Quality function deployment QFD: benefits and limitations when applied to designing myoelectric prosthesis hand

Quality, cost and time spent in developing products have a direct impact on a company’s productivity, market share and profitability. Greater attention must be paid to quality and quicker responses made as customers become more aware of satisfying their longings. This means that a company must be first in delivering a product or service which customers desire if it wishes to gain and maintain market share. A company’s market share and profit margin will depend on the balance and optimization achieved between quality, cost and time. It is thus important to implant a method like Quality Function Deployment (QFD) leading to planning product development during early design stages and consequently establish such equilibrium. This article’s purpose is to present benefits and limitations regarding QFD; one should be aware of them and QFD development when identifying the most viable to be applied according to each company’s inherent characteristics.