1.

Explain and discuss what a system is and how we can model systems,
including quality management systems. Introduce the object-oriented,
layered quality management system / process model. What are the
interacting objects, layers, inputs, outputs, controls and resources. How
does a multi-layer quality process model help engineering management
to assure high quality in any organization? Don't forget to include a
technical illustration / image, that you have created to illustrate this
challenge / solution (1 point of 10).

A system is a set of components or elements that work together to achieve a

specific goal or set of goals. System components can be physical, such as the
parts of a car, or they can be abstract. Systems created by nature can be
simple or complex and can be found everywhere. Systems created by
humanity can be simple or complex and can be found in various fields such as
engineering. Systems can also be open or closed, meaning that they can
interact with their environment in different ways. A system can be broken
down into several components such as inputs, processes and outputs (ex. Data
flow diagram). Data flow diagram is a graphical representation using a
standardized set of symbols and notations to describe a system through data
movement. Priority gauge shows how important the data flow is. Input is
where data enters the process, we can identify it has a variable. Control side is
where data somehow limits or controls the process. Resource side is where
data describes the available manpower, hardware, software etc. resources for
executing the process. The output side is where data leaves the process.
System emphasis on purpose and viewpoint of the system. Complex system
models include layer to deal with complexity. Preferably, there should be no
more than 5-6 layers in a system model. An innovation system model for
quality system design, including feedback loops for cont. quality
improvements. It covers customer requirements analysis. There is a
sustainable green system model as well. Quality or QMS is part of every
object/process of a system. QMS is formalized system that documents
processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving quality. Also, it is
collection of business processes with the purpose of ensuring that the quality
of products, processes or services meet or exceed customer expectation
requirements. Polymorphism allows for greater flexibility and extensibility in
the quality management system. Using a process helps keep things in track.
Employees are aware of the basic process. It is a guild line to start off a new
project. There are tools such visio to help look at process by layers. Each layer
represents sub-systems. This can be validated by confirming if the flow
diagram matches the process. I believe this is the best solution. It significantly
 improves the QMS system. It helps to see previous process and see the
difference in current process.

The image above shows component of a system. This is a simple flow diagram.

1. Discuss product innovation process models for customer retention. Design

a simple quality-focused example, that you have created. Don't forget to
include a technical illustration / image, that you have created to illustrate
this challenge / solution (1 point of 10).

The five process steps of the innovation model that organizations can use to keep
products up to date include target the opportunity, explore the idea, develop
alternatives, optimize the solution, and commercialize the innovation. If the
customer loyalty is consistently providing greater value, greater quality, greater
cost, and greater service, then the key to providing superior value is innovation.
Innovation is reducing the cost of the product and increase quality of the product
and service along with the market trend. As customers wants are changing, the
innovation process is helping to determine the gap in fulfilling those desires. Not
only innovation is making customers daily life easy but also focuses on being a
green environment. I believe this model is a good solution. Starts with Idea
generation, development, manufacturing, marketing and sales, and commercial
product. New product development can be used in this process. I don’t think that
this is the best process. I would start with research customer desires, determine
market gap, idea generation in terms of eco-friendly and efficiency, resources,
development, manufacturing, marketing, and sales. Innovation is required so
that the company stands out from the others, and it is unique. It’s important to
sell products based on what the customer is looking for. Innovation is non-stop as
people would like to be the best version of themselves. It involves a lot of work
when developing an idea and commercializing it. There is always a risk, even if it
is an innovation. Does the product fulfill customers requirements? Is the product
non-defective? All of this can be answered using voice of customer. It will help
determine which products got rated.

The image below shows the new product development process. There are
subcategories such as APQP, control plan, etc. which help get a better
understanding of the product phase.

3. Discuss quality partnering and strategic alliance process models. How is your
company doing this?  Design a simple quality-focused example, that you have
created. Don't forget to include a technical illustration / image, that you have
created to illustrate this challenge / solution (1 point of 10).

