Quality Function Deployment Approach Research Articles

New approach for quality function deployment based on multi-granular unbalanced linguistic information and consensus reaching process

As a widely used product improvement technique, the quality function deployment (QFD) can satisfy customer requirements and realize higher customer satisfaction by translating them into corresponding engineering characteristics. Nonetheless, two basic challenges hinder the effective application of QFD are the imprecise relationship assessments between customer requirements and engineering characteristics because of the uncertainty inherent in human judgements and the unreasonable importance ranking of engineering characteristics due to the heterogeneity of domain experts. In response, this paper puts forward a new hybrid QFD approach for the priority of engineering characteristics to satisfy customer requirements. First, multi-granular unbalanced linguistic term sets are utilized to describe the vague relational evaluations between customer requirements and engineering characteristics. Then, the opinion evolution social network consensus reaching model is employed to assist QFD experts in deriving consensual relational evaluations. Taking the conflict customer requirements into consideration, the combined compromise solution method is adopted and extended to derive the priority orders of engineering characteristics. To illustrate the practicality and effectiveness of the proposed QFD approach, a product development case about low pressure pulse filter is provided with comparative analysis and simulation experiments. The results show that the proposed approach can represent complex linguistic relationship assessments of experts and determine more accurate priority orders of engineering characteristics in QFD.

Desain Mesin Pengurai Sabut Kelapa Dengan Metode Quality Function Deployment

The aim of this research is to design a coco coir decomposition machine using the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) approach. The initial step of this research is to identify consumer needs which aims to know and answer consumer needs. The results of identifying consumer needs are used to build a House of Quality (HOQ). Based on the House of Quality (HOQ), the highest weight presentation is on the ergonomics aspect with a value of 94.5%, the size dimensions are in accordance with the average Indonesian body posture, as well as shape designs that are as needed such as non-stretching fibers. The design of the tool is designed in the form of a horizontal tube equipped with a covervalve knives, according to consumer needs, namely saving energy, tools that are easy to operate, safe, comfortable to use. This researchproduce The plan of the device measures with a device height of 130 cm, length of 195 cm and width of 70 cm

Designing a short-term training course curriculum using the quality function deployment (QFD)

PurposeThis research has been taken up by the human resource center of organization X, for designing a curriculum for a training course named “Basic Computer Application”, by optimizing topics and finalizing teaching strategies, based on needs and expectations collected from past and prospective training participants from different ranks of employees of X. The study aims to discuss this issue.Design/methodology/approachThe research strategy adopted is based on a survey conducted using a specially designed questionnaire. The questionnaire was circulated to 256 personnel selected randomly having computer backgrounds as well as non-computer backgrounds, who had either attended past batches of the same training course or attended different training courses. The data thus collected was processed using VOC Table and the affinity diagram and subsequently fed into the house of quality (HOQ) for obtaining desired output.FindingsThe study has identified and optimized topics for the course, based on employee needs/wants, using the two-stage QFD approach. After delivering the course with an optimized curriculum and teaching strategy, it is observed that the overall participant satisfaction performance of the course has increased from 3 to 4.6, which is higher than the goal set at 4. This indicates an overall enhancement in the satisfaction of participants with the delivery of the new improved course curriculum.Research limitations/implicationsAs indicated by the survey findings, the competence level of personnel with computer backgrounds is higher than that of personnel without computer backgrounds, which would result in different design considerations while constructing QFDs for these two entirely different groups of participants. This study has been limited to the course curriculum design for personnel with non-computer backgrounds only. The curriculum design for personnel with computer backgrounds will be addressed separately, in a future study.Originality/valueThis is an original study conducted on randomly selected employees across the country from among personnel working for different establishments of organization X. The approach taken in this study for optimizing a course curriculum is unique in the way that it uses a two-stage QFD, which is traditionally used for the design of a product, its components, and the subsequent manufacturing process. This study has employed a planning matrix that incorporated participant-given ratings for each individual need and also participant-decided benchmarking ratings of other similar courses. Estimation of final target has been done by factoring in participants' competence ratings for each individual topic, for a more truthful representation of participant opinion on the final output. This study has also adopted a unique approach of considering only top 80% (in terms of frequency of occurrence) of total responses while calculating weighted averages, instead of calculating the mean value of all data points. In this way, only the significant contributors have been considered while analyzing data.

