Page 80 - DLIS406_ACADEMIC_LIBRARY_SYSTEM

Unit 8: Leadership

inputs for production and/or finished products. Under this system, some quality characteristics Notes
are examined, measured and compared with required specifications to assess conformity.
Therefore, the inspection-based system is a screening process that merely isolates conforming
from non-conforming products without having any direct mechanism to reduce defects. Reducing
the damage to final products, sampling plans were developed to control product quality.
Although an effective technique, a quality control system based on sampling inspection does
not directly achieve customer satisfaction and continuous improvement. Producing fewer defects
through process improvement is the only means of reducing defects.

8.1.3 Quality by Process Control
Defects inevitably add to the production cost and waste resources. Therefore, a business strives
for zero defects. The quality management system based on sampling inspections has been
replaced by the approach of continuously improving the process. This concept, as pioneered
by Deming, moves from detecting defects to preventing them and continuing with process
improvement to meeting and exceeding customer requirements on a continuous basis. The
continuous cycle of process improvement is based on the scientific method for addressing
problems, commonly referred to as the Deming cycle. Deming’s approach consists of four
basic stages:
1. a plan of what to do;

2. do or carry out the plan;
3. study what has done; and
4. act to prevent errors or improve the process. The planning stage consists of studying the
current situation, gathering data, and planning for improvement. Related activities include:
(a) defining the process, its inputs, outputs, customers, and suppliers;
(b) understanding customer expectations;
(c) identifying problems;
(d) testing theories of causes; and
(e) developing solutions.

In the do stage, the plan is implemented on a trial basis to evaluate a proposed solution and
provide objective data. The study stage determines whether or not the trial plan is working
correctly and if any further problems or opportunities are identified. In the final stage, act, the
final plan is implemented and the improvements become standardized and implemented continuously.
The Deming Cycle can enhance communication between the staff involved and help employees
to use the wheel to improve processes. Some of the specific tools used to improve processes
are control charts, process capability studies, seven tools, seven new tools, and seven creativity
tools. However, the appropriate tools must be applied for the specified purpose. For example,
cause-and-effect diagrams and process flow charts could be more appropriate during the
planning stage of the Deming wheel, whereas control charts may be most appropriate during
the stage of checking.

8.1.4 Quality by Design

The Deming approach shifted the focus of quality management a step back from inspection to
process control. The approach of quality by design makes a further step back from process to
design. By definition, Quality by design implies that quality must be built in early in the

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