So, What is Quality?

What is Quality?
So, what is Quality?
Everything includes some aspect of design and all designs should establish Quality
Requirements / Expectations:
Component Selection / Reliability
Look and Feel
Exclusivity / Value for Money
We often use the word Quality in our every day life and quite often it relates to
something being exceptionally good i.e.
A Quality meal
A Quality Car
Barcelona FC are a Quality side
Quality quite often relates to something you are prepared to pay extra for or has
exclusivity.
We quite often use the phrase poor Quality or good Quality but what does Quality
actually mean?

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So What Is Quality?
So, what is Quality?
Quality has many connotations but is often best described as
no surprises.ie compliant with requirements or fitness for
purpose'.
Are you happy paying for bells and whistles that you dont
really need or for the highest quality every time?
For many, its about giving the customer (internal or external)
a little bit more than they expected but how do we make
that happen?
Quality is a multi-faceted concept; different dimensions of
quality will be important to different users.

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Quality Definition Some terms you may hear?

So, what is Quality?
Quality Assurance
This is the prevention of defects before they
happen
Following a recipe
Ensure the cake we bake is perfect first time
and every time
Small upfront cost but zero scrap

Quality Control
This is the detection of defects after the event
Implement an untried / unproven method
Estimate the relative amount of eggs, flour and
water and bake it
Check to see if you have something edible
No upfront cost but many cakes thrown away.

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Which of these are quality products?

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Quality is Central

Quality is Central to
protecting and enhancing
the Brand Reputation

Quality issues can have a

huge impact on profitability
and in the worst cases even
the survival of a Business

How do organisations manage quality?

Organisations Manage Quality by:

Establishing Policies and Processes for undertaking activities

Ensuring these Policies and Processes are effectively implemented
Ensuring these Policies and Processes deliver the required outcomes i.e. is a
quality product delivered?

Revising and Improving these Policies and Processes as required

If a Quality Product is not delivered what must change?

If a Quality Product is delivered what might we improve?

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The Role of the Quality Function

A Holistic View

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How do you get into quality?

University
Relevant subjects include:
Sciences
Engineering
Economics
Maths

Work!
School

Graduate Programmes

Subjects e.g.
Science,
maths,
tech studies

Apprentice Schemes
Other vacancies

Apprenticeships
Many large companies offer
apprenticeships

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Whats in it for you?

Lots of different roles including:

Supporting the development of Management Policies and Processes
Working with designers, suppliers and customers to ensure that a quality product is
produced that meets the customers requirements
Auditing
Project Management / Support for Business Improvement initiatives
The chance to make a difference even from a junior level.

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Whats in it for you?

Opportunities to travel and work abroad

Opportunities for further training
According to to Prospects, the typical starting salary for a Quality Manager in October 2012
was 18,000-25,000 a year.
Quality managers with experience can look to earn 35,000-100,000 per year (subject to
location, size of organisation and industry)
Transferable skills

Quality is practiced in ALL industries in the public and private sectors and by
firms and organisations of ALL sizes.
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Why I recommend quality

The role is central to the success of the Business

The role is satisfying as you play a vital part in ensuring that the Products / Services are fit
for purpose and have ensured that the organisation has met the end customers
requirements
Good visibility of how the business works and opportunities to interact with all of the
Business Functions
Continually striving to improve the products / services we offer
There is a good variety of roles and responsibilities and career development opportunities
Working within a Project Team
Do something different every day
Good careers and salaries are achievable.
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Find out more?

The Chartered Quality Institute www.cqi.org.uk

Prospects careers advice http://www.prospects.ac.uk/quality_manager_job_description.htm
National Careers Service - https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk

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