qualité

Qualité is the degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfills requirements and expectations. In French, the term also denotes the attributes or features of something, or its excellence. Philosophically and practically, quality can refer to intrinsic properties of a thing as well as its fitness for use in a given context.

Etymology and scope: from Latin qualitas, via Old French, the word entered modern usage to describe either the nature of a thing or its level of superiority. In everyday French, qualité covers both measurable properties and valued characteristics, such as qualité du produit or qualité de vie.

Measurement and management: In industry and services, quality relates to meeting customer requirements and improving satisfaction. Quality assurance focuses on preventing defects by improving processes; quality control inspects outputs to identify defects. Organizations often implement quality management systems (QMS) based on standards such as ISO 9001, which specify requirements for a systematic approach to quality management. Other methods include Six Sigma, Lean, and Total Quality Management (TQM). The cost of quality includes prevention, appraisal, and failure costs.

Context and usage: Qualité is used across domains—from manufacturing to education and public services—to denote conformance, reliability, safety, and value. Phrases such as qualité intrinsèque and qualité perçue reflect different assessment levels. In social terms, qualité de vie means quality of life, illustrating a broader semantic scope.

Related topics include quality management, quality assurance, quality control, ISO 9001, and Six Sigma.