Integrating Design for Environment (DfE) Impact Matrix into Quality Function Deployment (QFD) Process

Abstract

This paper describes a methodology for integrating environmental concerns and requirements into the product definition and evaluation process. The approach taken is the incorporation of a Design for Environment (DfE) ‘Environmentally Responsible Product Assessment Matrix’ into Quality Function Deployment's (QFD's) ‘House of Quality’ (HoQ) matrices. By integrating a DfE's environmental criteria (the ‘Voice of the Environmental Customer’) into QFD's HoQ matrices, all product requirements – quality, cost, and environmental – can be considered concurrently throughout the product life cycle. To do this, the traditional sequence of HoQ matrices is redefined to include the structuring of design objectives and alternatives based on a multi-objective decision hierarchy. The paper presents an illustrative example demonstrating this method.