Quality KPIs in Manufacturing

What are Quality KPIs in Manufacturing

Among the many manufacturing metrics collected in a factory are those that relate to quality control. Measuring the quality of the goods produced is crucial to understanding how efficient the production process is and identifying areas for improvement.

Poor quality products will lead to unhappy customers, a less than stellar brand reputation, and, ultimately, lower revenues. This makes it especially important to carefully monitor and track KPIs that relate specifically to the quality of the products being produced. 

How to Use Quality KPIs in Manufacturing

All production performance metrics are used to determine how well a factory is operating overall. KPI metrics in manufacturing are chosen based on each specific factory’s situation and goals, with the data gathered then used to inform an action plan in response to any issues that arise. 

The most successful manufacturers tend to be those that have built a reputation for providing high quality goods. These factories instill in their workers the need to focus on quality with an emphasis on minimizing defective products. Quality assurance KPIs in manufacturing are used specifically to measure how well products are meeting the relevant standards. Automated dashboards can be used to give factory managers a real-time view of manufacturing metrics, with full visibility into product quality and analytics that can help them create an action plan to solve problems.  

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Examples of Quality KPIs in Manufacturing

When factory managers set production goals, there are many manufacturing KPI metrics to factor in. Some of these KPIs relate specifically to quality control with each metric measuring a different component. Following are examples of key quality control KPIs in manufacturing that companies can use to track the quality of their products in different ways:

• Inspection results – products are inspected as they come off the production line to make sure they meet the specifications. This KPI measures which products are passing and failing inspections over time.

• Defect tracking – by tracking the defects that show up in products, managers can begin to understand the root cause of the problems causing the defects and can then work to solve the problems. Comparing defect rates across product lines can help determine which products are more successful and which may need to be evaluated. 

• Machine-identified quality – product defects may occur due to operator error,  too much wear and tear or other issues with the machine itself. It is possible to track defects caused by the machine in order to identify which machines need to be serviced. 

• Return rates – when a product is not accepted by the purchaser and is sent back to the manufacturer, it comes at a cost, especially if this happens repeatedly. Tracking the rate at which products are returned and the reasons why (i.e. defective product, non-compliance with standards, wrong order, etc.) means being able to address the root cause and prevent additional returns. 

• Right first time – of the many production performance metrics, knowing how many products came out perfectly with no defects on the very first try is an important one. This metric can be compared across product lines making it clear which product lines are working well as a whole and which have challenges that need to be investigated. 

A factory’s reputation is dependent on the quality of the goods it produces. Tracking quality assurance KPIs in manufacturing plants across all industries is key to ensuring that the goods produced are the best they can be.