Alternatives to the Title of 'QUALITY'

Hi all,
I'm searching in vain for an alternative title for QUALITY. I'm currently driving a major systems review and would like to launch with a new name.

Any suggestions?

[Geoff Cotton]

I've been thinking the same way. Rather than use the term 'Quality Engineering' the term 'Productivity Engineering' comes to my mind.

Production engineering seems to be after the planning and design stages, Inspection is after the manufacturing stage (when its too late). I see Productivity Engineering taking a more global view of the total process including admin, manufacturing, aftersales service etc.

Productivity = Qua£ity and is about having robust products and process, it is about keeping cost down and removing waste from the organisation as a whole. Productivity, Quality, lean manufacturing, mistake proofing and all the other good stuff we use these days has to be planned in, it has to be engineered up front to enable manufacturing to produce a good product from day one and totally satisfy our customers every time.

Traditionally the quality department was/is seen as inspection (thankfully I work for a more forward thinking company i.e no inspection department etc). I too think its time for a change, the word Quality is too narrow and blinkered by the past. But the only word I keep coming back to to create any redirection and fresh thinking is 'productivity' .

Are there any other words out there????

Geoff

[Jim Biz]

"Satisfaction Engineering"?

We are using "Organizational Effectiveness" as are a number of other organizations here in NC

"Performance analysis"

[Kevin Mader]

Thinking outloud here, so bear with me:

The Customer defines Quality in all its forms. The ability to meet and exceed customer expectations and delivering the expected level of satisfaction. It is different everytime and in constant evolution. Comes down to the 'value' perceived. Value is traditionally determined by the ratio of Quality over Price. We strive to deliver high value products and services. We have Value Systems, if you will, producing valued products and services. In short, we deliver value to the Customer.

Now I'm not sure a Value System is any better than the traditional named Quality System. Semantics I suppose. It is, afterall, the same system. Quality has been renamed many times and it probably will continue this way. I don't see the advantage, but if folks don't like the Q word, then pick one from the postings above.

On Productivity I have this: Productivity is driven by Quality. So perhaps calling it a Productivity System wouldn't be my best choice. Just a thought.

Regards,

Kevin

[Andy Bassett]

I like the thinking so far on this thread. I would also love to do away with the word quality and the restrictions it automatcially creates.

But Ramon why exactly are you looking for a new word? Do you wish to replace the word quality in all discussions or just, for a title for a handbook.

For example i never talk about QMS's, i always talk about Business Management Systems, as this implies something a little wider and may sound a little more relevant to people outside the Quality World.

I like the suggestion about 'Productivity'. Whatever the correct translation, many people are starting to understand the importance of productivity to their company, their country and therefore to their own future.

Sounds good to me.

Regards



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Andy B

I'm looking for a term that articulates the core propositions of what our company stands for. This includes our vision, values and the policies established to support them. It should also be able to be used in everyday references to 'the system'.

So far the only one I've come across is 'excellence' although I'm far from convinced.

Regards

Ramon