“Quality is free when considering the costs of poor quality, reflected in product/service redesign, rework, scrap, re-servicing, lost customers, credibility & future business” (Source: Philip Crosby).
An organisations competitiveness in the global marketplace is severely affected by the costs of poor quality, and poor quality can cost an organisation in the long run. Businesses have the attitude that quality is great, but quality is one of the first functions to be cut when times are hard for a business. Those organisations taking that approach have never implemented continuous quality improvement as a standard way of conducting business, and quality is seen as a stand-alone function. The executives in these organisations neglect to understand and calculate the costs resulting from poor quality. A business can reduce deficiencies in key areas by means of cost reduction without eliminating product features, personnel, functions, and essential services. Cost reduction is necessary in many businesses for them to compete in the global marketplace. Cost reduction is a key principle driving the total quality concept of continuous improvement. (Source: Goetsch, D.L. 2016. Quality Management for Organizational Excellence: Introduction to total quality).
Requirements:
Various factors need to be taken into consideration when one quantifies the cost of poor quality. These include:
Traditional Costs.
Hidden Costs.
Critically discuss both the above costs, and strategies to reduce quality costs (such as cost leadership strategies).
Kindly use https://metsearch.cardiffmet.ac.uk/ (the school online library to access resources)
Use graphs, tables, diagrams, figures to supplement the discussion (add in the appendices).
Word count 1600 words +/-10% (this does not include the reference list)
Harvard style referencing to be used.
The 1600 word limit does not include the Reference List, and also excludes the Cover Page, Table of Contents, and any Appendices.
You need to provide a reference list at the end (not a bibliography)
You can use diagrams/figures/charts/graphs and tables (and the like), but they must be discussed and critiqued in the discussion
Approaching the assessment
What are the different Quality Costs?
Research quality costs – Traditional Costs and Hidden Costs.
Consider and research other possible quality costs.
Research the cost of poor quality.
Investigate strategies to reduce quality costs (such as cost leadership strategies).
Put together a report outlining what you have found.
Remember to ensure you explore and engage in the critical discussion.
Need to show you have researched the issue and engaged in critical discussion