MacBook Pro by Apple Inc Quality Management

Quality Management
Executive Summary
Quality management is pivotal in any product or service. One of the key aspects of ensuring this is through the product development process. The product taken into account is MacBook Pro by Apple Inc. Research indicates that the product goes through various steps in the production process, including designing, the formation of a new product team, Apple New product Process, product review, product redesign, assessment and feedback, and then finally product launching. Research also indicates that designing for manufacturing is a pivotal component of the product development cycle. It encompasses the optimization of the product's design for the different processes of manufacturing and assembly, assimilating the various product design needs and requirements with its production approach. In the case of television, the various DFM guidelines taken into consideration for improving manufacturability include a reduction in the number of parts, developing products designs that are modular, usage of standard parts, ensuring that the designing and manufacturing product parts are multi-functional and also can be used for multiple aspects, decreasing the various directions for product assembly and also guaranteeing compliance. Concerning product design decision making, the paper also examines key customer requirements and key technical requirements of a vehicle and presents them in a matrix using the QFD format. Specifically, QFD can be employed as a tool for prioritizing significant directions offering a perspective for improvement in line with the desires and requirements of the consumers.
Furthermore, the paper examines quality defect aspects for the production of vehicles in a company such as Toyota using a fishbone diagram. The fishbone diagram is a visual manner to examine cause and effect. It helps in determining potential causes of the causes of quality defects in the vehicles and in sorting ideas into useful classifications.
Table of Contents
Question 1 4
Product Development Process 4
Question 2 5
Design Guidelines for Improving Manufacturability 5
Question 3 7
Key Customer Requirements 7
Key Technical Requirements 8
Matrix Using QFD Format 8
House of Quality 9
Question 4 10
Fishbone Diagram 10
Conclusion 11
References 12
Question 1
Product Development Process
The product quality can be measured in various ways. The first way in which the quality of a product can be measured is by the conformity to the conditions set out. This means that a product is of great quality if, when finished, it is exactly the way it had been set out to be. Another way in which a product's quality can be measured is through the effectiveness of the product. Is the product effective in its use by the customer? Lastly, product quality can be measured with the price that has been paid for it and how well the product is satisfactory to the customer needs. In totality, the quality of a product is inherently and largely influenced by the product development process.
Apple Inc. is one of the most renowned and celebrated companies across the globe. The company manufactures and retails a wide range of products and services, including iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, iPod, Apple TV, iOS, Mac, and also HomePod. In delineation, the product development process takes into account all of the phases that are necessitated to take a product from the formulation or conception phase to market availability. This takes into account pinpointing a market necessity and requirement, conducting research and examination into the competitive environment, conceptualizing and formulating a solution, developing a map for the product offering, and also creating a minimally viable product. All of these phases take place from the time the idea is formed to the time the product is sold to end-user consumers (Hill, Jones, and Schilling, 2014). The product taken into consideration, in this case, is a MacBook Pro. Notably, MacBook refers to a product line of Macintosh laptop computers from Apple Inc.
The first step of the product development process in manufacturing a MacBook Pro is the design process. It is imperative to indicate that every product and service at the company begins with design. Apple gives its design department the autonomy to design and guarantee that the products created to satisfy the company's vision. The product, in its entirety, conforms to the vision of the designers. Furthermore, the design department is given unlimited accessibility to finances and manufacturing practicality regarding the resources employed. The second step of the product development process is the formation of a new product team. In this phase, a fresh team is well-organized and isolated from the rest of the organization by confidentiality agreements and, even at the time, physical barriers. This provides exclusive space for the teams working on a new product (Panzarino, 2012).
Once the design of the MacBook Pro has started, Apple's New product Process is implemented. Essentially, this is a document that entails and details every stage within the product development process. This encompasses mapping out the steps of the product creation, the different parties responsible for the undertaking till completion, the different individuals involved in the various stages, and their time-frame for completion. The third step of the process is a product review. In Apple Inc., this process is done on Monday of every week during a meeting of the executive team. After the onset of the production of the program, there are two parties responsible involved, including the engineering program manager and the global supply manager. In Apple Inc.'s business operation, these two corporate positions spend the majority of their time in the manufacturing facilities in China, supervising the production process (Interaction Design Foundation, 2019).