There are many forms of quality partnering and strategic alliance process
models. Internal partnering - that is creating an environment and establish
mechanisms within it that bring managers and employees, teams, and individual
employees together in mutually supportive alliances that maximize the human
resources of an organization. Internal partnering can include management – to –
employee partnerships, team to team partnerships and employee to employee
partnerships. Partnering with suppliers - goal is to create and maintain loyal and
reliable relationship which allows both partners to win while promoting CI.
Partnering with customers- is to get them involved early in the product
development cycle. Introduce them to preview design and prototype models.
Partnering with potential competitors – The rationale for partnering with
potential competitors. This applies to small to medium firms and sometimes in
large organizations. Global Partnering – Companies market to customers
worldwide to begin supply chain. Education and Business partnerships- are
formed to help organizations to improve their people and how well they interact
with process technologies. Service includes customer training, workshops,
seminars and more. There are supplier agreement forms in which suppliers and
the company signs to ensure there is no confusion later. It’s a `supplier
agreement form to ensure that the products meet up to specification, supplier
quality management system survey, and company supplier quality manual. I
believe it is important to ensure there is a supportive team when working
internally as it can lead to a resignation of an employee. On the other side, it is
much easier to work internally as employees tend to work with each other daily.
Partnering with competitors is rough because they are trying sell more products
and improve their process. Some competitors are more successful or sometimes
less. It’s always important to be careful of how to communicate with people.

The image below shows the different forms of quality partnering whether it is
internal or external.

4. Explain the difference between traditional and modern quality cultures. How
did quality control and quality management work / or not in the past and what is
the new thinking? Design a simple quality-focused example, that you have
created. Don't forget to include a technical illustration / image, that you have
created to illustrate this challenge / solution (1 point of 10).

Modern quality culture looks outward for customers input while traditional
quality cultures look inwards for inspiration and solutions. There difference
between traditional and modern quality are operating philosophy, objectives,
management approach, attitude toward customers, problem-solving approach,
supplier relationships, and performance- important approach. Traditional
quality organization typically adopt short term objectives. Organization with
traditional culture focuses mainly on ROI and short-term profits which will lead
to a negative effect in a long run. Traditional culture organizations tend to spend
time, energy on deflecting or blame than on identifying the root cause of the
problem. Also, organization does not allow employees to share their ideas or
thoughts to improve the quality. Quality culture organization maintains good
relationships maintained between organization and suppliers. Traditional culture
organization, performance improvement is an erratic, reactive undertaking that
is typically triggered by problems. The modern quality culture ensures quality
top priority when manufacturing a product since the product should be able to
do it’s intended purpose without failing. Concepts such as lean manufacturing
and six sigma are used in most manufacturing places. There are new technology
and innovation that helps quality control department to accomplish task
efficiently and much faster. Before quality was not important, not every
company even have a quality department. There was no QMS or structure to
employees to ensure products get sold with the highest quality. Not having high
quality leads to customer complaints, rework, waste, loss of money and time.
Supplier auditing was not even popular back then. Now that there is stability,
companies want to look at quality for long term. People writes reviews on the
company’s website. Now customers feedback has become important. New
thinking is that quality is top priority.

The image below shows the steps for good actionable steps of VOC. This will
determine which area needs an improvement.

5. What is the new thinking in Quality 4.0 plus systems? List the key quality
dimensions and explain how you can quantify each of them? What are the new
big ideas, methods, tools and technologies in Quality 4.0 plus systems? Design a
simple quality-focused example, that you have created. Don't forget to include a
technical illustration / image, that you have created to illustrate this challenge /
solution (1 point of 10).

