The process of gathering data about what customers need and ensuring that desired features are included in the design and initial planning phase of a new product or service is known as:
Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is a systematic process for gathering customer requirements and ensuring they are incorporated into the design and planning of a new product or service. Here's how it works:
Customer Voice: QFD begins with collecting and understanding customer needs and expectations, often referred to as the "voice of the customer."
House of Quality: These needs are translated into design requirements through a tool called the House of Quality, which helps prioritize features based on customer importance.
Cross-Functional Teams: QFD involves cross-functional teams to ensure that all relevant perspectives (e.g., marketing, engineering, manufacturing) are considered in the design process.
Integration: The process ensures that customer needs are systematically integrated into product design, reducing the risk of missing key features or quality attributes.
QFD is thus a comprehensive approach to ensuring that customer needs are central to product development from the outset.
References:
Akao, Y. (1990). Quality Function Deployment: Integrating Customer Requirements into Product Design. Productivity Press.
Cohen, L. (1995). Quality Function Deployment: How to Make QFD Work for You. Addison-Wesley.
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