First-time Right and Quality Management

Quality has always been at the heart of a successful company. Of course, it is in our DNA to deliver better products, but that simple interpretation leaves a lot of stones unturned when it comes to process improvement. In recent years the definition of quality has been reshaped due to higher consumer expectations and sustainability trends. With the current economic situation and changing consumer landscape, it is essential for us to rethink our approach to quality and how we communicate it to our customers.

What is your company’s strategy for addressing this market shift? In this article, let us explore how we can return these trends into a business advantage.

A New Demand for Quality??

Fresh, organic, and health conscious is no longer enough. A new generation of consumers, especially the younger generation, seek quality and responsibility throughout the entire value chain from the way products are sourced, produced, and transported.

Transparency in these areas, communicated through the packaging, has become a key factor in their purchasing decisions. But here is the major challenge: How can we ensure accurate and timely capture of all this information when it's time to package our products? And to zoom out to the big picture, how can we quickly adapt our label information as consumer demand evolves?

One effective way to maintain the quality of these processes is by linking data throughout the value chain. This approach becomes even more crucial when dealing with highly customized, small batches, which have become increasingly common today. Think about different varieties of the same product or batches sourced from specific locations and dates. Additionally, digital twins offer a simplified means of planning complex scheduling requirements, making it easier than ever to meet consumer demand profitably.

Focus on First Time Right?

Even when your production rates and quality are high, returned products can seriously undermine your productivity and harm your brand reputation. That’s why focus has returned to a more preventative concept of quality management, known as first time right. The result is in the name, but what is less obvious is how we can truly achieve it. This requires a fundamental rework of our approach to process improvement. The traditional method asks that we conduct more inspections, but there are man-hours that by themselves add zero value to our products, so how can we eliminate the need for such inspections altogether??

I've previously mentioned the pressure businesses face to increase productivity in response to rising costs. While that discussion centered around output, "first time right" focuses on input productivity. It involves ensuring timely and accurate collection of information and materials used in the production of our final product. By targeting this area with the right digital systems, you can finetune your data-gathering process and eliminate errors in production and distribution to gain the competitive edge on productivity.??

The process improvement Black Belt - digitalized?

There are gains to be made in how we can leverage data and digital models to improve quality, but that is the easy part. According to a Harvard Business Review study, it is often longstanding organizational and cultural norms that segregate themselves from IT business functions. But when we think of digital systems as an extension rather than an enabler of business functions, we unlock far greater potential. If you believe your business could benefit from a revamp to harness the true power of digitalization, reach out to me.

Let's join forces and make it happen together.

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In conclusion, quality is no longer a simple matter of delivering better products. It encompasses the entire value chain, demands transparency, and aligns with evolving consumer expectations. Let's embark on this journey together and ensure our products stand out in terms of quality, responsibility, and customer satisfaction. I am happy to hear your thoughts on this topic and feel free to reach out to me at any time.