We have categorized 4 documents as Quality Function Deployment. All documents are displayed on this page.

Shortly after Quality Function Deployment (QFD) was invented in Japan in the late 1960s, Robert S. Kaplan, Harvard Business School Professor, quipped, "If you can't measure it, you can't manage it." It is clear that Kaplan understood the role of QFD in disruptive and fast-paced business ecosystems. QFD is a systematic process for translating customer expectations into specific plans and processes to meet those expectations. Given the pace at which customer needs and technology are changing, Fortune 500 C-level executives should prioritize QFD to stay ahead.Learn more about Quality Function Deployment.

Did you know?
The average daily rate of a McKinsey consultant is $6,625 (not including expenses). The average price of a Flevy document is $65.


Trusted by over 10,000+ Client Organizations
Since 2012, we have provided best practices to over 10,000 businesses and organizations of all sizes, from startups and small businesses to the Fortune 100, in over 130 countries.
AT&T GE Cisco Intel IBM Coke Dell Toyota HP Nike Samsung Microsoft Astrazeneca JP Morgan KPMG Walgreens Walmart 3M Kaiser Oracle SAP Google E&Y Volvo Bosch Merck Fedex Shell Amgen Eli Lilly Roche AIG Abbott Amazon PwC T-Mobile Broadcom Bayer Pearson Titleist ConEd Pfizer NTT Data Schwab




Read Customer Testimonials

  •  
    "I have used Flevy services for a number of years and have never, ever been disappointed. As a matter of fact, David and his team continue, time after time, to impress me with their willingness to assist and in the real sense of the word. I have concluded in fact "

    – Roberto Pelliccia, Senior Executive in International Hospitality
  •  
    "As a niche strategic consulting firm, Flevy and FlevyPro frameworks and documents are an on-going reference to help us structure our findings and recommendations to our clients as well as improve their clarity, strength, and visual power. For us, it is an invaluable resource to increase our impact and value."

    – David Coloma, Consulting Area Manager at Cynertia Consulting
  •  
    "As an Independent Management Consultant, I find Flevy to add great value as a source of best practices, templates and information on new trends. Flevy has matured and the quality and quantity of the library is excellent. Lastly the price charged is reasonable, creating a win-win value for "

    – Jim Schoen, Principal at FRC Group
  •  
    "As a young consulting firm, requests for input from clients vary and it's sometimes impossible to provide expert solutions across a broad spectrum of requirements. That was before I discovered Flevy.com.

    Through subscription to this invaluable site of a plethora of topics that are key and crucial to consulting, I "

    – Nishi Singh, Strategist and MD at NSP Consultants
  •  
    "I have found Flevy to be an amazing resource and library of useful presentations for lean sigma, change management and so many other topics. This has reduced the time I need to spend on preparing for my performance consultation. The library is easily accessible and updates are regularly provided. A wealth of great information."

    – Cynthia Howard RN, PhD, Executive Coach at Ei Leadership
  •  
    "If you are looking for great resources to save time with your business presentations, Flevy is truly a value-added resource. Flevy has done all the work for you and we will continue to utilize Flevy as a source to extract up-to-date information and data for our virtual and onsite presentations!"

    – Debbi Saffo, President at The NiKhar Group
  •  
    "One of the great discoveries that I have made for my business is the Flevy library of training materials.

    As a Lean Transformation Expert, I am always making presentations to clients on a variety of topics: Training, Transformation, Total Productive Maintenance, Culture, Coaching, Tools, Leadership Behavior, etc. Flevy "

    – Ed Kemmerling, Senior Lean Transformation Expert at PMG
  •  
    "The wide selection of frameworks is very useful to me as an independent consultant. In fact, it rivals what I had at my disposal at Big 4 Consulting firms in terms of efficacy and organization."

    – Julia T., Consulting Firm Owner (Former Manager at Deloitte and Capgemini)



Flevy Management Insights: Quality Function Deployment

Shortly after Quality Function Deployment (QFD) was invented in Japan in the late 1960s, Robert S. Kaplan, Harvard Business School Professor, quipped, "If you can't measure it, you can't manage it." It is clear that Kaplan understood the role of QFD in disruptive and fast-paced business ecosystems. QFD is a systematic process for translating customer expectations into specific plans and processes to meet those expectations. Given the pace at which customer needs and technology are changing, Fortune 500 C-level executives should prioritize QFD to stay ahead.

Failure to adequately understand customers' voices leads to lost opportunities and competitive disadvantage—a fact underscored by a McKinsey survey, showing that companies in the top quartile for customer experience have a return on investment that is 77% above those in the bottom quartile. QFD can address this by methodically transforming customer needs into products, services, and operational parameters that align with those needs.

For effective implementation, take a look at these Quality Function Deployment best practices:

Explore related management topics: Customer Experience Return on Investment

QFD Process and Applications

At its heart, the QFD process utilizes a "House of Quality"—a structured framework for capturing the voice of the customer, translating it into technical requirements, and prioritizing these requirements strategically. QFD encompasses four phases: Product Planning, Part Deployment, Process Planning, and Process Control—a systematic approach that echoes Kaplan's mantra of measure and manage. QFD has found broad applications across industries, from automobile manufacturing to software development and healthcare.

