Quality control (QC) is part of the entire process of manufacturing and service delivery, whereby products or services can be measured against specific requirements to ensure their quality. Different industries apply different QC measures to monitor, evaluate and improve quality. In this article we will explain the types of quality control in simple words.
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The most common and oldest method of quality control is the inspection method.
This is getting subjected to the scrutiny of an article, material, or service to check whether it meets given standards. This can be carried out by manual inspection or through sophisticated equipment.
Inspections done through the naked eye or magnifying tools to find surface defects or inconsistencies of items.
Measurement of size, shape, and dimension of parts with the use of tools such as calipers and micrometers to verify that a part meets the specific requirement.
Statistical process control entails the use of statistics in order to monitor and control production processes. The collection and computed analyses of data demonstrate for companies the upcoming trend, variability, or defect in operations that arise.
X-bar and R charts are essentially visual tools for process-performance tracking over the duration. Any points that wander outside the control limits should indicate a problem.
Bar charts that indicate the mode of occurrence of data and help with pattern identification or abnormality detection.
It is a method of sampling a few products from the batch and testing them. Accept the entire batch if the sample is found to be up to standard; otherwise, reject the entire batch instead.
Take one sample from a batch.
Tests an initial sample, and if results are inconclusive, a second sample is tested.
Six Sigma is a data-driven approach that aims to identify or eliminate defects and improve process quality. It emphasizes achievement of consistent results with minimized variability.
An acronym for Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve and Control. It is the framework enabling process improvements to be structured.
Stands for Define, Measure, Analyse, Design and Verify. Used specifically for developing new processes or products.
This type of quality control focuses on all members of the organisation. In which all employees are involved in improving quality throughout the organisation. It stresses top-notch customer delight, continuous improvement, and team spirit.
Wholeheartedly embraces little-by-little, gradual change with the passage of time.
Pampers the worker to quality improvement suggestions and implementations.
Process audits evaluate the extent to which a production or service process is efficient and effective. In contrast to product inspections, this technique examines the methods or procedures involved in the manufacturing of products or delivery of services.
These audits are performed by internal audit teams, where compliance with its own standards is required.
These audits are being conducted by an outside party or third-party organization to satisfy the regulatory requirements or certification.
RCA, refers to a specific problem-solving method that experts use to determine the root cause of problems or failures and to prevent their recurrence for the organization.
This diagram, also referred to as the Ishikawa diagram, is a drawing that shows various potential causes of a problem visually.
One of the methods used in the 5 Whys is repeating the question "Why?" five times (or more) in order to extract the root cause.
FMEA describes a detailed method of finding possible failure points in a product or process and determining the effect of those failures. It priorities issues according to their severity, occurrence, and last, but never least, detectability.
Assesses the seriousness of a failure’s impact.
Rates how probable the failure is to occur.
Measures the probability that the failure will be discovered before being transferred to the end user.
Benchmarking refers to the process of comparing performance, products, or processes of a company with industry leaders or competitors in order to identify gaps and improvement areas.
Comparing the processes that the organization has with other processes within the same organisation.
Comparison against the competition.
Comparison of similar processes across different industries.
Lean manufacturing is all about waste elimination and making the processes efficient, not letting the quality be sacrificed. It can further be reinforced with Six Sigma for maximum impact.
Identifies and analyses the steps that add value, and those that do not.
Produces the items as and when required to avoid wastefulness from the stock.
Poka-yoke represents error-proof design either in processes or tools, so that mistakes cannot happen or happen and there is an immediate detection. Most of this design comes from manufacturing process design.
The design is such that one prevents improper joinings from being made such as connectors which fit only one way.
Signals, like lights or alarms, to an operator that he's about to make a mistake.
Automated quality control can either be done using machines, software, or by using sensors. This is more common in industries like electronics, automotive, and pharmaceuticals.
Quality control Techniques imply that products and services are examined and then aligned towards the standards and possible measures for efficiency and meeting client needs. Traditionally, inspection has undergone different definitions and methods, including the modern six sigma and lean manufacturing efforts employed by companies to identify, analyse, and put in place measures to reduce defects. Application of statistical control methods, audits, and root causes leads to continuous improvement and optimal working of the organisation. Enroll in the British Academy for Training and Development to learn about quality control techniques and achieve your goals.