Quality Control (QC): Definition,

Importance and Tools of Quality

Control
Definition:
Quality is a relative concept. It is related to certain predetermined
characteristics such as shape, dimensions, composition, finish, colour,
weight, etc.

In simple words, quality is the performance of the product as per the

commitment made by the producer to the consumer. J. M. Juran
(1970) who is considered the father of quality research has defined
quality as “the performance of the product as per the commitment
made by the producer to the consumer.”

There are two main elements in this definition of quality. First, the
commitment may be explicit such as a written contract or it may be
implied in terms of the expectations of the average consumer of the
product. Second, the performance of the product relates to the
ultimate functions and services which the final product must give to
the final consumer.

For example, a watch should show accurate time or a ball point pen
should write legibly on a piece of paper. According to ISO 8402:
Quality Vocabulary, quality is the “The totality of features and
characteristics of a product or service that on its ability to satisfy
stated or implied needs.”

ADVERTISEMENTS:

In practice, when we say any product as a quality product, it means the

product satisfies certain criteria for its functioning. For a quality
product, it is necessary that it should satisfy the laid down criteria not
only at the time of its manufacture, but also over a reasonable length
of time. In India, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) lays down certain
criteria for a number of products both – industrial and domestic.

Quality control is also a strategic decision. It can be defined as the

systematic control of those variables which are encountered in the
manufacturing process and which adversely affect the excellence of the
final product in one way or other.

Alfort and Beaty defined quality control as:

“Quality control is the mechanism by which products are made to
measure up to the specifications determined from the customer’s
demands and transform into sales, engineering and manufacturing
requirements. It is concerned with making things right rather than
discovering and rejecting those made wrong. Quality control is a
technique by means of which products of uniform acceptable quality
are manufactured.”

Importance:
Quality control of products bears distinct advantages for all – whether
producers or consumers.
ADVERTISEMENTS:

Some of the important advantages to quality control are as

follows:
1. The brand products build up goodwill or image which ultimately
increases sales.

2. It helps the manufacturers/ entrepreneurs in fixing responsibility of

workers in the production process.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

3. Quality control also helps in minimizing the costs by increasing

efficiency, standardization, working conditions, etc.

4. It also enables the entrepreneur to know the cost of his / her

product quite in advance which helps him in determining competitive
prices of his product.

5. Last but not the least; the entrepreneur can confirm whether the
product manufactured by him / her is in accordance with the standard
set by the Government. It further facilitates the entrepreneur to take
necessary actions to comply with the standard set.

Methods or Tools of Quality Control:

Any variations in the quality of a product, i.e., standards set are mainly
caused by variations in raw material, men, machines, methods, and
procedures of procedures of production and inspection. In order to
produce the quality products, these variations need to be checked and
controlled. There are mainly two methods of quality control.
ADVERTISEMENTS:

These are:
1. Inspection:
Inspection, in fact, is the common method used for quality control
purposes not only in production but also in services.

As regards inspection in production, there are three

important aspects involved in it:
(i) Product Inspection:
ADVERTISEMENTS:

As the name itself suggests, the product inspection relates to the final
product sent into the market. The main purpose of product inspection
is to ensure that the products sent into the market comply with the set
standard for quality. In other words, it is to ensure that the product
ready for sale is perfect and free of defects.

(ii) Process Inspection:

Process inspection proceeds to product inspection. It is aimed at
ensuring that the raw material and machines and equipment’s used in
the production process are of prescribed quality and mark.

Process inspection benefits the unit in two ways:

(1) It ensures the manufacturing of a quality product.

(2) It saves wastages of material by preventing process bottlenecks.

(iii) Inspection Analysis:

This is a method based on the analyses of inspections made. The
conclusions derived from the inspection analyses help the
entrepreneur locate the exact points in manufacturing process where
faults lie. In other words, it enables the entrepreneur to identify the
points at which deviations from standard set start. Quality control
through Inspection Method is shown in the following Figure 27.3.

2. Statistical Quality Control:

It is an advanced method or technique used to control the quality of a
product. This method is based on statistical techniques to determine
and control the quality. Sampling, probability, and other statistical
inferences are used in this method for controlling the quality of a
product. It is widely used in process control in continuous process
industries and in industries producing goods on a mass scale.

