Through defining the consumer needs and conducting a competitive
analysis, the HOQ helps to identify the technical components
that require change. The net effect of all this is that the
items that drive the company’s actions are driven by consumer’s
requirements. The HOQ helps to set targets, summarize basic data,
represent the consumer’s voice and helps to discover strategic
opportunities.
However, the HOQ is rarely used in daily product development
in the food industry. This contradicts with the benefits that are
promised. This can be due to several factors. First, a thorough
knowledge of the QFD method and construction of the HOQ is necessary.
Therefore, a company needs an expert in this field. This person
should be able to relate to several internal departments, in
order to work effectively.