Quality is never an accident. It is always the result of intelligent effort."
- John Ruskin
Low-quality products and services deter customers from making a purchase. As a result, it is essential for all businesses to develop and maintain quality standards and insights. Let's take a look at why quality is so important and how businesses can implement strategies to manage quality.
What is the importance of quality?
Quality is defined as constant conformity to the expectation of the customers in an organisation. Others define quality as excellence, absolute best, value, etc. When quality is defined in accordance with organisations, it is the organisation that has to survey and classify how quality is defined and perceived by their customers so that they can work towards meeting these expectations.
Nearly everyone would agree that the quality of a particular product/service is significant, however, not everyone has a similar impression of what forms high quality.
To certain people, the quality of a product is high if it’s lavish or long-lasting, while for others the ease of use is of more value.
Some of the tangibility measures are as follows:
Appearance: The look of the product is an important measure for fashion apparel.
Reliable: Machines will be of frequent use; therefore, reliability is required.
Durable: This is the long-lasting aspect of the product.
Functions: Smartphones are becoming more appealing with added functions and apps.
Maintenance requirements: A vehicle that needs fewer repairs and servicing can be viewed to be of good quality.
Some of the intangible measures include the following:
Brand image: Customers assess the quality of a product with the brand image of a company. Cadbury is considered a high-quality brand, although it has diversified away from its original products also.
Reputation: A company such as Apple, Inc. has developed a reputation for quality.
Importance of quality for a business
Meeting the expectations of the customers
Irrespective of the industry, customers will not choose a particular product merely based on the price, nonetheless often on quality. According to some studies, customers are willing to pay a higher price for a product or service if they consider it as a well-made product that surpasses the quality standards.
Gaining competitive advantage
Companies want to attain competitiveness with differentiation. This happens when there are distinctive qualities in a product that can not be imitated by rivals. A distinctive product can be patented in order to avoid other companies from replicating it for almost 20 years. This would mean that a company can sustain its competitive advantage for a long time.
Quality is crucial for the satisfaction of customers
If an organisation fails to meet the expectation of its customers, then it will look for replacements. Quality is essential to satisfy customers in order to retain their loyalty so that they will be willing to buy in the future as well. Quality products make a significant impact on revenues in the long run. Quality is what differentiates a company in a crammed market.
Apple can charge a higher price for its iPhone in comparison to its rivals in the industry. This is because it has developed a long history of delivering high-quality products.
Quality develops reputation
Quality signals on an organisation’s reputation. Nowadays, there is an increasing significance of social media which means that the customers can effortlessly share both positive and negative opinions on the quality of a product/service on different platforms. Therefore, a sound reputation for quality could be an essential factor that can differentiate an organisation in a market that is highly competitive.
Poor quality products/services can lead to negative publicity and can harm the reputation. If the organisation is constantly delivering what it has promised, then the customers will give positive and constructive views on social media. This will not only create awareness for the brand but will also make a wanted effect and they wouldn’t want to be missed out. The user on social networking sites who view an organisation’s strong reputation will desire to be part of the product/service being offered that will in turn increase sales.
Influence on sales volume
If a product matches the requirements of the customers, then the demand for that particular product will increase, hence allowing the company to boost its profit levels. As people become wealthier, their desire for good quality products also increases as they are not constricted by their income.
Quality helps in managing costs effectively
Poor quality products escalate costs. If an organisation does not have an efficient quality control system, they may have to bear costs to assess peculiar products in order to evaluate the main causes. They may have to get rid of faulty products and incur extra production costs for their replacement.
Greater productivity levels
When an organisation understands and follows the significance of quality in every aspect of its operations then there is an increase in the productivity of its employees. As they realize and comprehend that they are working on a product that is exceptional and high on quality.
Boosted brand value
Every brand wants a greater market share and a boosted brand value. It is through following and comprehending the significance of quality that will support an organisation make its brand value rise in comparison to its rivals in the industry
Reduced risk
The other facet that helps an organisation sustain its brand value is to diminish risks. Risks simply befall business operations when an organisation do not follow parameters of quality
Growth in revenues and profits
In current vigorous markets, there is ever-growing competition, it becomes challenging for an organisation to make anticipated revenues to meet their short and long-run goals. An organisation that follows quality management will have a greater level of satisfied customers, higher brand value, and market share.
What are the examples of Quality management?
Coca-Cola guarantees the finest quality product by applying widely approved and authentic manufacturing processes and systems. It measures the quality of its product as well as packaging to make sure that the products meet the requirements of the company and fulfil the consumers' expectations. Reliability and regularity are the two main components of the quality of products. These components are crucial in order to meet the organisation’s standards and regulatory prerequisites globally. The fact that Coca-Cola is a global product necessitates higher standards and processes to guarantee reliable products as well as quality from the initial production to the delivery of the product.
