Benchmarking the quality function deployment models

Abstract

Purpose

Quality function deployment (QFD) has been used to translate customer requirements into engineering characteristics of a product, while benchmarking was developed to search for the best industry practices, which will lead to exceptional performance through the implementation of these best practices. However, no attempt has been made to integrate QFD with benchmarking to identify the best practices of QFD model. This paper aims to classify the QFD models and thereby applying benchmarking process to propose the best practices of QFD model.

Design/methodology/approach

The fundamental benchmarking model developed by Camp has been used to benchmark the existing QFD models available in the literature.

Findings

Benchmarking the QFD models revealed about 36 QFD steps in the first phase of the house of quality. The tools used in solving for each practice are also reported.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed model is conceptual and it requires validation by implementing the same in an organization to understand its effectiveness.

Originality/value

Utilizing the benchmarking process to develop the best practices of QFD model is an original concept.

Citation

Vinayak, K. and Kodali, R. (2013), "Benchmarking the quality function deployment models", Benchmarking: An International Journal, Vol. 20 No. 6, pp. 825-854. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-07-2011-0052