produktkvalitetsstyring

Produktkvalitet, or product quality, is the degree to which a product satisfies the needs and expectations of users while conforming to applicable standards and regulations. It includes how well the product performs its intended function, how long it lasts, how safe it is, and how it feels to the user. Because expectations vary across markets and applications, the assessment of product quality is inherently multidimensional.

Several dimensions are commonly used to describe produktkvalitet: conformance to specifications; performance and reliability; durability and maintainability; safety; aesthetics and usability; and perceived quality or brand credibility. Different industries assign different weights to these dimensions depending on risk, cost, and user needs.

Quality management aims to ensure product quality through planned processes. Distinctions are made between quality control, which inspects products after production, and quality assurance, which builds quality into processes. International standards such as ISO 9001 provide frameworks for quality management systems, while methodologies like Six Sigma and lean manufacturing focus on reducing variation and waste. The cost of quality includes prevention, appraisal, and failure costs.

Quality is built throughout the product lifecycle: during design and development, through supplier qualification and incoming material checks, in manufacturing controls, and via testing and field feedback. Post-market surveillance and continuous improvement programs help address issues discovered after launch and drive ongoing quality enhancements.

For manufacturers, strong produktkvalitet supports customer satisfaction, reduces returns and liabilities, and strengthens competitive advantage. For regulators and consumers, it signals safety, reliability, and value. Product quality thus remains a central objective across industries and supply chains.