Using QFD to Develop New and Improved Products to Combat the Spread of COVID-19

Module Learning Outcomes

This Assignment assesses the following module Learning Outcomes (from Definitive Module Document):

To enable the students to:

1. Explore product development in a business context in terms of the product specifications, standards, life cycle assessment and functions of manufacturing industry;

3. Reflect the need for high ethical conduct in the context of product development;

4. Analyse competitive forces influencing product and business decisions;

6. Evaluate alternative product strategies individually and/or in a group.

Assignment Brief:

In this module, you have studied the Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methodology and the associated House of Quality method that is used to help transform customer inputs/voice into engineering characteristics for a product.

For this assignment, you are required to apply the House of Quality method and critically discuss the outputs that you would expect from a QFD evaluation.

Due to some reported issues regarding stress, failure, time, among other challenges facing some already existing or traditional products in the United Kingdom, especially during coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many engineering companies are interested in developing the following improved products A-E (Table 1). These innovative and revolutionary products are new to the market.

Specifically, you are required to give a technical presentation introducing the ONLY ASSIGNED new product, using QFD. Research and use the following six basic steps recommended for building the House of Quality:

(a) identify what customer wants (state up to 10 possible customer needs for assigned product ONLY,

(b) identify how the product will satisfy the customer,

(c) identify relationships between ‘how’s’,

(d) develop importance ratings,

(e) evaluate competing products or services, and

(f) determine the desirable technical attributes.

They must have touch-screen face that allows patients to record messages and send them to doctors. It must limit the amount of direct contact doctors and nurses have with coronavirus (COVID-19) patients, thus reducing the risk of infection. Also, they must help the hospital to limit the number of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as protective masks, gloves and gowns that staff have to use.

In addition, it must not subject to exhaustion. With a quick charge of batteries, they should be back at work in the ward.

Head Personal Protective Equipment (PPE20+) They must have lightweight, disinfected and low-cost transparent eye glasses, noses and ears protectors against the spread of COVID-19. The effective hearing, breathing and vision of the users must not be tampered/affected, as a result of using the PPE-20+.

They must have capability to detect the movement of people during lockdown period especially during COVID-19 pandemic, among other functions. They must be able to video activities, take pictures, send and give announcements/information, especially to the inhabitants in remote areas/villages.

General Knowledge and Understanding of QFD and House of Quality. 15

The first of the six steps – Identify Customer Needs. 20

The other five steps . 35

Critical discussion of results. 20

Overall Presentation: Effective communication, time management and Referencing.

A note to the Students:

1. For undergraduate modules, a score above 40% represent a pass performance at honours level.

2. For postgraduate modules, a score of 50% or above represents a pass mark.

3. Modules may have several components of assessment and may require a pass in all elements.

For further details, please consult the relevant Module Guide or ask the Module Leader.