Description
This unit introduces students to the importance of quality assurance processes in a manufacturing or service environment and the principles and theories that underpin them. Topics included in this unit are: tools and techniques used to support quality control, attributes and variables, testing processes, costing modules, the importance of qualifying the costs related to quality, international standards for management (ISO 9000, 14000, 18000), European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM), principles, tools and techniques of Total Quality Management (TQM) and implementation of Six Sigma.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to illustrate the processes and applications of statistical process, explain the quality control tools used to apply costing techniques, identify the standards expected in the engineering environment to improve efficiency and examine how the concept of Total Quality Management and continuous improvement underpins modern manufacturing and service environments.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit students will be able to:
1. Illustrate the applications of statistical process control when applied in an industrial environment to improve efficiency
Quality control:
The tools and techniques used to support quality control
Attributes and variables
Testing processes
Quality tools and techniques, including statistical process control (SPC)
Designing quality into new products and processes using Quality Function Deployment (QFD)
2. Analyse cost effective quality control tools
Quality costing:
Costing modules
The importance of qualifying the costs related to quality
How costs can be used to improve business performance
3. Determine the role of standards in improving efficiency, meeting customer requirements and opening up new opportunities for trade
Standards for efficiency:
The history of standards
The role of standards and their importance in enabling and supporting trade, business and industry
Standards for measurement
International Standards for management (ISO 9000, 14000, 18000)
European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) as an aid to developing strategic competitive advantage
4. Analyse the importance of Total Quality Management and continuous improvement in manufacturing environments
Overview and function of quality:
The importance of quality to industry: how it underpins the ability to improve
efficiency, meet customer requirements and improve competitiveness
Principles, tools and techniques of Total Quality Management (TQM)
Understanding and implementation of Six Sigma