SOFTWARE QUALITY FUNCTION DEPLOYMENT - Software Design for Six-Sigma: A Roadmap for Excellence - page 325

to determine a set of process variables that, when controlled, ensure the DRs. Again,
the DRs are the “Whats,” and we decompose this into the “Hows.”

12.11 SUMMARY

QFD is a planning tool used to translate customer needs and wants into focused
design actions. This tool is best accomplished with cross-functional teams and is
key in preventing problems from occurring once the design is operationalized. The
structured linkage allows for rapid design cycle and effective use of resources while
achieving Six Sigma levels of performance.
To be successful with the QFD, the team needs to avoid “jumping” right to solutions
and needs to process HOQ1 and HOQ2 thoroughly and properly before performing
detailed design. The team also will be challenged to keep the functional requirements
solution neutral in HOQ2.
It is important to have the correct voice of the customer and the appropriate
benchmark information. Also, a strong cross-functional team willing to think out of
the box is required to obtain truly Six Sigma capable products or processes. From this
point, the QFD is process driven, but it is not the charts that we are trying to complete,
it is the total concept of linking voice of the customer throughout the design effort.

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