Page 27 - DMGT524_TOTAL_QUALITY_MANAGEMENT

Total Quality Management

Notes 3. Advanced statistical methods (using computers)
(i) Advanced experimental design
(ii) Multivariate analysis
(iii) Operations research methods.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
18. …………………… was the first to introduce the concept of quality control circles.
19. Kaoru Ishikawa argues that …………… has to rely on the wide use of statistical techniques.

2.7 Genichi Taguchi

Genichi Taguchi worked as Director of the Japanese Academy of Quality between 1978 and 1982.
He was awarded the Deming Prize in 1960 for his contribution in developing techniques for
industrial optimization. He has developed methods for on-line and off-line quality control
which form the basis for his approach towards total quality control assurance in 1989. Taguchi
received MITI’s Pourle Ribbon Award from the Emperor of Japan for his contribution to Japanese
industrial standards. He is known as international consultant in quality control and assurance.
Taguchi’s methods incorporate the use of statistical techniques. They are primarily intended for
designers and engineers to optimize the setting so that products are robust. These statistical
methods are intended as a troubleshooting/problem-solving tool in the early stages of the
product development cycle. Besides control variables which are dealt with by SPC, Taguchi
methods enable engineers/designers to identify ‘noise variables’ which if not controlled can
affect product manufacture and performance.
Taguchi defines the quality of a product as the loss imparted by the product to the society from
the time the products is shipped. The loss may include various things such as customer complaints,
added warranty costs, damage to company reputation and loss of market lead amongst others.
Taguchi argues that product does not start causing losses until it is out of specification but more
importantly when there is deviation from the target value.
Taguchi methods emerged because of his disagreement with the use of zero defects as a principle
to produce quality products. The zero defect principle is that the robustness derives from
consistency. Provided that there is a consistency in deviations, it will be quite possible to make
adjustments in the target. Zero Defect does not permit scattered deviations within specifications.
Taguchi argues that product robustness comes from having consistent deviation which them
makes the task of elimination much easier. He proposed the list of quality imperatives as
guidelines to quality improvement.

Table 2.2: Taguchi’s Quality Imperatives

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