The definition of product quality may be rather wide as it is a nebulous concept. It may be regarded as the overall or specific aggregate value of satisfaction of the functions and characteristics of a product. The quality of a product is usually relative. There is no standard measure though rules are in place to ensure minimum quality standards are complied with by manufacturers.
Product quality may be viewed in three different perspectives:
Customer: Product quality to a buyer will refer to its appeal, functionality, durability, and reliability of a product.
Manufacturer: Quality will be viewed as engineering, the type of raw materials used and packaging practices used in the production of a specific good.
Product: This is more of an objective test of a product’s durability and reliability.
Product quality is very important for the company. Maintenance of high-quality products secures a high level of demand and patronage by end users while poor quality products affect the consumer’s confidence, reputation, and sales of the company. The focus is on product quality, pre-production, during and post-production.
It is needless to say that it is essential for every company to ensure better quality products to their consumers who pay for them and expect to receive the best-quality products. If this satisfaction is not met, competing products may be opted for.
Characteristics of product quality
Fitness for use
Features that meet consumer needs and give customer satisfaction
Freedom from deficiencies or defects
Conformance to standards
Value or worthiness for money
Reliable and dependable
Quality of design
Quality conformance to needs and regulations
Proper storage
Safety
Factors affecting product quality
Use of production technology
Skill set, tools, and experience of labor
Availability of needed raw materials
Storage facilities
Carriage or transport facility.
Components of product quality
Quality planning: Repeated efforts to discover defects and reveal the causes.
Quality control: Controlling production, carrying out repairs and warranty costs through defect discovery and maintenance.
Quality assurance: Effective tracking of problem reports and customer complaints in an effort to resolve the queries in a timely fashion.
Quality improvement: This involves public relations and interaction with other enterprise customer management systems and integration with other enterprises for recognizing customer complaints reports.