posted 26 September 2000 06:25 AM               

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

posted 26 September 2000 12:58 PM               

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,

posted 27 September 2000 06:17 AM               

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

posted 27 September 2000 06:50 PM            

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

Regards

posted 27 September 2000 10:10 PM               

When Kodak realised they couldn't be world class, they developed "Kodak Class" and the vision of the values that entailed.

So my suggestions are:
1. "(your company name) Class"
2. Acronyms like "Technical And Manufacturing Professional Operating Network (TAMPON)".
Or, "Business Improvement Guidelines & Baseline Reporting Operations (BIG BRO)".
Or, "Professional Management System (PMS)".
This gives a feeling of familiarity, like a nick-name of a friend.

TQM was reborn as Total Customer Service, and other iterations, so anything is possible!

posted 23 October 2000 09:10 AM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ramon:
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?

---

How about ... BUSINESS LEADERSHIP

After all, the ultimate reponsibility for everything to do with the quality of products and services does lie with management ... and this is particularly true with the system of production.

posted 23 October 2000 12:29 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ramon:
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

---

When I read this, I connect it with WED's question of: "What is your AIM?".

I must admit that attaching a single word or two to convey all that needs to be considered is a difficult one. Additionally, I am not sure how important it is either. However, it is the 'essence' of the AIM that is important. How is the AIM communicated? How is it achieved?

I think it might be conveyed in many ways, through words or actions. Can folks in the organization relate with it? Hopefully so. And no matter what the name, if it is the right thing and people understand it, it will promote itself.

Not to say that this is the case, but I recognize in industry today the need to reinvent the wheel and call it something different. Nothing wrong with that I suppose, but it seems to me to be a useless way of spending resources. One thing to consider: Profound knowledge comes from the outside. Will any of us ever come up with a profound statement or word? Probably not. But we should continue to try! I hope someone comes up with a terrific label by the way, but I wont be upset if nobody does.

Regards,

Kevin