- The finalisation of the manufacturing plant site by Coca-Cola is only after the source water has been tested and verified for the requirement.
- The process of purifying sugar, carbon-dioxide preparation, sterilisation of bottles goes through quality control that ensures that the product meets the global standards and meets customers’ expectations.
What is the importance of quality control and quality assurance?
Quality control is necessary to develop a flourishing business that offers products that meet or surpass the expectations of customers. It also builds the foundation of an efficient organisation that lowers waste and functions at a higher level of productivity.
Quality assurance is a continuous effort to improve quality practices. It is a process-based practice and quality control on the other hand is a product-based process. Quality assurance is important because it ensures that the production process of a product aligns with the quality requirements and standards. The significance of quality assurance is that it ensures that the finished product fulfils the quality requirements.
What is the importance of quality standards?
Quality standards are developed to make sure that organisations fulfil the minimum requisites to become an essential part of any industry from food, automotive, clothes to healthcare.
In current times, the significance of quality has increased and organisations are trying to cope with it.
It helps to accomplish higher consistency in the offering of products and services
It lowers costly mistakes
It escalates efficiency through better utilization of time and resources
(Video) What is Quality? How important is it, really? Alok Kejriwal explains a fundamental concept!
What is the importance of quality culture?
Organisations that promote the development of quality culture generally undergo low employee turnover and employee disappointment, and higher successful regulatory assessments. Working with such organisations encourage employees on the lower level to be more involved in enhancing the processes they work with each day, therefore, increasing interest and enthusiasm, loyalty, and also dedication to quality.
Importance of Quality - Key takeaways
Quality makes sure that a high-class product/service is being produced.
Quality is important for customer satisfaction that ultimately results in customer loyalty.
Quality management assists an organisation to create and developing a product/service which is desired by the customers.
Quality establishes that higher revenues and productivity is achieved for the organisation.
Quality assists an organisation to diminish waste, costs, and risks.
Quality helps to boost reputation, brand value and meet the industry standards.
Quality control is a product-based process and quality assurance is a process-based process.
The importance of quality culture is that it lowers employee turnover and motivates employees at a lower level to improve their daily work.
Quality standards help organisations fulfil the minimum requisites to become a part of any industry.
(Video) Short: The importance of Quality
FAQs
Why quality is important Explain your answer? ›
Quality makes sure that a high-class product/service is being produced. Quality is important for customer satisfaction that ultimately results in customer loyalty. Quality management assists an organisation to create and developing a product/service which is desired by the customers.
What are the two reasons why quality is important? ›More consistent products and increased efficiency
Quality management helps companies improve their products' reliability, durability and performance. These factors help differentiate a business from its competitors. Better products equal happier customers and higher revenue.
Quality can be defined as conformance to specifications. The degree to which a product meets the design specifications offering a satisfaction factor that fulfils all the expectations that a customer wants.
What are the 5 ways of defining quality? ›Five major approaches to the definition of quality can be identified: (1) the transcendent approach of philosophy; (2) the product-based approach of economics; (3) the user-based approach of economics, marketing, and operations management; and (4) the manufacturing-based and (5) value-based approaches of operations ...
What is quality in your own words? ›Quality is how good something is. If the quality of a product is high then that means that it is fit for its purpose. If the quality of an item is low that means that the product may break easily or not work properly.
Why is quality the most important factor? ›Product quality is important because it affects the success of the company and helps establish its reputation in customer markets. When companies can create high-quality products that continue to meet customer demands, it can lead to fewer production costs, higher investment returns and increases in revenue.
What are the three views of quality? ›- The transcendental view;
- The user view;
- The manufacturing view;
- The product view; and.
- The value-based view.
Quality is Critical to Satisfied Customers
Quality is critical to satisfying your customers and retaining their loyalty so they continue to buy from you in the future. Quality products make an important contribution to long-term revenue and profitability. They also enable you to charge and maintain higher prices.
It has four main components: quality planning, quality assurance, quality control and quality improvement.
What are the 8 aspects of quality explain? ›Garvin proposes eight critical dimensions or categories of quality that can serve as a framework for strategic analysis: Performance, features, reliability, conformance, durability, serviceability, aesthetics, and perceived quality.
What are the 4 types of quality? ›
What are the four types of Quality Control? The four types of quality control are process control, control charts, acceptance sampling, and product quality control.
How do you answer what is quality? ›A degree of excellence. Conformance to requirements. Reliability comes from achieving quality standards. Quality is fulfilling the customers' purpose in a way that matters to them.
What is a good sentence for quality? ›The house has many fine qualities. His music has a primitive quality. They offer quality at a reasonable price. Adjective The restaurant offers quality service.