Alleviating Energy Poverty through Renewable Energy Technology: An Investigation Using a Best-Worst Method-Based Quality Function Deployment Approach with Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy Numbers

Renewable energy technology is suitable for reducing energy consumption and emissions, and the corresponding impact on energy poverty has aroused tremendous attention. This paper proposed the best-worst method- (BWM-) based quality function deployment (QFD) approach within interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy number (IVIFN) to select the appropriate renewable energy technology for energy poverty alleviation. QFD is firstly used to explore the relationship between energy poverty reduction requirements (CRs), renewable energy technology selection criteria (TRs), and correlation among TRs. Interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy (IVIF) BWM is then applied for obtaining the correlation among CRs. After that, the IVIF-QFD method is used to attain the weight of TRs, which are then used to evaluate the renewable energy technology alternatives through IVIF-VIKOR approach. The six representative renewable energy technologies, including wind energy, solar energy, biomass (direct combustion, combined heat and power, and gasification), and hydropower have been selected in the decision model, and the result shows that the large-scale hydropower could be selected as the best choice to reduce the energy poverty issues, whose interval numbers is [0, 0.2925]. Except for prioritization of the selected technologies, findings of this paper could also contribute to developing sustainable renewable energy policies and energy roadmaps.

An integrated QFD and fuzzy TOPSIS approach for supplier evaluation and selection

PurposeSupplier evaluation and selection is an essential (multi-criteria decision-making) MCDM process that considers qualitative and quantitative factors. This research work attempts to use a MCDM technique based on merging fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (F-TOPSIS) and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) ideas. The study attempts to find the supplier's attributes (HOWs) to accomplish its goals after determining the product's characteristics to suit the company's needs (WHATs).Design/methodology/approachThe proposed research methodology comprises the following four steps: Step 1: Determine the product purchase requirements (“WHATs”) and those pertinent to supplier evaluation (“HOWs”). In Step 2, the relative importance of the “WHAT-HOW” correlation scores is determined and also the resulting weights of “HOWs”. In Step 3, linguistic evaluations of possible suppliers in comparison to subjective criteria are given to the decision-makers. Step 4 combines the QFD and F-TOPSIS techniques to select suppliers.FindingsA fuzzy MCDM method based on fusing and integrating fuzzy information and QFD is presented to solve the drawbacks of conventional decision-making strategies used in supplier selection. Using the F-TOPSIS method, fuzzy positive ideal solution (FPIS) and fuzzy negative ideal solution (FNIS), the relative closeness coefficient values for all alternatives are computed. The suppliers are ranked by relating the closeness of coefficient values. This method permits the combination of ambiguous and subjective data expressed as fuzzy-defined integers or linguistic variables.Originality/valueQFD and TOPSIS, two widely used approaches, are combined in this article to rank and evaluate suppliers based on the traits that the suppliers choose to prioritize. This study demonstrates that the method employed could address multiple-criteria decision-making scenarios in a computationally efficient manner. The effectiveness and applicability of the method are illustrated using an example.

Application of Quality Function Deployment for the Design & Development of Consumer Cosmetic PackagingBottle

The purpose of this research is to be able to provide alternative product design updates that are acceptable to consumers. The method to be used is the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) approach. QFD is a structured product planning and development method, to clearly determine the desired consumer needs and then carry out systematic calculations, ultimately produce products that can satisfy consumers. The results of this study obtained the highest rating value was the technical response of the packaging design with a value of 400.00, then in second place with a value of 162.96 namely the strength of the packaging material, the selection of packaging materials and the quality of packaging.

Improving Fall Detection Devices for Older Adults Using Quality Function Deployment (QFD) Approach.

Engineering invention must be in tandem with public demands. Often it is difficult to identify the priorities of consumers where technological advancement is needed. In line with the global challenge of increasing fall prevalence among older adults, providing prevention solutions is the key. This study aims at developing an improved fall detection device using an approach called Quality Function Deployment (QFD). The goal is to investigate features to incorporate in existing device from consumer's perspectives. A three-phases design process is constructed; (1) Questionnaire, (2) Ishikawa Method, and (3) QFD. The proposed method begins with identifying customer needs as the requirement analysis, followed by a method to convert them to design specifications to be added in a fall detection device using QFD tool. As the top feature is monitoring balance, the new improved fall detection devices incorporating balance features will help older adults to monitor their level of risk of falling.

Trend analysis of technology by using F-trem japanese patent and core technology clarification with Quality Function Deployment (QFD) approach

When a company develops technologies or products, it is important to obtain the trend of technology. It is necessary to obtain the trend of technology from macro and micro perspectives. In this case, patent information was used in both macro- and micro- perspectives. The core technologies of the companies are used to analyze the trend of technology from the micro perspective. The QFD approach is used as a method to identify the core technology of a company. From the core technology obtained by the QFD method, the patent classification codes are identified. The changes in technology were obtained by using the patent classification code.

