QUALITY FUNCTION DEPLOYMENT (QFD): INTEGRATION OF LOGISTICS REQUIREMENTS INTO MAINSTREAM SYSTEM DESIGN

Numerous references make a case for the integration of logistics-related activities within the system engineering process. This is consistent with good system engineering practice and with concurrent and simultaneous engineering concepts. For the effective and efficient design and development of systems (products or processes) which are responsive to requirements and competitive in a global economy, this integration must evolve from the nascent stages of system design. Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is a design method which can facilitate this objective. This paper reviews the QFD method, the underlying process and elemental activities, and finally discusses opportunities for logistics engineers to contribute to, and integrate with, the mainstream system design activity. An illustrative QFD matrix is used to depict this integration. Introduction And Background The Quality Function Deployment (QFD) method was developed at the Kobe Shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., and has evolved considerably since. QFD facilitates translation of a prioritized set o