Question

Quality guru
the following quality gurus and critically analyze his contribution to the field of quality management
 Kaoru Ishikawa

 Armand Feigenbaum

Please prepare a report (word limit: maximum 500 words):
 Provide a critical evaluation and synthesis of its accomplishes,
contribution and influence rather than repeating his / her resume.

Answer 1

Kaoru Ishikawa :

Kaoru Ishikawa best known for his contribution to quality control through fish bone diagram was the president of the Japanese society of quality control. He has been the author of many books and publications.

He suggested that quality control can always go one step further and needs constant reviewing and improvement, which was the basis of Ishikawa. Ishikawa also called the fish bone diagram analyses the cause and effect of and issue to get to the root cause.The fish bone diagram suggests that the root causes can be determined by analysing the following fields : People, method/process, machines/equipment, materials, measurements and the environment.These major categories can change based on the process. The diagram provides quality improvement by the 'bottom-up' approach.

The importance of his finding can be established from the fact that it was used as early as World War II to teach quality control by one of his colleagues. Another very important contribution was that Ishikawa showed the importance of seven quality tools: control chart, run chart, histogram, scatter diagram, pareto chart and flowchart. His contribution to the quality control world doesn't stop here. He also explored the concept of quality circles. He believed that it would take firm commitment for the entire hierarchy to reach potential of success.

He also drew and developed based on the principles of other quality gurus. He wanted the developments to fulfill consumer needs. His contribution to the world of quality has been huge.

Armand Feigenbaum:

Armand Feigenbaum is the developer of the Total quality control concept. TQM is an effective system of integrating quality development, maintenance and improvement so that the production and services satisfy consumers.According to his findings TQM must be present at all stages of production/manufacturing. This includes design, manufacturing, quality checks, sales and post-sales.

He also suggested that many firms should consider quality tools only for a small percentage of their entire quality control program instead of using solely these tools to improve quality. Feigenbaum's quality control was more management based. He also suggested quality control as a continuous improvement, where the programs have the potential to include all employees as the firm grows.

Armand Feigenbaum also introduced the concept of the "Hidden Plant" which meant that reviewing the products or correcting mistakes take up so much of the firm time that the work is equivalent to having a hidden plant within each firm. Dr Feigenbaum also came up with a figure, a good 40% of the capacity of the plant is wasted. So he stressed the importance of getting it right the first time.His philosophy of the three steps to quality are a crucial work in the world of total quality management. These qualities were quality leadership, management quality leadership and organisational commitment.In his words "The underlying principle of the total quality view and its basic difference from all other concepts is that it provides effectiveness."

He was awarded many awards for his contribution to the world of quality and management. His work is recognized globally and makes him an indistinguishable figure in the world of Total quality management.