Quick Response Quality Control (QRQC)

Quick Response Quality Control or QRQC is a problem resolution system which is based on a structured method through simple instruments. It is a rapid method of identify problems and resolving them as they occur. QRQC mainly focus on issues related to quality

QRQC has other areas of applicability like project management, logistics, manufacturing, supply chain and others.

QRQC works on following two principles:

• The strictness and San Gen Shugi behavior 三現主義 (Gemba, Gembutsu, Genjitsu – see these terms in the glossary)
• Management activity with 4 major steps:
• Problem Detection
• Problem Communication
• Problem Analysis
• Problem Verification

It takes immediate countermeasures and analyzing to develop solutions that eliminate the recurrence of the problem. Quick Response Quality Control objectives are clear:

• Do not send defective goods to customers.
• Eliminate recurring incidents.
• Improve supplier responsiveness and productivity.
• Improve people’s sensitiveness and responsiveness towards quality issues.

More details on Quick Response Quality Control (QRQC):

• Remember this is culture than a tool as management takes charge to drive and train people to fully embed QRQC culture at organizational level.
• This is above all a behavior which drags the entire company towards identification and permanent elimination of problems.
• Time based activity: Fast escalating targets to the next management level if deadline passes and so on.
• The success of the method is grounded in the reactive speed.
• Ensure everyone’s focus towards problem as well as solution. Involve internal and external suppliers as well.
• Number of people and resources used is linked with problem complexity, more complex the problem is more resource and people need to fix it.

QRQC aims to address problem by the people near it with the management hierarchy. This requires a structure and an escalation process, from the manufacturing or production at ground level and to the whole organizational level,

Benefits and achievement of quick response quality control are:

• Visible drastic reduction in quality issues.
• Improvement in ownership and responsiveness of operators as well as production team towards quality issue.
• Reduction in reoccurring issues and incidents.
• Lessons learned can be used as training and coaching of existing and new employees
• Standard operations including quality reactivity.
• Achieving greater customer satisfaction.

Formats and tools can be used:

8 Disciplines, Ishikawa diagram, Pareto Principle, 5W’s and 2H’s, Deming cycle etc.