Cilësie

Cilësie, rendered in English as quality, refers to the set of inherent properties and characteristics of an object, service, person, or process that determine its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs. The term encompasses both the excellence of a thing and its fitness for purpose. In everyday usage, cilësie can describe material attributes as well as subjective impressions of value or reliability.

Etymology: The concept traces to Latin qualitatem and was transmitted to Albanian through European languages. In Albanian, forms such as cilësia (the quality) and cilësitë (the qualities) are used to denote general or particular qualities of entities.

Dimensions: Quality is multidimensional. Common dimensions include performance, reliability, durability, conformance to specifications, safety, aesthetics, and serviceability. Distinctions are made between objective quality (measurable properties) and perceived quality (user judgment). Different fields prioritize different dimensions; for software, usability and maintainability matter, while manufacturing emphasizes conformance and reliability.

Measurement and management: Quality is maintained through systematic approaches such as quality assurance and quality control within a quality management system. International standards — notably ISO 9001 — guide practices for setting requirements, inspecting products, and improving processes. Quality assessment combines testing, audits, benchmarks, and user feedback to maximize value while controlling cost and risk.

See also: quality management, quality assurance, quality control, ISO 9001, qualitative vs quantitative.