Quality 4.0 - An Introduction

Quality 4.0 - An Introduction

Quality 4.0 is a term used to describe the application of digital technology to quality management. It builds on the foundations of customer-oriented total quality management and includes tools such as IoT, cloud computing, big data analytics, and smart factories found in Industry 4.0. The aim of Quality 4.0 is to provide a more holistic view of quality that considers the product or service itself and the customers’ needs and expectations.

Digital technology has recently transformed manufacturing, and quality management must adapt to keep up with these changes. With Quality 4.0, companies can move away from traditional quality control methods, which are often reactive and focus on detecting defects, to a more proactive approach that focuses on preventing defects from occurring in the first place.

The Origins of Quality 4.0

Quality 4.0 has roots in total quality management (TQM), a customer-centric approach to quality management developed in the 1950s. TQM aims to ensure products or services meet or exceed customer expectations by involving them in every stage of the development process. In the 1980s, TQM was further developed by Japanese companies that successfully applied TQM to their manufacturing processes. This led to the development of lean manufacturing based on TQM.

In recent years, there has been a shift from mass production to individualized production, made possible by advances in digital technology. This has given rise to Industry 4.0, the fourth industrial revolution characterized by IoT, cloud computing, and big data analytics in manufacturing. Quality management must adapt to these changes.

The Benefits of Quality 4.0

By digitizing quality management processes, companies can enjoy many benefits, including:

• Improved customer satisfaction: By taking into account the needs and expectations of customers at every stage of the development process, companies can develop products or services that are more likely to meet or exceed customer expectations. This leads to improved customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Increased efficiency: Digital tools such as big data analytics can identify trends and patterns that can help companies improve their processes and make them more efficient. For example, if a particular type of defect is frequently occurring, digital tools can help identify the root cause so that it can be addressed quickly and effectively.
• Reduced costs: By reducing waste and improving efficiency, companies can save money on production costs while maintaining or improving product quality.

Wrapping it up

Quality 4.0 is an approach to quality management that considers the product or service itself and the customers’ needs and expectations. It builds on the foundations of customer-oriented total quality management and includes tools such as IoT, cloud computing, big data analytics, and smart factories found in Industry 4.0. Quality 4.0 aims to provide a more holistic view of quality, improving customer satisfaction, increasing efficiency, and reducing costs.

Want to learn more?

American Society of Quality Engineers - https://asq.org/quality-resources/quality-4-0

James Jardine @ MasterControl - https://www.mastercontrol.com/gxp-lifeline/quality-4.0-industry-guide/

Mark Bridges @ Data Driven Investor - https://medium.datadriveninvestor.com/11-pillars-of-quality-4-0-framework-969683a9e920