Laatutekijänä

Laatutekijänä is a Finnish expression used in discussions of quality management. Literally, it combines laat u (quality) and tekijä (maker/actor) and translates roughly as “as a quality factor” or “as a driver of quality.” The form laatutekijänä is used to describe a person, process, technology, or another element that contributes to the overall quality of a product, service, or outcome.

In practice, laatutekijänä functions as a descriptive label identifying factors that influence quality. It is commonly used in corporate reports, project proposals, and academic texts to point to the element that can be managed to improve quality. Examples include design decisions, supplier performance, manufacturing processes, training, or organizational culture. Statements such as “laatutekijänä toimii …” attribute the quality role to a particular factor or agent.

Relation to formal standards is indirect: laatutekijänä is not a formal term in standards like ISO 9001, but rather a practical, contextual phrasing aligned with continuous improvement, risk-based thinking, and stakeholder satisfaction. Its usage emphasizes accountability for quality outcomes and helps structure discussions around responsibility and improvement actions.

See also: laatu, laadunhallinta, laatuvarmistus, laatujohtaminen, laatuun liittyvät mittarit.