I-P-O/Multilateral Design Quality Evaluation Methods: Process Improvements and Effects

Abstract

The generally-used method of assuring design quality is to conduct quality evaluations when the process has been completed, to discover and solve any remaining problems.

However, the conventional evaluation method entails the following two problems: (1) Problems can be overlooked since the points covered by the evaluations aren’t comprehensive, and (2) evaluations are conducted by the same designers that created the process, so lack objectivity and aren’t done properly. To solve problem (1), we have proposed a comprehensive evaluation method that focuses on the design’s input, process and output (I-P-O). To solve problem (2), we have proposed an evaluation method carried out from a multilateral, objective standpoint by using the designer of the process under evaluation as well as other employees. The use of these solutions has enabled us to discover problems early, and improve the work flow so that errors aren’t conveyed to downstream processes.