Analysis of importance priority to be studied on igniter system of 450 caliber X rocket

A rocket is a flying platform that gets energy from the combustion process that performs a thrust that is large enough to reach hypersonic speed. It becomes quite vital considering the speed of the combustion process in double configuration propellant type, which is r=7 mm/s. The ignition of the propellant is supported by a squib as a conductor of electricity to the igniter which will then conduct heat to the propellant in the rocket motor. The main focus of this research is to analyze the development potential of the X rocket igniter system. This research uses a Quantitative Method approach, with the research analysis using a Quality Function Deployment (QFD) approach. Based on the benchmark values ​​obtained from each supporting instrument used in the 450 caliber X rocket igniter system, the results were obtained on a priority scale for the development of a rocket igniter system as an effort to overcome the igniter from malfunctions when the operating system is running. The results show that the instruments that need to be developed are the squib, pyrotechnics, emergency button, ground system, and wiring system.

A fuzzy QFD approach to prioritize capabilities and enablers of organizational agility based on its drivers: a case study

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a fuzzy Quality Function Deployment (QFD)-based approach for identifying and prioritizing organizational agility (OA) capabilities and enablers based on its drivers.Design/methodology/approachFirst, several models for agility drivers (ADs), agility capabilities (ACs) and agility enablers (AEs) are reviewed and ranked, and the best for each one is selected. Second, ADs’ indexes are weighted by using experts’ comments and fuzzy numbers. Finally, by using a proposed fuzzy QFD approach, ACs and AEs are prioritized. In addition, the proposed approach has been examined within a real case study, Golnoor Company in Esfahan, Iran.FindingsResults reveal that among ADs’ criteria, “Changes in competition criteria” have the highest weights for the case study. In addition, “Leadership in the use of current technology” and “Knowledge management” have been ranked as the first place among ACs and AEs, respectively.Originality/valueAfter conducting a comprehensive literature review, the authors did not find any particular framework, which consider AEs and ACs based on ADs simultaneously. Accordingly, the authors’ main novelty is proposing a fuzzy QFD to prioritize the OA capabilities and enablers based on its drivers.

Design Of Digitalization Of Lamong Bay Terminal Service System In Supporting Indonesian Sea Toll Program With Quality Function Deployment (Qfd) Approach

Indonesia is a maritime country because it has a larger water area than land area. Indonesia has 17,499 islands that inhabit 3.25 million km2 of water from Sabang to Merauke. Therefore, sea transportation is one of the most important things that is used as a link between islands in Indonesia. Seaports are one of the most important parts of the marine transportation network in Indonesia in supporting the transportation of people and goods. Sea toll is a marine logistical transportation concept that aims to connect major ports in the archipelago. With this sea toll, it is hoped that it can reduce logistics costs andcan maintain the stability of the price of goods and commodities between regions. The purpose of this research is to design a digital platform to optimize port services to be more effective and efficient in entering the industrial era 4.0 which will have an impact mainly from minimizing national logistics costs, dwelling time, balancing distribution channels and product prices, and reducing differences in operating costs ports between regions. This study, using the QFD approach which has several stages of planning and development through a matrix, one of which is the House of Quality (HoQ) matrix. In this method, it is used to link Customer Requirements (CR) and Performance Standards (PS) to identify relevant PS that affect the effectiveness and efficiency of the port system to the specified CR. With the role of the digital platform system for the seaport operational system, especially in Teluk Lamong Terminal, so that all stakeholder representatives can provide advice according to their institutional interests regarding the Indonesian sea highway program and solve it only in the mobile phone application. Based on the calculation of the House of Quality (HoQ), it can be analyzed that each technical response has a priority level so that it can be determined which attributes should be developed first. The technical response which is the first priority is system integration between stakeholders, the second priority is application data security, and the third priority is the dock activity information feature.

New Approach for Quality Function Deployment Using an Extended CoCoSo Method with Spherical Fuzzy Sets

Quality function deployment (QFD) is a customer-driven quality management tool that can improve system quality, promote innovation, and enhance the core competitiveness of enterprises. Nonetheless, the traditional QFD method has defects in handling the experts’ assessments, measuring customer requirement importance, and prioritizing engineering characteristics, which affect its efficiency and limit its application in the real world. In this study, a new QFD approach based on spherical fuzzy sets (SFSs) and a combined compromise solution (CoCoSo) method is proposed to overcome the shortcomings associated with the traditional QFD. To be specific, the linguistic relationship assessments between the customer requirements and engineering characteristics provided by the experts were described by the SFSs, the relative weights of the customer requirements were obtained via the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method, and the importance ranking orders of the engineering characteristics were determined with an improved CoCoSo method. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed QFD approach are illustrated by an empirical case of accommodation service design. The results show that the new QFD approach provides a useful and practical way to represent the relationship assessment information of experts and determine the priority of engineering characteristics in product development.

