Practical example
Integrating quality assurance into the product development process
To prevent product issues in the long term, quality processes, methods, and tools must be implemented sustainably within the company as early as the product development phase. However, only when awareness of the necessity and importance of quality work is consistently embedded within the company can we ensure that all members of a quality network put these principles into practice and fully realize their potential.
Background
The guidelines, processes, and responsibilities for quality assurance in our client’s product development process had already been defined at the start of the project, but they were not being fully implemented or consistently followed by all stakeholders. Consequently, the first step was to examine the current quality processes for potential weaknesses in order to identify opportunities for improvement. In addition, increasing acceptance of quality management and embedding it within the company represented another lever for realizing the full potential.
Specific task
As part of the effort to optimize our client’s quality performance, the current quality activities and their management processes within the company’s product development process were to be examined and put to the test. In addition to conducting a vulnerability analysis and developing a proposed concept, potential factors influencing the future direction of quality work, as well as interfaces with current change projects within the company, had to be taken into account.
To sustainably embed quality work within the product development process, the quality strategy and its added value, as well as the management model for the various quality activities, were also to be described. In doing so, synergies and interfaces had to be taken into account to ensure maximum efficiency in quality work.
KBC's Approach
In addition to an analysis of the current state of quality activities in the product development process, expert interviews were conducted with individuals in quality-related roles to assess the status quo of quality work. Based on the information gathered, potential synergies were described and opportunities for improvement were identified. To embed quality awareness within the company, an introduction to quality activities—including their necessity, impact, and significance—was developed for employees from the quality network, and a management framework was established.