The subsequent phase in the product development process is once a product is completed, the process of designing, building, and testing is done once again. It is imperative to note that once Apple Inc. is finished with building a product, it undertakes the process of redesigning the product and takes it through manufacturing yet again, explicating the different versions that might have been leaked to the media. After that, the engineering program manager takes the beta MacBook Pro device with the intension of examination and feedback. Usually, numerous versions of the device are done and are not simply prototypes. After that, the phase that follows is the packaging. The company has completely committed an entire department that is tasked with solely device packaging. The final step of the product development process is product launch (Menear, 2020).
Question 2
Design Guidelines for Improving Manufacturability
Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) is the amalgamation of both product design and process scheduling into one joint activity. The key goal is to design a product that is effortlessly and economically manufactured (Groover, 2010). Notably, the significance of designing for manufacturing is accentuated by the actuality that approximately 70 percent of manufacturing outlays of a product, for instance, the cost of raw materials, processing, and also assembling, is ascertained by a design decision. On the other hand, decisions about production, for example, choosing the machine equipment and process planning, are accountable for solely 20 percent of manufacturing outlays (Evans and Lindsay, 2013). In a nutshell, design for manufacturing alludes to the process of designing the product with the main objective of making it substantially simpler and easier to manufacture. It is a pivotal manufacturing tooling design as well as process development phase or measure before the making of a new product. Significantly, if the process of design for manufacturing is carried out properly and effectively, it will guarantee quality and also productivity. DFM makes certain that the product can be manufactured, and it influences the look, texture, and also accuracy and function of the product (Grover, 2010).
A product that I am familiar with is a television. The following are significant design guidelines for facilitating the improvement of manufacturability and therefore improving quality and reducing cost.
1. Reducing the total number of parts of the television
Reducing the number of parts in this product is conceivably an ideal prospect for decreasing manufacturing expenses. Notably, having fewer parts means fewer procurements, inventories, handling, assembling, development, and processing and also decreased time for engineering, servicing, and also testing.
2. Developing and advancing a modular product design
The utilization of modules in television designing, streamlines, and shortens the manufacturing activities of the product, including scrutiny, testing, assembly, procurement, remodeling, maintenance, service, and others. A fundamental reason is that modules facilitate increased adaptability and flexibility to product updates in the remodeling process. Also, the modules assist in running tests before the ultimate product assembly process is undertaken, and permit the utilization of standard constituents to curtail product disparities.
3. Use of standard constituents or parts
Using standard parts in manufacturing the television is cheaper compared to using parts that are custom made. The high accessibility of these constituents diminishes lead times for the product. Also, the dependability aspects of these product parts are well established. What is more, the employment of these parts alludes to the manufacturing strain to the supplier, partly discharging the manufacture's worry of meeting production timelines.
4. Designing and manufacturing product parts to be multi-functional
Significantly, multi-functional components diminish the total number of components in product design; therefore, attaining the benefits above. For instance, in the television as a product, components can function not only as electrical conductors but also as key structural parts.
5. Designing and manufacturing product parts for multi-use
Within a manufacturing company, various product items can use similar components that have been designed specifically for multiple uses. These components have similar or dissimilar functions when utilized in various product items. To accomplish this, it is essential to pinpoint the parts that are appropriate for multiple uses
6. Curtailing assembly directions
For the most part, in order to alleviate the expenses incurred in manufacturing, it is essential for the assembling process of all parts to be undertaken in one direction. For instance, in the production of televisions, the most ideal way of adding the different components of the product is from above. The reason for this approach is because the gravitational impacts facilitate assembling.
7. Ensuring Compliance
It is conceivable for mistakes to take place during production and assemble processes owing to the dissimilarities in the dimensions of the parts and also the precisions of the utilized positioning implements. This faulty conducts can create damage to the different parts and also to the product itself. Therefore, it is essential to incorporate compliance in designing the different parts of the television and also during the assembling process.
8. Curtailing handling
The process of handling comprises of guaranteeing positioning, adjusting, and setting the parts of the television. During this process, the product uses symmetrical components when conceivable to evade failures. Also, the most suitable and safe form of packing for the product is selected (Wysk, Hsu-Pin, and Chang, 1991).
Question 3
Key Customer Requirements
The product selected for this question is a vehicle. The table below explicates the key customer requirements, including the primary, secondary, and tertiary customer requirements for a vehicle.
Primary Customer Requirements
Secondary Customer Requirements
Tertiary Customer Requirements

