Optimization Of The Product Design Through Quality Function Deployment And Analytical Hierarchy Process: A Case Study Of A Ceramic Washbasin

摘要

Quality Function deployment (QFD) is a useful method for optimizingproducts which can be applied during the design process as well as in thepostproduction process for further developments and revisions. This paperaims at examining the applicability of QFD and Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP) to incorporate customer expectations and design quality into theproduct through a case study on a ceramic washbasin (1). In the first phaseof the study customer needs and satisfaction are surveyed based on thecurrent product design. This data is then merged with a Voice of Engineer(VOE) chart where technical attributes and features corresponding to theitems in the Voice of Customer (VOC) are listed. By using the AnalyticHierarchy Process (AHP), the customer needs as well as technical attributesare quantified and prioritized. Quality characteristics are then obtained bythe calculation of customer weights according to the level of importance,which were then transformed into measurable technical attributes in theHouse of Quality (HOQ). Interrelations among customer requirements,technical attributes and planning blocks were put in a matrix in order toget precise evaluations. The findings of this study demonstrate that theapplication of QFD at an earlier period in the design phase can help toefficiently implement design remediation