Dear expert,
May I know the difference between zero defect and zero defection?
Many thanks in advance.
Omar.

I've never heard of "zero defection". Do you mean "zero defectives"?

I'm in agreement with Marc. I am not familiar with the term zero defection.

We have had some rather good discussions on the difference between zero defectives and zero nonconformities. You will find some links at the bottom of the page that might be helpful.

The idea that a supplier is going to provide zero nonconformities is really wishful thinking in a non-reality world. Zero defects however is achievable in the real world. The difference is subtle but easily explainable.

Let's say you are asked to make three white cars. You make one red. That is a nonconformance because it doesn't meet the requirements. It is not a defect though because the car is in perfect, usable condition.

In our business, we coat a specific number of threads on a fastener. Let's say the spec is 3 to 5 threads. If we coat 5 1/8 threads, it is "out-of-spec" and a nonconformance. The part is not a defect though and may perform better than the ones in spec.

I think most suppliers could meet a "Zero Defects" requirement if it weren't being mis-interpreted as meaning "Zero Nonconformance".

It frustrates me when I see a requirement of "Zero Defects" and on the next page they require a Cpk of 1.67 minimum. 1.67 is equal to a 4 sigma process which, with a 1.5 sigma swing, is expected to produce over 6,000 parts per million fallout.

Anyway, that probably didn't answer your question but I had fun climbing up on the soapbox.

Dave

I've never heard of "zero defection". Do you mean "zero defectives"?

kindlt , go through the link below.
http://doi.contentdirections.com/mr/hbsp.jsp?doi=10.1225/90508
thanks.

The term appears to be related to customer retention.

From Staying power - controlling customer defections (http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DTI/is_n7_v25/ai_20802723)

"....So instead of focusing on the dangers of defective products, .... consider the impact of defecting customers........."