The document discusses moving quality inspections earlier in the production process to reduce costs. It presents a model showing the distribution of quality costs throughout production, from development to after sales. The goal is to shift from a reactive, trust-based quality system to a proactive, fact-based one by building quality into decision making, supplier qualifications, and development processes. A five-level quality system maturity model ranges from local and random inspections to an intelligent system that integrates quality across the business through data-driven decision making, supplier audits, and clear quality performance goals.

1. Build in quality – move inspections up-stream
Cost / Value
Distribution of quality costs
Finished
goods
inspection
(FGI)
Pre-delivery
inspection
(PDI)
Supplier
production
Warranties
Service
visits.
Own
Production
Receiving
inspection
(RIT)
Development
Prevention
Products to
customer
Saving
Design
change
(Specification)
After sale
Quality
agreement /
Audit / SPC
Products to
central
warehouse
Shipment /
Reception
Detection
Reactive, trust based
Proactive, fact based

2. From “local and random” to “Intelligent”
Quality system maturity model
Build into
decision-making
and risk
management.
Build in quality
through:
Supplier
qualification
Integrated part of
development
D/P-FMEA
Data driven
decision-making.
Intensive use of
statistical tools
MSA, Capability
studes
Quality control,
far up-stream
by means of
close relationship
to Suppliers and
PPAP
Integrated, cross
business area
response to
negative events
Performance
linked activities
Clear goals for
Quality
performance,
quality
agreement
coverage and
audit frequency.
Proactivity
through
increased use of
Supplier preaudits and FMEA
Main materials
approved.
Prevention
2. Systematic
Policies,
procedures,
authorities
defined and
communicated
Centralized,
business area
function
Quality
agreements with
major suppliers,
limited audit
activities
Specialists may
react on negative
events.
Not common
approach to
quality
Roles,
responsibilities
and activities only
established to a
limited extent
Ad-hoc. Chaotic
and
uncoordinated.
Depends
primarily on
individual
capabilities
Quality
inspections far
down-stream if at
all.
Detection
Problem solving
1. Inteligent
Guidelines set by
management
3. Top-down
4. Specialist silos
5. Local and random
Reactive, trust based
12/04/2010
Title/Department/Archive/Author
Proactive, fact based
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