Quality – a prime factor when it comes to launching a product or service into a market. Maintaining the consistent quality of products/services builds trust among customers, increases retention and generates more leads. But it requires attention to detail, continuous process improvement, and monitoring so that products meet the set standards. The cut-throat competition has raised the bar for business – be it retail & ecommerce, banking & financeor any other one. It has now become a necessity to set quality control techniques to meet user expectations which results in the successful running of any business.
Quality control is an ongoing process that keeps a check on the overall process from manufacturing to purchasing and distribution. It involves measurement and testing of actual quality and determination of defects to ensure whether the final product is within the required specification. The whole purpose of quality testingis to uncover defects and suggest corrective measures required to bring improvement in the current manufacturing process.
In the words of Alford and Beatty, Quality Control is defined as “In the broad sense, quality control is the mechanism by which products are made to measure up to specifications determined from customers, demands and transformed into sales engineering and manufacturing requirements, it is concerned with making things right rather than discovering and rejecting those made wrong”.
Thus, Quality control is a set of standards that uses well-defined controls and helps businesses in delivering top-notch products/services. It helps identify the root causes behind the poor product quality/process and recommend effective quality control measures that can be taken to eliminate the causes. Thus, serves as a foundation for seamless functioning of the production process which considerably reduces wastage and offers the operational and marketing benefits.
Today, all the manufacturers and service providers are using a standard quality control system to enhance the quality of their products and services. To attain the required level of quality, organizations are majorly using two techniques namely Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) to gain a competitive edge. These two techniques emphasize on delivering the product/service that meets the defined standards.
Quality Control Benefits the Organization in so many ways. Here are the key advantages of
The quality of a product is the X factor that adds intangible value to your product and differentiates it from your competitors. A customer always expects a product to be of excellent quality; hence, continuous quality checking is an essential element for producing high-quality goods. With quality control tools like TraQtion and Test Measurement Calibration, it is possible to meet product specifications with the standard quality of a product. On the reverse side, quality failure can adversely affect the brand image and manufacturing defects cause the failure of the final product in the market. Therefore, Quality control is necessary to spot the defect before the final product reaches the end consumer.
Total Quality Management improves the overall efficiency, flexibility, effectiveness, and competitiveness of a business. With effective inspection and quality control measures, it is possible to reduce waste. QC process keeps a check on the production of low-quality products that reduce wastage. The TQM process enables companies to produce cost-effective products. An experienced quality control executive can perform an inspection at various levels to ensure product quality prior to shipping.
Introducing better quality products in the market increases the reputation of your business and creates goodwill among the customers. Process improvement leads to early identification of defects and improves the existing business process to maintain quality standards. This helps you earn customer loyalty which is a key to developing a better brand image. Quality control inspectors prevent the manufacturing of inferior products; thus protect your brand image.
Following a standard quality control process protect your business from unwanted lawsuits and expensive liability claims as it ensures customers’ safety. Suppose you are in a business of making machinery, then adopting a quality control process reduces the chances of mistakes that can harm people and make your product unsafe.
Having a renowned name in the market reduces the investment done on marketing and advertising which somehow increases your revenue share. When customers are satisfied with your services/product and your company has a good reputation in the market, it will certainly lead to an increase in the sale. Also, retention of old customer brings more customers into the fold.
It encourages quality consciousness among the workforce to maintain the required level of quality in a service or product. The process of total quality management encourages employees to bring in their best effort to create products/services of high standards. This process is customer-oriented that aims at improving business operations on a continuous basis.
Effective use of control techniques leads to optimum utilization of resources. Regular quality checks and the use of quality control measures improve the overall production process. Thus, increases the work efficiency of a workforce that leads to wastage reduction.
Effective implementation of quality control procedures leads to the production of high-quality goods and brings quality to work. Also, adopting quality protocols fosters quality consciousness among employees thus, boost employee morale.
In the nutshell, quality affects your business in numerous ways, from customer satisfaction and profitability to productivity and brand image. And, the overall operating cost of the organization. So, once you understand your target audience and their needs, you must focus on yielding those needs by delivering high-quality products.
