Conformance
Manufacturers view product quality in terms of conformance to specifications. This is achieved with a process of quality control and quality assurance. Done correctly, this results in products that are extremely consistent.Fit For Purpose
Customers view product quality primarily in terms of how a product fulfills their needs.Communication & Information
Customer expectations also influence quality perceptions. Negative surprises such as a missing feature can result in poor product ratings. As such, packaging, instructional content and marketing communication play a role in quality by managing expectations. For example, a jar of organic peanut butter made without a thickening agent might carefully communicate that it separates easily and needs to be stirred before each use.Reliability
The durability of a product in a variety of real world conditions. A product that breaks earlier than expected tends to attract poor product reviews.Safety & Security
Safety and security incidents can cause serious damage to a product's reputation. For example, an operating system that is vulnerable to information security attacks may be viewed as low quality.Efficiency
Efficiency is a primary quality consideration for products that are resource intensive. For example, energy efficiency is a core quality factor for transportation products such as high speed trains.Experience
Intangible elements of a product such as how much fun it is to use.| Overview: Product Quality | ||
Type | ||
Definition (1) | The value of a product to customers. | |
Definition (2) | A product that is fit for purpose. | |
Definition (3) | Conformance to specifications. | |
Related Concepts | ||