Under this method, the entire lot is, firstly, sampled on the
basis of its specific characteristics and, then, is divided into
three parts as mentioned below:
(i) Analysis of Samples

(ii) Use of Control Charts

(iii) Corrective Measures.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

A brief description about each of these follows:

(i) Analysis of Samples:
This is based on sampling techniques. First of all, the universe i.e., the
population to be analysed, is identified. After this, following the
sampling technique, the sample representing the whole population is
selected and analysed.

It is important that we do not need to analyse all the units of the

population, but only a few units called ‘sample units’ are studied and
analysed. The result drawn from these sample units are then
generalized as a whole. In other words, inspection of samples means
statistical inspection of the whole manufactured lot.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

(ii) Use of Control Chart:

Realizing that figures/ charts are always welcome to depict the fact of
findings, the results obtained from analysis of samples are presented
in a chart.

The method to draw a chart is as follows:

(i) Measure the quality characteristics of sample selected.

(ii) Find out the mean of the sample and also measure its range of
dispersion.

(iii) Then, data regarding mean and dispersion are gathered.

(iv) Take a graph paper and plot the gathered data on it.

Thus, you have a control chart ready to guide you about the quality
deviation of your product.

The shape of the control chart so plotted will be like as

follows:

(iii) Corrective Measures:

Having drawn quality control chart, the entrepreneur can easily and
clearly locate the points of deviations and causes of it. This enables
him to evolve corrective measures to control the quality of the product
accordingly. For example, if variation in quality is caused by inferior
quality raw material, the quality of raw material will be increased.
Similarly, in case of traditional machinery, new and modem
machinery will be installed.

Quality Control in Small-Scale Industries:

Although quality control is necessary for all units, yet it is more
necessary for small-scale units. This is because of the great use of
manpower in small-scale industries during the manufacturing
processes. But, the application of quality control is difficult in them
because of several limitations like financial, technical and managerial.
Quality implementation is total organizational effort.
The successful implementation of quality control largely depends upon
the quality of raw materials, selection of machinery and equipment,
designing, manufacturing, processes, etc. Besides, the timely and
required assistance from the Government organizations, associations,
and institutes also contribute to successful implementation of quality
control. In India, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has been doing a
yeoman job in determining the quality of a large number of products
by laying down various criteria for them.

The quality control in small-scale industries is generally

based on:
(a) Indian Standards specification.

(b) Quality marketing schemes.

(c) Company Standards in case of ancillary units.

(d) Any other standard specification prescribed by the Government or

other purchasing agencies.

The Indian Standards Specifications have been playing an important

role in persuading small-scale industries to adhere to the quality of
their products.

For controlling quality of products manufactured by small

units, the following Indian Standards have been published
so far:
(a) Methods of statistical quality control during the production period.
(b) Manual on basic principles of lot sampling; and

(c) Sampling inspection table.

Several State Governments have been operating quality marketing

schemes and standards for various products of small-scale industries.
When the small units manufacture their products according to the
standards set, the Quality Marketing Centers of the Government
stamp the “Q” mark on their products. This is an assurance for the
customers that the product has been manufactured adhering to certain
quality standards.

Quality Control of Export Production:

Implementation of quality control has been very useful in raising
exports from an economy. A product can be sold in foreign markets
only when it is not only cheaper but up to a certain quality also.
Standardization of these products convinces the foreign customers
better than any sales campaign.

Realising this fact, the Government of India has made the inspection
of several products manufactured by small-scale industries
compulsory before they are shipped abroad. This has proved very
beneficial for the Indian exporters to sell their products in highly
competitive foreign markets.

Cost of Quality Control:

Lastly, let us also address to an important aspect of quality control,
i.e., cost involved in ensuring quality products. In fact, it is difficult, if
not impossible, to precisely define cost incurred in quality assurance
due to so many imponderables involved. But there is no denying of the
fact that it should be a minor proportion of the total product cost
incurred. How much minimum should be the proportion of quality
cost to total cost depends upon various factors?

Some of the important ones are:

(a) Type of product, its functional use and hazards involved in its use.

(b) The degree of quality awareness prevailing in the enterprise by

implementation of the concepts like Total Quality Management (TQM)
and Quality Control (QC).

(c) Lastly, additional costs to be incurred for ensuring higher quality

standards. It must be kept in mind that there is no optimum value
between quality and product cost.

One last word before we leave our discussion on quality control.

Quality control in the Indian small-scale industry has been
satisfactory. Eugene Staley’s observation in this regard aptly supports
our statement. He observes: “A surviving unit in India is a strategic
planner and makes its grade anywhere in the world, because his
survival here against all odds is by itself the best testimony.”