Abstract
Quality Engineering looks at designing Quality into every product and all the processes. Design is surely the most important phase for Quality both of products and processes. Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and Taguchi Methods were both originated in Japan and are claimed as very important for Quality design. They are usually considered synergical for the development of products and processes. Are they good?
Productivity improves as the quality of the process moves upwards. The Japanese learned in 1950 that this can be achieved if the process is in control. Economic manufacturing requires quality control and improvement and, consequently, the use of Quality tools such as Statistical Process Control, Control Charts, and DOE. The paper will consider firstly Shewharts ideas on process control and some recent developments.