New thinking in Quality 4.0 plus systems describes the integration of industry 4.0
methods, tools, and technologies such as internet of things, big data analytics and
artificial intelligence. It represents a shift towards a more data-driven and
digitized approach to quality management. Quality 4.0 is an integral part of the
much wider industry 4.0 framework. It is also known as fourth industrial
revolution referring to the integration of technologies such as IoT, AI, and cloud
computing into processes. The goal is to create smart factories that are highly
connected, automated but flexible and responsive to changing market conditions.
Some key concepts include cyber- physical systems: this refers to integration of
systems to create highly connected and responsive manufacturing environment.
IoT/IIoT: relies heavily on the ability to connect machine, devices, and
equipment to the internet allowing for the real time gathering of data. Big data
and analytics: the vast amounts of data generated by connected machines and
devices in industry 4.0 must be analyzed in real-time to gain insights and make
decisions. Cloud computing: requires ability to store, process, and analyze large
amounts of data, which is done using cloud-based services. Artificial intelligence
and machine learning relies on the ability to analyze large amounts of data in
real-time, which is often done using AI and machine learning algorithms. Human
Machine interaction: systems are designed to work seamlessly with human
operators, allowing for a more efficient and flexible manufacturing environment.
Smart factories: adapt quickly to changing market conditions with zero defect.
Connectivity: relies on the connectivity of systems, devices, and data to gather
and analyze information in real-time. Cybersecurity relies on security of data
and systems, which is essential to protect sensitive data and maintain the
integrity of quality management systems. Interoperability means systems can
communicate and exchange data with other systems, devices, and platforms.
Flexibility means that they can be easily adapted to changing business needs or
market conditions. This is a good solution, but will it be able to replace all
manufacturing work?

The image below shows some of the different benefits from quality 4.0
6. Discuss the importance of quality culture. How is your company doing this?
How can you establish a positive, sustainable quality culture with a professional
QMS system in place? What does / can a QMS do for your company? How do
you reinforce the importance of quality culture in your QMS? Design a simple
quality-focused example, that you have created. Don't forget to include a
technical illustration / image, that you have created to illustrate this challenge /
solution (1 point of 10).

To establish a positive, sustainable quality culture with a professional QMS in

place requires a combination of several key elements including leadership,
employee engagement, customer focus, continuous improvement,
communication, recognition and rewards, continuous learning, and QMS
system. Quality management system is a professional QMS that provides a
framework for implementing and maintaining a positive, sustainable quality
culture. It helps to establish clear policies and procedures, ensures compliance
with relevant regulations and standards, and provides a means for measuring
and evaluating performance. Reinforcing the importance of quality culture in
a QMS involves several key steps: communicate the importance of quality
culture by clearly communicating the importance of quality culture to all
employees and explain how it aligns with the organization’s goals and
objectives. Make it part of the performance evaluation: Incorporate the
quality culture as part of the performance evaluation process, this will ensure
that employees understand the importance of quality culture in their daily
work and that they are held accountable for their role in maintaining it.
Communicate and recognize the successes: Share the successes and
improvements of the quality culture with all employees and recognize the
contributions of those who have helped to improve it.
Quality culture involves building a culture of trust, participation, and
communication where quality goals are supported by employee
participation. The goal is to sustainably produce and improve quality by
implementing perspectives from management that integrate various cultural
aspects of the workforce. The importance of having a quality culture is not
just limited to delivering quality products to the market, but it forms a basis
to lead an organization towards operational excellence and continuous
improvement. My company is doing this by ensuring that all the employees
have quality values. The quality culture of the organization has a clear and
direct impact on the ultimate quality of the product.

The image below shows the common values.

7. How do you understand who is a customer? Explain customer defined value,

value analysis and retention. Design a simple quality-focused example, that you
have created. Don't forget to include a technical illustration / image, that you
have created to illustrate this challenge / solution (1 point of 10).
Customer value consist of what attributes customer values the most. This is
determined by using different type of surveying method such as written survey, a
telephone survey, one on one interviews. The list of attributes can be rated by
ranking which one is priority. Repeat this process as customers tend to change
preferences. The value of product or service is the sum of a customer’s
perceptions by the following factors: product or service quality, service provided
by the organization, the organization’s personnel, the organization’s image, and
selling and cost of product or service. Customer retention organization has with
a customer and continues through lifetime of a relationship. A company’s ability
to attract and retain new customers. Customers are the individuals and
businesses that purchase goods and services from another business. To
understand how to better meet the needs of its customers, some businesses closely
monitor their customer relationships to identify ways to improve service and
products. To determine who is your customer it is important to understand what
problem you are trying to resolve. For instance, if you are looking to create a
smart chair, you need to determine who uses chairs the most such as gamers,
office people, etc. This will help you determine who is your customer and which
type of people are you targeting. Those gamer and office people might have high
chance of prolong back disorder from sitting too long in an upright position. It is
important to understand how your product is going to impact people. Customer
value is best defined as how much a product or service is worth to a customer.
It's a measure of all the costs and benefits associated with a product or service. It
is worth to a customer when the product is useful that when the customer values
it.

