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Abstract
Purpose - To identify QFD best practices and understand factors that contribute to successful QFD application.
Design/methodology/approach - A field research study is presented that summarises the use of QFD in a number of companies operating in Brazil. The paper reports multiple case studies conducted in organizations that have already achieved maturity in QFD implementation.
Findings - The study identified areas of QFD best practice such as the development of matrices and voice of customers, interaction with other organizational practices (e.g. TQC system and other methods and techniques), and less traditional QFD applications (concept definition, strategic planning, and developing a global product). The study also identifies QFD implementation success factors related to organizational characteristics (e.g. management support for QFD and cross-functional involvement in QFD project), data sources (e.g. existing data sources and QFD-driven data sources), and QFD tools and techniques such as use of advanced phases of quality deployment (e.g. development of different matrices, comprehensive QFD, integration of analytical techniques and QFD).
Practical implications - A useful source to be used by organizations that have been implementing QFD for product development or for those that plan to employ the method.
Originality/value - The paper offers practical and applied information on QFD implementation while identifying areas of best practice within a variety of situations. It will be useful for both academics and practitioners.
Keywords Product development, Quality function deployment, Brazil
Paper type Case study
Introduction
Remaining competitive in a global economy hinges on the ability to develop successful products. Companies usually establish a product development process in order to develop their products more effectively. This process embraces a number of methods and techniques in each of its stages to gather the information needed to progress the project to the next stage. One of the methods applied to product development is QFD (quality function deployment). It is a method adopted by a number of companies that helps to translate customer needs and wants into a technical concept or design quality characteristics.
A significant number of QFD applications have been reported, and a vast literature has evolved. These applications have lead to a discussion concerning the overall effects of QFD in organizations throughout the world. It is a fact that some organizations have implemented QFD, but...