DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

QFD: Quality Function Deployment

 

What is it? (Source: Wikipedia)

Developed by Dr. Yoji Akao in 1966, it is a "method to transform user demands into design quality, to deploy the functions forming quality, and to deploy methods for achieving the design quality into subsystems and component parts, and ultimately to specific elements of the manufacturing process." It is a combination of quality assurance and quality control points with function deployment used in value engineering.

 

Design Constraints / Customer Needs

As a "project that matters", a predetermined issue that underdeveloped countries endure, Engineering World Health (EWH) provided the constraint that this blood pressure assist device must be non-electronic. Other constraints of this device are intuitive from the environment where this device will be used. As EWH services a large region and population, these environments will have extreme climate differences (durability). Furthermore, as a product intended to serve nations of high poverty, additional considerations must be made with respect to the price (affordability) and the ease of transportation (portability). Lastly, with respect to the device itself, our intention is to provide an accurate (accurate biosignal measurement) and safe reading (safety) for the patient.

 

Our QFD ranked "Operating Conditions" as the highest design priority, with visual display accuracy and pressure range both coming in second priority.

 

 

 

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.