What Lean Six Sigma tools do you use to measure product quality?

1 Define quality metrics

The first step to measure quality is to define what quality means for your product and your customer. You need to identify the critical to quality (CTQ) characteristics that affect customer satisfaction and loyalty, and the specifications or targets that define the acceptable level of performance. You can use tools such as voice of the customer (VOC) analysis, quality function deployment (QFD), or Kano model to translate customer needs and expectations into measurable quality metrics.

2 Collect and analyze data

The next step is to collect and analyze data on the current state of your product quality. You need to use reliable and valid methods to gather data from different sources, such as inspections, tests, audits, surveys, or complaints. You also need to use appropriate statistical tools to analyze the data and identify the root causes of quality problems, such as defects, errors, or deviations. You can use tools such as control charts, Pareto charts, fishbone diagrams, or 5 whys to monitor, prioritize, and investigate quality issues.

3 Implement and verify improvements

The final step is to implement and verify the improvements that you have identified to enhance your product quality. You need to use systematic and structured approaches to plan, execute, and evaluate the changes that you have made to your processes, products, or services. You also need to use tools to verify that the improvements have achieved the desired results and have not created any negative side effects. You can use tools such as PDCA cycle, DMAIC model, FMEA, or poka-yoke to implement and verify improvements.

4 Maintain and sustain quality

Once you have improved your product quality, you need to maintain and sustain it over time. You need to use tools to ensure that your processes are stable, consistent, and capable of meeting the quality metrics that you have defined. You also need to use tools to foster a culture of continuous improvement and customer focus in your organization. You can use tools such as standard work, visual management, gemba walks, or kaizen events to maintain and sustain quality.

5 Learn and share best practices

The last but not least tool that you can use to measure product quality is learning and sharing best practices. You need to use tools to capture and document the lessons learned from your quality improvement projects, and to share them with other teams, departments, or units in your organization. You also need to use tools to benchmark and learn from the best practices of other organizations in your industry or sector. You can use tools such as after action reviews, knowledge management systems, or benchmarking studies to learn and share best practices.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?