TIM HW5

Plan:

Day	Plan/Tasks	Execution
Friday, Oct 27
Sunday, Oct 28	Go over readings	Read
Monday, Oct 29	Problem 1	Start 1
Tuesday, Oct 30	Redo HW 4	Done Finish 3 with group
Wednesday, Oct 31	Problem 2, Group Work	Start 2
Thursday, Nov 1	Finish all problems	Completed 1, 2, 3

Problem 1: Specialized Bicycle Company (SBC): Read the case study in the U&E, PD&D text in order to understand how QFD/HOQ is applied in a technology company. Provide at least three main reasons, with supporting evidence, why SBC developed the HOQ. Describe one way that SBC used the HOQ.

1. Define

a. In this problem we are being asked to read the case studies in the U&E, PD&D text in order to understand how QFD/HOQ is applied in a technology company. Then we are prompted to answer some questions.

2. Plan

a. Read the texts

b. Understand how QFD/HOQ is applied

c. Provide 3 main reasons with evidence as to why SBC developed the HOQ.

d. Describe a way that SBC used the HOQ.

3. Execute

a. Read the texts

b. Understand how QFD/HOQ is applied

i. QFD and HOQ can be applied in a technology company to determine the relationship between customer needs and technical metrics. The performance in comparison with the metric is used to influence the degree to which a customer is satisfied with the product, and meets its needs. Included in the metrics are complete, dependent, and practical variables, along with comparisons of other products. Metrics should be dependent variables because they specify the overall performance of a product.

c. Provide 3 main reasons with evidence as to why SBC developed the HOQ.

i. The first main reason as to why SBC developed the HOQ is due to target specifications. By having the ability to have a target audience and find the exact customer needs, they are able to create a refined concept and eventually create a product to satisfy all customer needs. There are able to define metrics, collect all information, and have a focused goal. This creates a great product for customers.

ii. The second main reason HOQ was developed was the represent the relationship between metrics and needs. Rows are customer needs and columns are the metrics. Metrics include precise and measurable characteristics. Metrics also how well products are satisfying the needs of the customers wants and needs. The goal at the end is to have only one metric per a need.

iii. The third main reason HOQ is used is for comparison. Comparing new products or in the works products with existing ones helps these new products succeed. No product has ever succeeded with just repetition of what has worked in the past. The goal is the make it better and satisfy more customer needs. HOQ helps sort through this information into a readable and doable chart.

d. Describe a way that SBC used the HOQ.

i. SBC used the HOQ to help analyze product specifications and customer needs. The HOQ helped narrow down what was important and what they wanted in their product that not only satisfied customers but they also made them different from their competitors.

4. Check/Learn/Draw Conclusions

a. This problem helped me understand the HOQ process and how it is used in the real world. The HOQ is applied and has a positive impact on the product and company.

Problem 2: Quality Function Deployment: Develop a “house of quality” for two of the following products: The “perfect” (humane) mousetrap, CD player, laptop personal-computer, cell-phone, Microsoft Word.

1. Define

a. This problem is using what we learned in the reading in the previous problem and applying it to 2 products from the given list.

2. Plan

a. Review HOQ

b. FAST diagram

i. Understand how product works.

ii. Identify functions and sub-functions

iii. Ask how/why and organize them accordingly

iv. Stop at key components level

c. Identify customer needs and importance

d. Identify metrics for customer needs and their units

e. Create HOQ diagram, to show metrics and benchmarking

3. Execute

a. Cell Phone

b. FAST Diagram

c. Identify customer needs and importance

Customer Needs	Importance (ranked 1-10)
Light and Portable	5 (weight is definitely important, but not a key factor)
Functions and Buttons Usable	10 (Everything should work)
Scratch Proof and Not Breakable	8 (important, but customers should also be careful)
Appealing to the Eye	7 (definitely a factor in appealing to customers)
Easy to use (UI/UX)	9 (people should be able to easily)

d. Identify metrics for customer needs and their units

Metrics	Importance
Battery Life	8
Portable	8
Sound Quality	8
Design	5
App quality/camera quality	6

e. Create HOQ diagram, to show metrics and benchmarking

	Battery Life	Portable	Sound Quality	Design	App quality/camera quality
Easy to use (UI/UX)	0	0	0	0	1
Functions and Buttons Usable	0	0	0	0	1
Light and Portable	0	1	0	0	0
Scratch Proof and Not Breakable	0	1	0	1	1
Appealing to the Eye	0	0	0	1	0

f. FAST Diagram

g. Identify customer needs and importance

Customer Needs	Importance (ranked 1-10)
Easy to use	9
Grammar and Spelling check	5
Work on/ have open multiple docs at a time	5
Speed to launch	7
Design	7

h. Identify metrics for customer needs and their units

Metrics	Importance
Page design	8
Typing and displaying speed	10
Clean page with no ads	6
Prediction	3
Bot assistant	3

i. Create HOQ diagram, to show metrics and benchmarking

	Page design	Typing and displaying speed	Clean page with no ads	Prediction	Bot assistant
Easy to use	0	0	0	0	1
Grammar and Spelling check	0	0	0	1	0
Work on/ have open multiple docs at a time	1	0	0	0	0
Speed to launch	0	1	0	0	0
Design	1	0	0	0	0

4. Check/Learn/Draw Conclusions

This problem was helpful in further understanding and completing an HOQ problem. Doing two practice problems helped I was able to re enforce the process.