What is the best quality Meaning? ›adjective. surpassing in quality. synonyms: high-grade, top-grade best. (superlative of `good') having the most positive qualities.
What is the impact of quality? ›Quality affects a company in a variety of ways, from productivity and profitability to customer satisfaction and public perception. In addition, quality affects the overall operating costs of a company. Focusing on quality helps keep a company strong in all areas.
Why is total quality important? ›Importance of TQM
TQM's focus on quality helps identify skills deficiencies in employees, along with the necessary training, education or mentoring to address those deficiencies. With a focus on teamwork, TQM leads to the creation of cross-functional teams and knowledge sharing.
- Hold yourself to the highest standard. Quality work starts from commitment and determination to do the job to the best of your abilities. ...
- Walk the extra mile. ...
- Recognize mistakes and take corrective action. ...
- Work with your team. ...
- Stay focused and follow your schedule.
- Limit distractions. This is a tip many people know but rarely follow: limit your potential distractions. ...
- Set milestones. ...
- Set clear and achievable goals. ...
- Avoid multitasking. ...
- Improve your time management. ...
- Do important tasks first. ...
- Delegate tasks whenever possible. ...
- Clear your workspace.
- Stop Multitasking and Start Focusing. ...
- Set Goals and Personal Benchmarks. ...
- Determine Your Strengths and Weaknesses. ...
- Volunteer to Do More. ...
- Foster a Healthy Work-Life Balance. ...
- Practice Clear Communication.
- Failure or reject rates.
- Level of product returns.
- Customer complaints.
- Customer satisfaction – usually measured by a survey.
- Customer loyalty – evident from repeat purchases, or renewal rates.
What are the 7 key principles of quality? ›
- Engagement of people.
- Customer focus.
- Leadership.
- Process approach.
- Improvement.
- Evidence-based decision making.
- Relationship management.
- Product Quality. Products that fit customer needs and fulfill customer expectations. ...
- Service Quality. Services involve intangible elements of quality such as environments, customer service and customer experience. ...
- Experience Quality. ...
- IT Quality. ...
- Data Quality. ...
- Information Quality.
Quality work affords an individual the opportunity to save, to build the security and confidence that allows one to plan for the future, and to participate in the life of and see oneself as a valued member of a community.
What are the core components of quality? ›The Core Components of Quality Management
Quality Control – Consistent, meticulous actions designed to ensure a process's integrity. Quality Assurance – Planned activities executed to support a product or service in meeting specific requirements.
Quality standards are defined as documents that provide requirements, specifications, guidelines, or characteristics that can be used consistently to ensure that materials, products, processes, and services are fit for their purpose.
What are examples of quality standards? ›- the remaining ISO 9000 family, including ISO 9000 and ISO 9004.
- the ISO 14000 family for environmental management systems.
- ISO 13485 for medical devices.
- ISO 19011 for auditing management systems.
- ISO/TS 16949 for automotive-related products.
1. Reliability. Reliability focuses on how a product (or service) can be relied upon to perform consistently according to specifications and customer expectations. A product must be reliable for it to be continuously widely used.
What are the 3 main objectives of the quality program? ›In such a system, there are 3 main objectives of quality control: enhance product quality and reduce risks, gain production efficiencies, and garner customer loyalty. These 3 objectives will be evident in any manufacturer with a robust and functional quality control program.
What are the six characteristics of quality? ›- Accuracy.
- Validity.
- Reliability.
- Timeliness.
- Relevance.
- Completeness.
Quality improvement is the framework used to systematically improve care. Quality improvement seeks to standardize processes and structure to reduce variation, achieve predictable results, and improve outcomes for patients, healthcare systems, and organizations.
What are the 14 points of quality? ›
- Create a constant purpose toward improvement. Plan for quality in the long term. ...
- Adopt the new philosophy. ...
- Stop depending on inspections. ...
- Use a single supplier for any one item. ...
- Improve constantly and forever. ...
- Use training on the job. ...
- Implement leadership. ...
- Eliminate fear.
Three of the most important characteristics include being honest with yourself, being real, and being willing to change.
What are the most important quality? ›Foundational Human Qualities. Qualities that form the foundation of all other human qualities include honesty, integrity, courage, self-awareness, and wholeheartedness. These qualities define who we are as human beings.
What qualities make people great? ›- Leadership. Successful people are typically strong leaders. ...
- Self-confidence. Self-confidence is another trait that successful people often have. ...
- Aspiration. Another trait that contributes to success is aspiration. ...
- Drive. ...
- Patience. ...
- Discipline. ...
- Communication. ...
- Integrity.
When answering, mention what your top strengths are, provide examples on how you've used them in the past, and finally, describe the results you've gotten. Be super specific with your answers. Don't just say “I'm good at X” - really dive deep and give the interviewer a comprehensive answer.