Integrated framework of knowledge-based decision support system for user-centered residential design

A user-oriented residential environment is considered essential to providing occupants with a comfortable living experience while meeting their demands. However, design assessment in the early stage of residential design is a complex problem due to multifactor coupling, the diversity in user needs, and the incompleteness of design knowledge. This study proposes an integrated framework of knowledge-based decision support system (KBDSS) to mitigate such problems. In this framework, the user segmentation is performed in accordance with people’s particular requirements priority and, thus, enables design decisions that create better satisfaction among a wider audience. Meanwhile, the quality function deployment approach, decision support system, and fuzzy set theory are used to translate user requirements into quantifiable design specifications, thereby making the design a multicriteria decision-making problem. To illustrate and validate the proposed framework, a case study of a KBDSS for a multiunit residential building kitchen design is demonstrated to explore a user-centered residential design with such decision support. This proposed framework provides naive design practitioners with specific knowledge about decision problems and assists them in consistently making user-centered design decisions. The research results represent a further step toward a systematic methodology of user-centered built environment design.

Prioritising the determinants of Industry-4.0 for implementation in MSME in the post-pandemic period – a quality function deployment analysis

PurposeMicro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are witnessing an accelerated transformation by the advent of Industry-4.0 (I4.0) in the post-pandemic period. It is offering promising customer responsiveness, competitiveness, business growth and sustainability and thereby, compelling its integration to MSMEs. Therefore, it is imperative for researchers to explore Industry 4.0 challenges and their specific implementation requirements and also provide useful insights to the stakeholders.Design/methodology/approachThis research paper has identified, explained and analysed various determinants of the I4.0 implementation, in MSME context. Focus group approach has been applied for taking inputs from experts for developing the House of Quality (HOQ) tool of the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methodology from the Total Quality Management (TQM) tool-box.FindingsBased on the responses and after applying QFD, a conceptual model suggesting relevant strategies to execute I4.0 by Indian MSMEs has been developed. The model highlights three key challenges being faced by the Indian MSMEs –Top management support, Incompatible resources and Transition cost. The model also reveals vital few designer's descriptors – Cultural reorientation, IT enabled digitization, Process automation and knowledge and skill in I4.0 implementation (Knowhow) for a structured implementation of I4.0.Practical implicationsThe evolved HOQ framework has provided some useful insights - priority areas in the MSME challenges and the designer's descriptors for I4.0 implementation in MSME. The research has also provided the understanding of the dynamics between the I4.0 components through the 10 × 10 interrelationship matrix of the HOQ. Farsighted MSME leaders, practising consultants, sourcing managers and policy makers can use the developed framework as a reference in formulating tactics to mitigate the I4.0 implementation barriers.Originality/valueThe non-conventional application of HOQ in the QFD approach from the TQM tool-box is a useful value addition to the TQM practitioners. The useful insights to the MSME leaders, policy makers, sourcing managers of OEM, consultants engaged in I4.0 transformation and academic researchers are the other contribution.

Consumer Demand Behavior Mining and Product Recommendation Based on Online Product Review Mining and Fuzzy Sets

Consumer demand is the need for product characteristics expressed in their own words, which is the basis for producers to develop product recommendations. The extraction and analysis of consumer demands is the most critical input information in quality function deployment (QFD), which has a significant impact on the final prioritization of product technical features, product optimization, and subsequent configuration decisions in QFD, and is directly related to the success of product development. However, the traditional QFD approach to demand analysis lacks reliability and feasibility, and its application often requires time and labor costs that exceed the company’s actual capabilities. Therefore, this paper uses online reviews as the data source and constructs a latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic model based on fuzzy sets to explore the consumer demand information reflected in user reviews. We also introduce the concept of word vector to improve the LDA topic model and compare it with the traditional topic model to verify the performance of the model, so as to explore the consumer demand behavior more accurately and efficiently.