The figure below shows how to understand customer

8. Discuss employee empowerment. How is your company doing this? Design a
simple quality-focused example, that you have created. Don't forget to include a
technical illustration / image, that you have created to illustrate this challenge /
solution (1 point of 10).

A positive, sustainable quality culture involves the active participation of all

employees. Employees should be empowered to take ownership of their work and
to continuously look for ways to improve quality. Encourage employee
engagement: Encourage employee engagement in quality management by
involving them in the process, providing them with the necessary training and
resources, and empowering them to take ownership of their work. Employee
empowerment is defined as the ways in which organizations provide their
employees with a certain degree of autonomy and control in their day-to-day
activities. A key principle of employee empowerment is providing employees the
means for making important decisions and helping ensure those decisions are
correct. When deployed properly, this should result in heightened productivity
and a better quality of employee work and work life. Employee empowerment is
often viewed as an inverted triangle of organizational power. Allowing employees
to have more control over their work is the best way to optimise their
performance and benefit the organisation. In the traditional view, management is
at the top while customers are on the bottom; in an empowered environment,
customers are at the top while management is in a support role at the bottom.
The three main objectives of employee empowerment are self- empowerment
through individual action, mutual empowerment that is interpersonal, and social
empowerment in the outcomes of social action. There are different types of
employee empowerment such as decision-making empowerment, financial
empowerment, time management empowerment, and shared information
empowerment. Empowering employees affects them by setting expectation and
goals that can enable success, earn trust by delegation, give autonomy, provide
resources and organizational support, be open to new and creative perspectives,
empower but do not ignore, and acknowledge good work. Benefits of
empowering employees includes improved accountability, quicker turnaround,
enhanced customer service, increased productivity, increased job satisfaction,
greater initiative, better collaboration, and more leadership potential.

9. Discuss leadership for quality. How is your company doing this? Design a

simple quality-focused example, that you have created. Don't forget to include a
technical illustration / image, that you have created to illustrate this challenge /
solution (1 point of 10).

Strong leadership is essential for establishing a positive, sustainable quality

culture. Leaders need to set the tone and direction for the organization,
communicate the importance of quality to all employees, and actively promote a
culture of continuous improvement. Lead by example: Leadership must actively
demonstrate the importance of quality culture by taking ownership of quality,
being involved in the quality management process, and recognizing and
rewarding quality performance. The Quality leader recognizes that the people in
the company who actually add value for the customer are the operators. Quality
is a transformative process, one that takes a business and changes it to meet a
goal or objective. A good leader is able to bring out the best abilities in his/her
team members and motivate them to work together in achieving a shared goal. A
good leader is also organized and keeps the team on track and focused to avoid
delays. It is important to understand your team and not to overload them with
work. The role of leadership in quality management forms the backbone of any
improvement strategy. Leaders provide a unity of purpose, while also
establishing the direction of the organization. As such, the responsibility of
leaders consists of creating and maintaining the internal environment. In this
environment, employees can become completely involved in achieving the
organization’s goals and aims. There are ways to improve quality management
leadership and management. Be proactive and lead through example.
Understand and react to fluctuations in the external environment. Consider the
wants of all stake holders. Establish a clear view of the organization’s prospects.
Establish common values and ethical role models throughout the organization.
Develop trust and eradicate fear. Equip employees with the needed resources and
freedom to strive for duty and accountability. Inspire, motivate, and recognize
contributions. Foster open and honest communication. Teach, train, and coach
employees. Develop challenging objectives and targets.

The image below shows the values of a quality leadership

10. How to lead for a better quality change? How is your company doing this? 
Design a simple quality-focused example, that you have created. Don't forget to
include a technical illustration / image, that you have created to illustrate this
challenge / solution (1 point of 10).

