MULTIPLE PROGRESSION — A PROPOSED NEW SYSTEM FOR THE APPLICATION OF QUALITY FUNCTION DEPLOYMENT IN THE PROCESS INDUSTRY

After a thorough literature review of the present Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methodology and its use in the process industry, it has been concluded that present QFD systems do not address the specific needs of this type of industry. A new QFD system has consequently been developed based on those research findings. The new system has been specially adapted to Process Industry applications and production systems that are often characterised by long chains of customers and suppliers and sometimes by lack of direct contact with end users. The use of the new system is illustrated by a simplified industrial case, and its further application in Process Industry is discussed.