Quote:
Originally Posted by The Reaper
Just bear in mind that some of us prefer to get the quality tool we need and the price is secondary.
That is why you can buy a socket wrench set for $5, or $5,000. Your quality as well as value/pricing, defines your entire business and affects your branding.
TR
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I'm kind of getting off topic here, but my operational definition of "quality" is more manufacturing/design-centered. When we refer to quality in mfg, we are speaking strictly of conformance to standards. Not saying that the standard consumer use of the term is incorrect but rather pointing out the differences to aid in the discussion.
For example, if a blade material was specified to be 420HC heat treated to 56Rc (most likely to hit a cost target), and the process is in control, then we say that the item has a high quality level. Of course this is a much differerent use of the term but it all goes back to the design intent and the accompanying constraints. Using this definition, "quality" is a more concrete and useful term which is important for manufacturers that have a wide variety of product lines to manage. This makes it possble to characterize and compare $29 items with $200 items in a mfg setting.
For design quality, my working definition is also slightly different: If all the parts are made per specification and the processes that make those parts are in control and your finished product does not meet a certain performance criteria(s), then the design quality is bad/failing/below standard.
On the branding idea, I simplify it and use the analogy of a bank account. Most companies will try to build that brand bank account through innovation, value and other things that add to the brand. Over time and with a lot of work and successful products we have built our account up to a certain level. Bad or ill-concieved product or knock-offs make huge withdrawals to our account.
From my perspective, most designers in corporations are more interested in building the brand account while the sales force is more focused on making withdrawals. It's a never-ending battle, but to give in would mean the death of the brand and ultimately, the company.
FWIW,
JF