Laatukaari

Laatukaari is a Finnish term that translates to "quality curve" or "quality arc." It generally refers to a visual representation or a conceptual framework used to illustrate the development and maintenance of quality over time or through a process. This concept is often employed in contexts related to manufacturing, product development, service improvement, and project management.

The laatukaari can depict how quality levels change, ideally improving, from the initial stages of design and development through production, delivery, and post-sale support. It can also illustrate the stages of quality assurance and control activities. For instance, a typical laatukaari might show initial quality challenges during early prototyping, followed by a period of improvement as issues are identified and resolved, and finally a plateau or gradual increase in quality as processes become optimized and mature.

In essence, the laatukaari serves as a tool for understanding, monitoring, and strategizing quality efforts. It helps organizations to identify critical points where quality interventions are most needed and to track the effectiveness of their quality improvement initiatives. While the specific shape and metrics of a laatukaari can vary depending on the industry and application, its core purpose remains consistent: to provide a clear and comprehensible overview of the quality journey.