Quality Indicators

Quality Indicators are features of a product or service that can be measured at certain points in their production. They are applied at Critical Control Points.

The data collected is compared with the product’s Specification to quantify the product’s quality and to find out if there are any problems occurring or could occur in the future.

The easiest Quality Indicators to check are the product’s physical characteristics such as size, weight. Theses can be accurately measured to see if they are within the Tolerances set out in the Specification.

Inspection Methods used are Mechanical, Electrical, Electronic, Chemical, X-ray, etc.

Some Quality Indicators have to be made by the expert judgement of a QC Inspector. Such as Appearance, Smell, etc.

Quality Indicators have nothing to do with the actual sizes, what the product does, or the words written down. It is all about the repeatability of the Quality of the product or service.

Physical

Length, Width, Height/depth and Thickness; Position of critical features; Flat, Round, Parallel and Trueness; Angles; Area and Volume; Pressure; Balance

The overall dimensions of a product may not be too important, but is vital to check dimensions where components are going to be assembled together. Typical example is the alignment of holes and dowels. Timber must be checked for bending, warping and cupping. Long rods or strips must be checked along their length. Anything that is rotated must be checked for balance as it could vibrate.

Senses

Touch, Smell, Taste, Sound and Appearance.

Quality Indicators that deal with the senses are often open to interpretation by the consumer. This means that they are very difficult to check objectively. It is very important to set out clear standards in the specification. This information could be supplied to the customer before purchasing to avoid disputes.

Customers get very annoyed when they open the packaging only to find the product is a different colour to that on the box. Knots and grain on timber products have always been a point of dispute. You only have to listen to adverts trying to explain the smell of something to see the difficulties.

Function

This Quality Indicator checks to see if the product or Service operates in the way stated in the Specification.

Checks to see if the On/Off button works easily. The drawer slides open smoothly. All the leaflets are inserted in the folder. The website is accessible.