Design quality. Methode and implementation

Today, companies are faced with the demands of their customers, who want them to market products that meet their needs, but above all those of their users. These requirements can be met by implementing an organization, corresponding to means, which will minimize non-quality or what are commonly known as uncontrolled costs or, sometimes, hidden costs, corresponding to poorly done or unacceptable work within the company.

These costs are to be found at all levels of the company's overall process, from the definition of the customer's or user's needs, right through to product distribution. Many companies that design and manufacture their products focus primarily on quality at the production level. However, to be successful today, it is essential to be organized as far upstream as possible, and therefore to implement what is known as a quality management system right from the design phase. It is at this stage that non-quality costs the company the most, particularly design errors.

How can we master quality in design, or more generally, master the design process? The question needs to be broken down into several parts if we are to pose the real problem and be in a position to provide answers. First of all, it is necessary to meet the requirements of the five interested parties (customers, shareholders, government, staff and suppliers). Next, we need to integrate the designer's basic principles: good service rendered by the designed product, the right product, easy maintainability, evolution and eco-design. Finally, it is imperative to organize the process to ensure reproducibility, using appropriate tools.

Of course, when implemented with a quality approach, design is based on a simple logic that calls on easy-to-use tools and flexible organization. Many of the elements described in the various paragraphs are illustrated by real-life examples with their consequences, to make designers even more aware of the importance of quality in their field. Finally, several tips are given, in the form of a framework to follow, to avoid falling into certain organizational traps. Product FMEA, a tool much appreciated by designers, is presented as a procedure to be followed.