Measure and report on quality culture: Regularly measure and report on the
performance of the quality culture and use the data to identify areas for
improvement and to recognize and reward success. Continuously improve:
Continuously improve the quality culture by identifying areas for improvement,
implementing changes, and measuring the impact of these changes. The following
change implementation model is designed to help leaders systematically
overcome the various factors that inhibit organizational change: Develop a
compelling changed picture, monitor and adjust, Implement the change.
Communicate the change picture to all stakeholders, conduct a comprehensive
roadblock analysis, Remove, or mitigate all roadblocks identified. Leading
people in organizations through change initiatives require a concerted and
systematic effort. The following change-implementation model is designed to help
leaders systematically overcome the various factors that inhibit organizational
change: Develop a compelling change picture. Communicate the change picture
to all stakeholders. Conduct a comprehensive roadblock analysis. Remove or
mitigate all roadblocks identified. Implement the change and monitor and adjust.
Certain skills are required in order to lead for quality change. The current
process would need to be compared to future state.

Executive Summary

Ford Mustang Ford Mustang Mach-E to gain LFP battery to slash costs

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/ford-mustang-mach-e-gain-lfp-
battery-slash-costs?utm_source=sfmc&utm_term=Ford+Mustang+Mach-
E+to+gain+LFP+battery+in+Europe+to+slash+costs%e2%80%8b%e2%80%8b
%e2%80%8b%e2%80%8b%e2%80%8b%e2%80%8b%e2%80%8b%26nbsp
%3b&utm_content=14517&utm_id=14fec131-a148-40e6-8931-
bf1e80081509&sfmc_id=56860908&sfmc_activityid=daa154a1-7ba2-4df6-914d-
a704343235f2&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ac_newsletter_16_02_2023

According to Fords, models with lithium- iron- phosphate battery (LEP) will be
more durable, charge faster and be cheaper. The model is called Ford mustang
Mach-E electric crossover which will be launch in Europe making it more
affordable and accessible to customers. This electric vehicle features nickel-
cobalt-manganese battery set-up, the models equipped with LFP battery which
will last longer, benefit from lower costs and charge faster. These batteries will
feature Ford F-150 lightening pick-up next year before moving on to power a
host of next generation electric passenger and commercial vehicles. LFP batteries
are durable then NCM counterparts and will use fewer in demand expensive
material such as nickel and cobalt.

Srikar:
“According to Ford, an optional LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery pack will be
added to the Mustang Mach-E electric car in 2022, which is anticipated to drastically
lower production costs.”

Hina:
“Compared to the NCM (nickel, cobalt, manganese) batteries now employed in the
Mustang Mach-E, LFP batteries are less expensive to manufacture. The LFP battery
is also anticipated to last longer and be more heat-resistant.”

Srikar:
“While having a somewhat less range than the NCM battery pack, the new LFP
battery pack will still have a range of about 200 miles on a single charge. The LFP
battery will be an optional component for the Mustang Mach-E cars with rear-wheel
drive.”

Hina:
“Ford wants to make the Mustang Mach-E more accessible to a wider group of buyers
by providing a more economical battery alternative. Since its release, the Mustang
Mach-E has been highly welcomed, and the addition of a less expensive battery
option should help to increase sales even more.”

The Unsung Success Story Of Increased Efficiency (And Why We All Need More
Of It)

https://cleantechnica.com/2023/01/22/the-unsung-success-story-of-increased-
efficiency-and-why-we-all-need-more-of-it/

Organizations charted a path to decarbonize world and broke down the required
action in four different pathways. Referring to the first two pathways include
decarbonizing electricity and electrifying everything. The third pathway is
increasing efficiency and the fourth one is sequestering emissions. Efficiency
means using less of a resource to achieve the same result. Over a 25-year period
from 1980 to 2014, efficiency investments resulted in a 50% improvement in US
energy intensity. According to American council for an energy-efficient economy,
energy intensity has decreased by 50% since 1980. fridges use 75% less
energy now than they did a couple decades ago and they perform better and cost
less. Light bulbs have followed the same trend, accounting for 10% of an average
home’s electricity consumption in 2015 and only 4% in 2021, thanks to
LEDs. Denmark uses about 40 percent of the energy that the U.S. uses and yet
it’s recognized for the second highest quality of life in the world. In order to be
efficient, we would need to improve on technologies and behavior or life style.
Strategies include installing low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators to reduce
both water and the energy used to heat the water.

