Second, quality appraising is performed by Process-Control Engineering (also including inspection and testing). It evaluates, in accordance with the quality plan, the conformance and performance of the parts and products with engineering specifications.
Third, there is rapid feedback by Process-Control Engineering for quality analysis, which results in new planning, thus completing the cycle (Fig. 8.10). This analysis also fosters corrective action for product-quality deviations.
Within this structure, the fixed portions of quality-control work provide for clear-cut responsibility. Through the structure,the Manager-Quality Control is able to make a direct contribution to product quality in the company by having full accountability for two basic responsibilities of assuring the right quality at the right quality cost.
Of at least equal importance, as discussed earlier in the chapter, there is clear and full accountability on the part of all other company functions for their basic quality responsibilities. The managers and superintendents in Production Operations, for example, have the clear responsibility for producing in accordance with the specifications and the quality system and for performing the “variable” work activities of their own in-process measurements.