Technical article
How to assess and improve quality management in companies!
Munich– Quality issues pose a growing risk to companies. Nearly half of the companies surveyed in a KBC study* report that their quality-related costs have risen in recent years. Although a wide range of potential measures exists to improve reliability, many of these ideas are not known within the companies themselves. Furthermore, defining a suitable portfolio of measures often takes too long and usually fails to realize the full potential.
Identifying Areas for Improvement Using a Quality Scan
In response to rising quality-related costs in companies, KBC has developed a “Quality Scan (Q-Scan)” that can be used to assess a company’s quality performance and, in a subsequent step, improve it in a sustainable manner. KBC’s tried-and-tested methodology enables the rapid identification of areas requiring action as well as the efficient selection of a set of measures to increase quality and reliability and, consequently, to reduce quality-related costs.
Quality Scan Process
Based on expert interviews tailored specifically to the client—comprising approximately 200 questions—aspects relevant to quality and reliability are discussed in consultation with the client. Since quality is generated within value-added processes, KBC conducts these expert interviews across all departments. The interview participants are carefully selected together with the client at the start of the project to minimize internal capacity requirements and make the analysis as efficient as possible.
Competitive Analysis and Industry Benchmarking
The data gathered from the expert interviews is analyzed and evaluated. The insights from the interviews are then supplemented by incorporating additional relevant data, such as audit results or quality metrics from the companies. Benchmarking within the mobility industry enables a further objective assessment of the effectiveness of the client’s quality management system. From the 80 to 100 areas for improvement typically identified, KBC finally selects the levers with the highest potential. After a period of three to six weeks, the client finally knows how they stack up against the competition and which set of measures to implement to sustainably optimize quality and reliability within their company.
Please feel free to contact us to discuss the topics of “assessing the current state of quality” or “identifying a portfolio of measures to improve quality.”
* Source: “Saving Through Collaboration – Cost-Effective Cooperation Between Financial and Quality Management.”
