What Is Quality 4.0 and Data?

Quality 4.0 refers to the new era of quality management systems (QMS), where quality is no longer defined by the number of defects found during testing or inspection. Instead, quality is now measured by customer satisfaction, employee productivity, and innovation.

The term ‘quality’ has been around since ancient times. In today’s global economy, companies are under pressure to deliver high-quality services at affordable prices. This means they need to adopt a systematic approach to ensure their customers receive consistent, reliable service. But what are Quality 4.0 and Data?

Quality 4.0

We are entering a new era of automation and artificial intelligence. This shift is already underway, but it won’t happen overnight. In fact, it could take decades. And there will be plenty of opportunities along the way for those who want to make sure their company remains competitive.

The good news is that quality professionals can play a key role in leading their organization through this transformation. They can help ensure that their business is ready for the future.

What Is Quality 4.0?

Quality 4.0 is a term used to describe how organizations are adopting technology to improve quality. In short, it refers to the use of data and analytics to monitor supplier performance and implement continuous improvement programs. This approach is being adopted by many industries including automotive, manufacturing, healthcare, telecommunications, financial services, government, retail, consumer products, aerospace, and defense.

In addition to improving quality, Quality 4.0 helps companies reduce costs and increase efficiency. For example, companies are able to identify potential problems early, stop production lines before defects occur, and quickly resolve issues.

The concept of Quality 4.0 is gaining traction because businesses realize that they must adopt new ways of working in order to compete effectively. They know that high-quality products and services are essential to success. But they also recognize that traditional methods of measuring quality are no longer sufficient.

The Evolution of Quality 4.0

During the Industrial Revolution, there were many inventions that changed the way we live our lives. These changes allowed us to make more products and services faster and better than ever before. This revolution continues today. As technology evolves, it allows us to do things much quicker and easier. However, the evolution of quality isn’t just about speed. It’s also about how we think about what we’re doing.

Problem-Solving for Quality 4.0

The quality movement began in the early 1990s with the publication of the book “Total Quality Management.” This book introduced the idea that organizations could use quality improvement techniques to improve customer satisfaction and reduce costs. 

Over the next 20 years, many companies adopted TQM strategies and became known as “quality organizations.” In recent years, however, there has been a shift away from the term “TQM,” which has become associated with a specific set of practices and philosophies. As a result, many companies are now looking for ways to move beyond traditional quality programs.

In response to this trend, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) recently published a document titled “Quality 4.0.” IEEE defines Quality 4.0 as the combination of quality methods with technology and data analytics. These technologies include sensors, software, cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality, augmented reality, the Internet of things, 5G networks, blockchain, and quantum computing.

According to the IEEE, “Quality 4.0 is about making better decisions based on real-time information and predictive analytics.” For example, a manufacturing plant might use sensors to detect problems before they happen, while a hospital uses AI to predict patient outcomes.

While Quality 4.0 is still evolving, it appears to be here to stay. Companies such as GE, Microsoft, IBM, Intel, Samsung, and Toyota already have implemented some form of Quality 4.0 strategy.

Quality 4.0 Tools

The quality ecosystem consists of tools, methods, techniques, processes, and practices used to improve the quality of products, services, experiences, and outcomes across the entire value chain. Many different types of tools, such as those listed below, contribute to improving the quality of our lives. These include:

• Analytics – Such as traditional analytics like reporting, dashboards, KPIs, and visualization. It also includes newer forms of analytics, like machine learning, text analysis, recommendation systems, and forecasting.
• Automation – Automated reminders and notifications, as well as automated workflow with new tasks when other tasks are completed.
• Business Intelligence – This includes BI platforms, BI software, BI solutions, BI consulting, BI strategy and planning, BI architecture, BI governance, BI security, and BI compliance.
• Collaborative Design & Development – This includes collaborative design, collaboration tools, agile methodologies, Scrum, lean manufacturing, Kanban, Lean Six Sigma, Design Thinking, User Experience, Human Centered Design, UX, UI, visual design, interaction design, information architecture, wireframing, prototyping, usability testing, and Usability Testing.
• Cybersecurity – This includes cybersecurity technology, cyber risk assessment, cyber threats, incident response, threat intelligence, vulnerability scanning, and penetration testing.

The Data Axe of Quality 4.0

Industry 4.0 refers to integrating the Internet of things (IoT) into manufacturing processes. But what does it mean for manufacturers today? How do you make sure you’re meeting the challenges of data-driven quality excellence? What does “designing for quality 4.0” really look like? And how do we integrate design thinking into our processes? 

Data-driven quality excellence is a process that looks beyond the product itself to consider every aspect of the supply chain — from raw materials to packaging to shipping to customer care. This holistic approach ensures that no single part of the supply chain is overlooked and that each component contributes to the overall success of the end product.

Quality 4.0 is about designing for value, not just quality. It’s about taking a systems view of manufacturing, looking at the whole picture. Quality 4.0 isn’t just about building a better product; it’s about creating value through processes.

Data-driven quality excellence extends beyond the physical world to include digital interactions. In fact, it’s often easier to improve the quality of those interactions than it is to improve the quality of the actual product. For example, a poorly designed app could prevent customers from completing transactions. Or a poor review site might cause consumers to choose a competitor over yours. 

Data Is the Most Important Thing In Quality 4.0 Initiatives

Quality metrics are often used to measure how well companies perform against targets set out by management. However, it’s vital to make sure those metrics align with the company’s overall strategy. Otherwise, they won’t provide useful insights into what’s really happening inside the organization.

Quality 4.0 helps organizations better communicate about quality across the entire enterprise. By focusing on the four main areas of quality, it allows managers to see how each area impacts the others. For example, improving people skills may improve processes, which could lead to improved products, which might ultimately benefit customers.

This approach makes it easier to spot trends and patterns in quality, and to compare different parts of the business. It also enables executives to take action based on the findings.

For instance, if a particular department consistently delivers poor quality, it may indicate that there’s something wrong with the way it’s being managed. Managers can then look at ways to fix the problem, such as training employees or changing organizational structures.