What makes something good quality? There are certain ways that this can be in the eye of the beholder. You do not want to be making products that the bulk of your client base feels are substandard when you think they are fine. Therefore, a definition of quality should be established.
Overview: What is a definition of quality?
A definition of quality is when you anticipate what the criteria will be for the users of your good or service to find satisfactory. These criteria are honored by being met or exceeded.
3 Benefits of a Definition of Quality
Having a set definition of quality is beneficial in a number of ways:
1. It makes clear the need for improvements.
If there are certain expectations by your customers in regards to the standards your product or service should be meeting and they aren’t met, it should be fairly clear where you need to make improvements.
2. Goals are clearly defined.
It is beneficial in the work environment when everyone involved in the process of creating an item has the same understanding of when a job done is good enough. Having a clearly set definition of quality helps make this happen.
3. A more predictable outcome.
If there is a clearly defined definition of quality between you and your customers, it can save time and money by using the definition to gauge whether the acceptance of a lot of goods is likely upon receiving.
Why is a definition of quality important to understand?
For a few reasons, having an understanding of the definition of quality is important to understand:
1. Keeps your products competitive
Understanding a definition of quality helps you be able to adequately compete in the marketplace. For example, there is a minimum definition of quality that most consumers expect from a frozen pizza at a certain price point. If you use low-grade ingredients, you will likely not meet consumers’ definition of quality at that price point and will be unable to compete.
2. Maintains customer trust
If you have a clear understanding of the definition of quality, you are more likely to meet that definition with your output, keep your customers happy, and have a strong business.
3. It keeps your workforce unified
Having a solid understanding of a definition of quality means that you can properly relay these standards to your workforce and everyone can work together as a team to meet those standards.
An industry example of a definition of quality
A guitar manufacturer is launching a new line of acoustic guitars. They are in talks with several factories and are trying to decide who to go with. As part of the decision-making process, the manufacturer sends out a set of minimum criteria that should be met for each guitar from the prospective factories. One of the factories agrees that they can reliably meet this definition of quality.
3 Best Practices When Thinking about a Definition of Quality
There are a few practices to consider when thinking about a definition of quality
1. You do not solely set the definition.
In almost all cases, it will not be you alone that sets the definition of quality. It will take feedback from the consumer to come up with criteria set for the definition. This can be done through direct feedback or by understanding the standards deemed fit by the marketplace and through customer satisfaction with competitors.
2. Once the definition has been understood, do not go below it.
Once the definition of quality is agreed upon, do all that is reasonable to prevent the release of a product that falls below standards. Maintaining trust from your customers is paramount.
3. Be willing to improve.
Just because you are meeting the set definition, does not mean you cannot do better. Always look for ways to improve your product and your processes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Definition of Quality
1. Is the definition of quality subjective?
It can be to some degree, but there are often minimum industry standards that need to be met as a guideline for the definition, as well as trends in the marketplace, before an agreed-upon set of criteria with the intended user solidifies it.
2. Can the definition of quality be altered?
Further improvements or modifications to the definition of quality may be made over time.
3. What if a lot of goods do not meet the definition of quality?
If a lot of goods do not meet the definition of quality, they will likely not be accepted a majority of the time.
Working with a Definition of Quality
Having a set definition of quality provides a clear direction for what sort of standards need to be met for goods or services to be deemed satisfactory by a user. A solid comprehension of this definition of quality is vital for keeping customers and staying competitive in the marketplace.
