, Deming’s research has helped companies build long-term systems to be competitive in the market.

The concepts I selected included dimensions of quality and just in time inventory system. As a manager in an organization, I will implement the dimensions of quality at each strategic level in my organization and analyze the quality characteristics of the products. I will try to understand the trade-off desired by my clients among the eight dimensions and build a competitive advantage that will prosper the firm. With the just in time inventory strategy, I will produce products according to the needs of the customer to reduce waste. To ensure that more products are demanded, I will produce quality products that will appeal to more customers keeping in mind the need to minimize wastage of resources such as labor, material, and equipment.

References

Black, K. (2012). Business statistics: For contemporary decision making. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Mazanai, M. (2012). Impact of just-in-time (JIT) inventory system on efficiency, quality and flexibility among manufacturing sector, small and medium enterprise (SMEs) in South Africa. African Journal of Business Management, 6(17), 5786.

Sower, V. E. (2011). Essentials of quality: With cases and experiential exercises. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

 
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