Quality Techniques – Part 2
The Learning Outcomes for this written assessment are:
This assignment is primarily aligned with the objective of the course – apply the most essential quality
and reliability tools but it also helps to improve your ability to judge the applicability of any proposed
process, strategy, or methodology for using the fundamental concepts from Quality Techniques
module.
Alternative Assessment – Part 2: Reliability

1. A company that designs Automatic Braking Systems (ABS) in the automotive industry has
   introduced Six Sigma to improve product quality. Over the 2 years of application of Six Sigma
   (SS) the company has made financial savings through reducing manufacturing defects.
   However, the defect rate is still unacceptably high.
   a) Discuss a supplementary methodology to Six Sigma that is more applicable when designing new
   or existing products. Explain how this methodology could help reduce the pump defect rate
   (30 marks)
   b) A new ABS is being developed by the company for a new customer; this new product design has
   incorporated new technology, new features and has different environmental conditions to
   previous products, suggest a reliability plan and discuss how the company can ensure improved
   reliability for its customer. Use the product life cycle for the timescales in your plan. You should
   discuss the tasks that you have suggested in your plan and critique the key reliability tools that
   would ensure optimization of the new design for reliability. You do not need to implement the
   tools but explain which tools you think would be most appropriate and justify your choice.
   (70 marks)
   You should refer to data and information from journals or books to support your answer and
   include examples to illustrate your points.