A First Course in Quality Engineering, 3rd Edition

7Quality in Procurement

In Chapter 3, we discussed the quality methods used when designing a product to meet the needs of the customer, and when designing the processes to make the products according to the design. In Chapters 4 and 5, we discussed the methods employed during production to make the products right-the-first-time and prevent the production of defective products. In this chapter we discuss the methods for assuring quality in materials, parts, and subassemblies purchased from outside vendors.

7.1Importance of Quality in Supplies

The need for procuring parts and materials of quality cannot be overemphasized—especially in the context of modern productive organizations procuring ever larger proportions of the assemblies they build ...