Material and Functions
Quality of Material

Effective functionality
Quality of material

Environmental friendly

Texture of material

Hard to face wear and tear

Well fitted and reliable engine

Proper functionality of various vehicle parts

Passenger Comfort
Easy accessibility
User friendly

Additional features

Rigid material

Flexible design for the different ports

Comfortable seats

Proper ergonomics


Noise, pollution, and vibration


Good Appearance
Fit
The material will not fade in the long run

The attractive design of the model

Easy to clean

Proper paint and no stains


Trim



Clean




Key Technical Requirements
The following are a few of the critical technical requirements for a vehicle:
1. Functional engine
2. Properly working breaks and suspension
3. Washer lights and tail lights
4. Efficient air filtering
5. Proper tire inflation and condition
6. A clean exhaust system
Matrix Using QFD Format
Quality Function Department (QFD) can be utilized as an implement to prioritize significant directions offering a prospective for improvement in line with the desires and requirements of the consumers. Therefore, QFD provides a methodical approach to facilitate the process of design decision making (Haron and Kairudin, 2012).z C V Quality Function Department uses four different matrices to properly determine relationships between the functions of the company and consumer satisfaction. This technique can be used at each phase of product development for both technical and non-technical products to decipher customer necessities and requirements into technical and product definite properties. The objective is to make products that accurately match customer needs and desires and to pinpoint serious developments at an initial stage (Youssef et al., 2007).
The customer characteristics, engineering features, and technical specifications are incorporated into the house of quality. Consequently, this relationship matrix will be beneficial in gaining insight into the strong and weak points of the car. This information will be beneficial to the manufacturer to comprehend where the improvement is necessitated and satisfy the customer.
Planning and Comparisons
Customer Attributes
Competitive Data / Targets
Inter-relationships Matrix
Engineering Features
Roof








Customer Requirements
Weighing
External Properties



Use
Function
Weight
Corrosion Resistance

Quality of material
8
7
56
8
64
10
80
10
80

Environmental friendly
6
8
48
8
48
1
6
10
60

Texture of material
4
3
12
6
24
1
4
10
40

Hard to face wear and tear
8
9
72
6
48
1
8
10
80

Well fitted and reliable engine
10
9
90
10
100
10
100
10
100

Proper functionality of various vehicle parts
10
9
90
10
90
2
20
10
100

User friendly
8
8
64
9
72
2
18
1
8

Additional features
6
4
24
6
36
10
60
1
6

Rigid material
7
4
28
8
56
10
70
10
70

Flexible design for the different ports
4
4
16
7
28
10
40
1
4

Comfortable seats
6
7
42
6
36
2
12
1
6

Proper ergonomics
6
6
36
6
36
1
6
1
6



Question 4
Fishbone Diagram
Karou Ishikawa is famously known for the inception of the fishbone shaped diagram, which is also dubbed as the Ishikawa or cause and effect diagram (Charantimath, 2003). The notion is implemented to enhance the execution and accomplishment of teams and groups in ascertaining the probable origin of their quality issues. The principles advanced by Ishikawa are based and founded on the concept of total quality that is fronted by Armand Feigenbaum. Ishikawa goes on to insist that all personnel and workers in the company have a significant role to play, asserting that excessive dependence on the quality professional would restrict any prospective improvement (Hakes, 1991).
Ishikawa insisted on the significance of sustenance and guidance from members of the top levels of management (Naagarazan, 2005). He incessantly advised top-level administrators to gain training and education in quality control, bearing in mind that, without the backing of the administration, these courses would eventually be unsuccessful. He strained that for a firm to attain success, it would take the absolute and constant commitment from the entire levels of personnel in the firm. A fishbone diagram also referred to as a cause and effect diagram, can be beneficial in brainstorming in ascertaining prospective causes of a problem and in sorting ideas into useful classifications. A fishbone diagram is a visual manner to examine cause and effect. It is a more methodical technique compared to other tools that are accessible for brainstorming causes of a particular issue (Kerzner, 2003).
The following is a fishbone diagram explicating the key causes of quality defects in Toyota, which is one of the renowned car manufacturing companies in the world:





