Integration of quality function deployment and process management in the semiconductor industry

Abstract

This study integrates quality function deployment (QFD) with process-management techniques to optimize product design investment, process improvement, and phase-in to meet customers’ requirements and company goals. QFD uses systematized multi-levelled development and evaluation to translate customer requirements into product and process design in a manner that satisfies customers and prevents potential failure costs. Process management, which is one of the pivotal Six Sigma implementation criteria, is used in the present study to construct an integrated product and process development (IPPD) model to promote the effectiveness and benefits of applying QFD techniques. This study provides insights into the integrated model's applicability and suitability in the semiconductor industry.

Keywords:

• quality function deployment
• QFD
• semiconductor industry
• process management
• voice of customer
• customer satisfaction

Acknowledgment

The author thanks the management team from the NPD department of L company for its valuable assistance. This study was partly supported by the National Science Council, Taiwan (project number: NSC95-2221-E-020-029-).