Hina:
“Efficiency improvement is an achievement that frequently goes unnoticed. When we
discuss success, we frequently highlight significant achievements like shattering sales
records or exceeding growth objectives. Yet, over time, even modest advancements
might result in huge profits.”

Srikar:
“Efficiency is all about carrying out tasks more effectively, quickly, and waste-free.
As we increase our productivity, we may achieve more with less resources or the
same amount with more. This is crucial in the fast-paced, competitive world of today,
when businesses are constantly seeking for methods to accomplish more with less
resources.”

Hina:
“Efficiency gains provide several advantages for both people and businesses. For
people, it may mean completing more tasks in less time, feeling less stressed, and
having a better work-life balance. It may include lower expenses, more production,
and higher customer satisfaction for enterprises.”

Srikar:
“The advent of automation in numerous sectors is one illustration of increasing
productivity. Automation may help businesses speed up, eliminate mistakes, and
simplify their operations. Automated customer care chatbots, for instance, may react
to client questions rapidly, freeing up human customer service professionals to
address more complicated situations.”

Hina:
“The implementation of lean manufacturing concepts is another such. Manufacturers
can make items more quickly and more cheaply by getting rid of waste and improving
procedures. This may result in more profits and a competitive edge in the market.”

Srikar:
“Using technology can also increase efficiency. For instance, cloud computing
enables businesses to store and access data from any location, eliminating the need
for physical servers and enhancing teamwork. Employees may work more successfully
and efficiently by using mobile devices and remote work solutions.”

Hina:
“In conclusion, improved productivity is a triumph that merits recognition. Although
it might not garner as much attention as large achievements, it can have a
tremendous positive impact on both people and businesses. We can all work more
effectively and use our resources more wisely if we always strive to be more
efficient.”

The Economic Impact Of EVs On Households — Not All Are Equal

https://cleantechnica.com/2023/01/22/the-economic-impact-of-evs-on-households-
not-all-are-equal/

Mapping electric vehicle impacts greenhouse gas emissions, fuel costs, and
energy justice in the United States. Household in the lowest income quintile spent
the least on transportation but faced a larger transportation cost burden. The
cost of EV has exceeded the average cost of an internal combustion engine
vehicle, the cost of ownership over the life of an EV is less. Half of the lowest
income US households will experience high transportation energy burdens. These
are households that spend more than 4% of household income on filling the tank
or charging up. Is this a bigger issue of energy justice? More equitable
transportation includes targeting policies to promote energy justice in lower
income communities, including subsidizing charging infrastructure. Also, ways
to reduce electricity costs and tapping into low- carbon transport infrastructure.

Srikar:
“Electric vehicles (EVs) have a variety of economic effects on households, depending
on a number of variables like income, geography, and lifestyle. The initial expenses of
buying an EV can be greater, making them less affordable for lower-income
households even if they can provide considerable long-term cost savings over
conventional gasoline-powered vehicles.”

Hina:
“These are some significant ways that EVs may affect household finances:
Purchase Cost: Due to the high cost of battery technology, EVs are often more
expensive to buy upfront than conventional gas-powered automobiles. Nevertheless,
this is partially countered by the fact that EVs require less frequent maintenance and
use a lot less gasoline.”

Srikar:
“Tax credits: Both federal and state tax credits may lower the price of an EV. But,
depending on where you reside and your income level, these credits are available in
different amounts.”

Hina:
“Charging Infrastructure: Installing a home charging station might be expensive,
especially for people who live in flats or houses without garages, but it can make EV
ownership more convenient. Several governments provide financial aid to offset the
expense of setting up a home charging station.”

Srikar:
“Electricity Rates: Depending on where you reside and when you charge, the cost of
charging an EV varies. For EV users who charge during off-peak hours, certain
power companies offer lower prices.”

Hina:
“Resale Value: Compared to gas-powered vehicles, EVs often have a better resale
value, which can help offset the higher initial expenditures. This is in part because
EVs have fewer mechanical parts that might eventually wear out.”

Srikar:
“In general, the financial impact of EVs on families will be influenced by a number of
variables, such as the price of power, the accessibility of charging infrastructure, and
the quantity of tax benefits offered. While buying an EV may initially cost more for
certain households, the long-term savings on fuel and maintenance expenses may
make them a more cost-effective decision.”