Poor assembling
Lack of competency
PROCEDURES
PEOPLE
QUALITY
DEFECTS

Poor material quality

Poor collaboration of different departments
Poor parts manufacturing

Inadequate testing and analysis
Poor project management

Lack of efficient machinery
Environmentally unfriendly

Poor functionality
EQUIPMENT
MATERIAL
Easy wear and tear

Outdated equipment





The key underlying factors causing quality defects can be categorized into four different classifications, including material, equipment, people, and procedures. Regarding people, some of the issues include poor teamwork from different departments, poor project management, and also lack of competency. Secondly, regarding material, the major issues comprise vehicle raw materials that are environmentally unfriendly, wear and tear problems and also lack of quality. Third, there is the category of procedures, and this comprises of major concerns that comprise of poor assembling and parts manufacturing and also improper testing and analysis. Finally, there is also a category of equipment. The underlying issues comprise poor functioning equipment, inefficient equipment, and also out-datedness.
Conclusion
This paper examines different key aspects of quality management. To begin with, the product development process takes into account all the phases that necessitated taking a product from its conceptualization phase to its availability in the marketplace. In the case of a MacBook Pro being produced and retailed by Apple Inc., different phases include designing, the formation of a new product team, Apple New product Process, product review, product redesign, assessment and feedback, and then finally product launching. Design for manufacturing guarantees that the product is effortlessly and economically manufactured. In the case of television, some of the guidelines comprise reduced product parts, the establishment of modular designs, standard parts, having multi-functional product parts, and also parts that can be employed for multiple uses. Developed by Karou Ishikawa, a fishbone diagram is a cause and effect diagram that is beneficial in brainstorming in ascertaining prospective causes of a problem and in sorting ideas into useful classifications. Some of the key causes of quality defects in Toyota include poor parts manufacturing, poor functionality, outdated equipment, poor material quality, easy wear, and tear, in addition to lack of competency and poor collaboration between various departments.


References
Hill, C. W., Jones, G. R., & Schilling, M. A. (2014). Strategic management: theory: an integrated approach. Cengage Learning.
Panzarino, M. (2012). This is how Apple's top-secret product development process works. The Next Web. Retrieved from: https://thenextweb.com/apple/2012/01/24/this-is-how-apples-top-secret-product-development-process-works/
Interaction Design Foundation. (2020). Apple's Product Development Process – Inside the World's Greatest Design Organization. Retrieved from: https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/apple-s-product-development-process-inside-the-world-s-greatest-design-organization
Menear, H. (2019). Inside the Apple product development cycle. Gigabit Magazine. Retrieved from: https://www.gigabitmagazine.com/mobile/inside-apple-product-development-cycle
Groover, M. P. (2010). Fundamentals of modern manufacturing: materials processes, and systems. John Wiley & Sons.
Evans, J. R., & Lindsay, W. M. (2013). Managing for quality and performance excellence. Cengage Learning.
Kerzner, H. (2003). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling (8th ed.). Hoboken: Wiley.
Youssef, C., Wäldele, M., & Herbert, B. (2007). QFD–a link between customer requirements and product properties. Guidelines for a Decision Support Method Adapted to NPD Processes.
Haron, N. Z., & Kairudin, F. L. M. (2012). The application of quality function deployment (QFD) in the design phase of industrialized building system (IBS) apartment construction project. European International Journal of Science and Technology, 1(3), 56-66.
Naagarazan, R.S. (2005). Total Quality Management. New Delhi: New Age International Limited Publishers.
Hakes, C. (1991). Total Quality Management: The key to business improvement. London: Chapman & Hall.
Charantimath, P. (2003). Total Quality Management. India: Dorling Kindersley.
Wysk, R. A., Hsu-Pin, W., & Chang, T. C. (1991). Computer-Aided Manufacturing. Tien-Chien chang Richard, 596.