Explore related management topics: Voice of the Customer Manufacturing Healthcare

Insights and Best Practices for Implementing QFD

Here are some unique insights and best practices for C-level executives when implementing QFD in their strategic management:

  1. Embed QFD in Strategic Planning: An Accenture study confirmed that businesses with tightly aligned strategic and execution processes outperformed their peers by 36% in terms of revenue and 40% in terms of profit. Integrating QFD into your Strategic Planning process can align your organization's objectives with customer-centric requirements and solutions.
  2. Embrace Cultural Shifts: For QFD to be successful, there must be a Culture of quality and customer orientation throughout the organization. This shift in Culture necessitates a top-down approach, where C-level executives lead by example.
  3. Involve Cross-Functional Teams: QFD requires a comprehensive perspective on customer needs, therefore, it's essential to involve multi-disciplinary teams in the QFD process for a richer understanding of customer expectations and technically feasible solutions.
  4. Leverage Technology: In our digital age, AI, Big Data, and Analytical Tools can provide detailed insights into customer behaviors, sentiments, and desires. Successful implementation of QFD involves leveraging advanced technology to analyze intricate data and draw meaningful conclusions.
  5. Iterate and evolve: QFD is not a one-time activity. It's an iterative process that evolves with changing market trends, customer expectations, and internal capabilities. Regular re-evaluations and adaptations of the QFD framework should be part of your Change Management plan.

Explore related management topics: Change Management Strategic Planning Big Data Best Practices

Benchmarking Business Performance with QFD

Performance Management is critical for businesses, and QFD can play a pivotal role here. QFD facilitates benchmarking against competitors and market leaders, identifying gaps, and formulating strategic change initiatives. As per a Boston Consulting Group survey, companies using rigorous Performance Management approaches had an average annual Total Shareholder Return (TSR) 30% higher than their less-disciplined peers.

In summary, C-level executives aiming for heightened Operational Excellence should leverage QFD as a powerful tool in their Strategic Management toolbox. By doing so, they can ensure they create Value for their customers and stakeholders in line with Kaplan's advice: measure it to manage it.

Explore related management topics: Operational Excellence Performance Management Benchmarking

Quality Function Deployment FAQs

Here are our top-ranked questions that relate to Quality Function Deployment.

How is the rise of AI and machine learning technologies transforming the QFD process in understanding and predicting customer needs?
AI and ML are revolutionizing the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) process by enabling deeper insights into customer needs through data analysis, improving product design and development with predictive modeling, and facilitating personalized product features. [Read full explanation]
What are the common pitfalls in implementing QFD across different organizational cultures, and how can they be avoided?
Implementing QFD successfully involves respecting organizational cultural differences, providing comprehensive training and education, and aligning initiatives with Strategic Goals to avoid common pitfalls. [Read full explanation]
What role does artificial intelligence play in optimizing the QFD process for better customer insight and product innovation?
Artificial Intelligence significantly transforms the Quality Function Deployment process by enabling deeper customer insights and streamlining product innovation through data-driven analysis, efficiency in development, and enhanced market responsiveness. [Read full explanation]
How does QFD facilitate the alignment between sustainability goals and customer satisfaction?
QFD aligns sustainability goals with customer satisfaction by incorporating the Voice of the Customer into product development, ensuring products meet sustainability and quality expectations. [Read full explanation]

Recommended Documents

Related Case Studies

Quality Function Deployment Enhancement for a Global Tech Firm

Scenario: A global technology firm is struggling with inefficiencies in its Quality Function Deployment (QFD) process.

Read Full Case Study

Quality Function Deployment Enhancement for Luxury Fashion Brand

Scenario: The company is a luxury fashion brand facing challenges in aligning their product development with customer needs and expectations.

Read Full Case Study

Quality Function Deployment in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Scenario: A pharmaceutical firm in the life sciences sector is facing challenges in aligning product development with customer needs and regulatory requirements.

Read Full Case Study

Quality Function Deployment for D2C Fitness Apparel Brand

Scenario: The company is a direct-to-consumer fitness apparel brand facing challenges in aligning its product development processes with customer needs.

Read Full Case Study

Quality Function Deployment Initiative for Aerospace Manufacturer in North America

Scenario: A leading aerospace firm in North America is facing challenges in aligning its product development processes with customer expectations.

Read Full Case Study

Quality Function Deployment in Maritime Services for Global Trade

Scenario: The organization, a global maritime services provider, is struggling with Quality Function Deployment amidst a rapidly changing international trade landscape.

Read Full Case Study

Explore all Flevy Management Case Studies




Flevy is the world's largest knowledge base of best practices.


Leverage the Experience of Experts.

Find documents of the same caliber as those used by top-tier consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, Accenture.

Download Immediately and Use.

Our PowerPoint presentations, Excel workbooks, and Word documents are completely customizable, including rebrandable.

Save Time, Effort, and Money.

Save yourself and your employees countless hours. Use that time to work on more value-added and fulfilling activities.



Receive our FREE presentation on Operational Excellence

This 50-slide presentation provides a high-level introduction to the 4 Building Blocks of Operational Excellence. Achieving OpEx requires the implementation of a Business Execution System that integrates these 4 building blocks.