1. Setting standards. Determining the required cost-quality, performance-quality, safety-quality, and reliability-quality standards for the product.
2. Appraising conformance. Comparing the conformance of the manufactured product, or the offered service, to these standards.
3. Acting when necessary. Correcting problems and their causes throughout the full range of those marketing, design, engineering, production, and maintenance factors which influence user satisfaction.
4. Planning for improvements. Developing a continuing effort to improve the cost, performance, safety, and reliability standards.