Engineering Characteristics Prioritization in Quality Function Deployment Using an Improved ORESTE Method with Double Hierarchy Hesitant Linguistic Information

Quality function deployment (QFD) is a customer-driven product development technique widely utilized to translating customer requirements into engineering characteristics for maximum customer satisfaction. Nonetheless, when used in real situations, the traditional QFD method has been criticized to have many deficiencies, e.g., in expressing experts’ uncertain assessments and prioritizing engineering characteristics. In this study, we propose a new engineering characteristics prioritization approach based on double hierarchy hesitant linguistic term sets (DHHLTSs) and the ORESTE (organísation, rangement et Synthèse de données relarionnelles, in French) method to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional QFD. Specifically, the main contributions of this study to the literature are that the DHHLTSs are utilized to describe the hesitant relationship assessments between customer requirements and engineering characteristics provided by experts, and the ORESTE method is modified and used to determine the importance ranking orders of engineering characteristics. Finally, a case study and a comparison analysis are presented to illustrate the feasibility and practicability of the proposed QFD approach. The advantages of the new approach being proposed are higher flexibility in handling experts’ intricate and hesitant relationship evaluation information and effective in providing a reasonable prioritization of engineering characteristics in the practical QFD analysis.

Strategies to mitigate barriers to supply chain sustainability: an apparel manufacturing case study

PurposeThis research aims to develop a decision support framework to determine the optimal strategies for mitigating supply chain sustainability (SCS) barriers.Design/methodology/approachTo operationalize the research objectives, both qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted. The qualitative phase comprised a field study, while a quality function deployment approach and optimisation technique were used in the quantitative phase.FindingsThis study finds that a lack of support from top management and cost and utility supply problems are the primary barriers to SCS. This study also finds that incentives for suppliers to implement sustainability practices, awareness building among supply chain members and supplier development are the main strategies to mitigate the barriers.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study will assist the supply chain managers in prioritizing sustainability barriers and implementing the optimal strategies to mitigate the barriers.Originality/valueFounded on the stakeholder theory and dynamic capability view, this study developed a unique decision support framework to identify appropriate strategies for mitigating SCS barriers while optimizing the social, environmental and economic objectives of the supply chain.

A decision model for sustainable informal entrepreneurship in cities

PurposeSustainable development goals and the climate change agenda are becoming widely promoted topics of research for the 21st century. The role of cities is increasingly recognised as central to investigating these topics. Yet, the field of informal sector entrepreneurship which so many urban entrepreneurs in developing countries depend upon is seldom considered. To redress this imbalance, this study aims to develop a decision model in accordance with institutional theory (IT) and resource dependency theory (RDT) for city managers to deploy. The model identifies and prioritises optimal strategies to address the three areas of sustainability requirements environment society and economy within the study context of Bangladesh.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a mixed methods research design. In the qualitative part, the authors identified the three areas of sustainability requirements (i.e. environment, society and economy) and their corresponding strategies involving the informal sector that operates within the urban environment. In the quantitative part, the authors applied fuzzy quality function deployment (QFD) integrated with the 0-1 non-linear optimisation technique to identify optimal strategies.FindingsThe findings show that strategies such as legitimate frameworks, waste management, allocation of urban public space and training programs contribute in important ways to the three areas of sustainability requirements.Practical implicationsThe proposed decision model will assist policy-makers and city managers to prioritise sustainability requirements and implement optimal strategies to address those requirements.Originality/valueThrough the integration of IT and RDT, the decision model developed in this study is unique in its application to urban-based informal entrepreneurship in the context of developing countries. The effective application of the fuzzy QFD approach and the optimisation model in the context of urban-based informal entrepreneurship also offers unique contributions to the field of study.

A voice of the customer real-time strategy: An integrated quality function deployment approach

In the era of Industry 4.0, the rapid development of information technology in the last decade has provided new challenges for product improvement by enabling users to give their feedback and sentiments in real time. In this paper, combining with genetic algorithm back propagation neutral network, fuzzy inference method, and entropy-based synthesis evaluation method, we raise a full-process product improvement solution driven by online reviews, from the initial online review collection to the final engineering characteristic prioritization. The proposed novel integrated quality function deployment-based approach adheres to the customer-oriented design principle, allowing manufacturers to strengthen the launched product based on the spontaneously-articulated voice of customer, rather than the traditional expertise. In this way, an off-the-shelf product improvement strategy is available for enterprises, and its special advantages like fast adaptation and real-time responsiveness, would significantly reduce management costs, shorten response time to market dynamics, and enhance customer satisfaction. In addition, a case study in smartphone industry is conducted for illustration, and the results clearly demonstrate the effectiveness and practicability of the treatment.

Curriculum design for vocational industrial robotics: the quality function deployment (QFD) approach used in China for vocational course design

Curriculum design for vocational industrial robotics: the quality function deployment (QFD) approach used in China for vocational course design