Gæðamiss

Gæðamiss is an Icelandic term used in quality management to describe the loss or degradation of quality in a product, process, or service relative to a defined standard. It covers defects, nonconformities, deviations from specifications, or outcomes that do not meet customer expectations. The concept is used to frame how quality shortfalls translate into costs, risk, and customer dissatisfaction.

Measurement and scope: Gæðamiss is typically quantified with metrics such as defect rate, yield, scrap or rework, warranty costs, or customer complaints. In manufacturing, it appears as batches failing to meet specifications or requiring corrective actions; in services, as errors, delays, or suboptimal outcomes. The idea is closely linked to the broader cost of quality, which includes prevention, appraisal, and failure costs.

Causes and management: Common sources include material variability, process drift and equipment wear, calibration errors, design flaws, supplier quality issues, and human factors. Effective management relies on statistical process control, regular quality audits, failure modes and effects analyses (FMEA), root-cause analysis, and corrective or preventive actions. Techniques such as poka-yoke, standardized work, and supplier development are used to reduce gæðamiss.

Relation to theory: The concept resembles established quality-loss ideas in quality engineering, where deviation from target or specifications incurs economic or reputational loss, motivating efforts to minimize variation.