This article was originally published on ResourceMFG.com

Why quality control is important

Have you ever wondered how products or services are made and delivered in great condition? Put simply, it’s because of quality control (QC).

Quality control standards uphold excellence in product and service delivery, shaping customer satisfaction and brand reputation. Read on to learn more about the importance of quality control systems.

What is quality control and why is it important?

Quality control is a systematic approach that’s used to uphold or enhance product quality. It involves creating a culture where everyone aims for perfection. This is achieved through training, setting quality benchmarks, and conducting thorough product testing to identify variations.

The value of QC

Developing a product takes a lot of time and money, and it can be risky. Without the right controls, companies can face liability for defective products.

Quality control inspectors play an important role in identifying and addressing potential defects or safety issues.

Following quality control standards is ultimately crucial for:

1. Protecting a company’s reputation and building trust with customers
2. Meeting customer expectations and maintaining high standards
3. Enhancing customer satisfaction by preventing unreliable products

Read more: Quality control versus quality assurance

The benefits of proper quality control checks

Thorough quality control inspection leads to organizational benefits such as:

• Consistent product quality. Companies and consumers can rest assured that every product meets the same high standards. This is essential to long-term customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Reduced costs. By minimizing waste, rework, and product recalls, teams save a considerable amount on materials and production processes.
• Enhanced reputation. Quality control builds trust and credibility with customers, which helps lead to positive word-of-mouth and repeat business.
• Regulatory compliance. Adherence to relevant industry regulations and standards helps companies avoid fines, penalties, and legal issues.
• Increased efficiency. Quality control streamlines processes and identifies areas for improvement to optimize use of resources and workflow.
• Improved decision-making. Access to reliable data and insights allows for informed decision-making and strategic planning.
• Competitive advantage. Delivering superior quality products is critical to standing out in the market and for positioning a brand as a leader in its industry.

Building effective quality control procedures

Developing thorough and effective quality control procedures typically involves these six steps:

1. Outlining the specifications and requirements that define a high-quality product or service
2. Implementing standardized procedures for each stage of production or service delivery
3. Educating employees on quality control standards, procedures, and the role they play in maintaining quality
4. Regularly inspecting and testing products or services to identify deviations from standards
5. Addressing any defects or issues accordingly
6. Implementing feedback mechanisms to gather insight and suggestions for continuous improvement

Exploring common quality control methods

Some methods that quality control professionals can use to monitor and communicate inspection concerns or issues include:

• The 100% inspection method involves checking every product or unit to ensure it meets quality control standards without allowing defective items to slip through.
• The Taguchi method focuses on optimizing product design and manufacturing processes to enhance quality and minimize variation.
• Six Sigma quality control employs a systematic approach to minimize defects and process variations, aiming for near-perfect quality through statistical analysis and improvement techniques.
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) systematically identifies potential errors in products or processes, assesses their impact, and prioritizes corrective actions.
• Statistical Process Control (SPC) involves monitoring and controlling production processes using statistical methods to maintain consistency and quality.