Conclusion

Blitz QFD allows you to apply the power of QFD to software, with greater efficiency than traditional QFD approaches. It draws from the early roots of QFD in Japan before 1972, when matrices were not yet common. Blitz QFD was designed to prevent stagnation with low-power "Kindergarten QFD." As you grow in experience with QFD you will follow a migration path to the "House of Quality" matrix, and beyond to more comprehensive QFD.

Blitz QFD takes an end-to-end view of the development process for your project, and seeks to spend scarce person hours on the most important dimensions of your project. It delivers maximum value for the effort invested. This is a good deal for development teams.

Dr. Deming said we must view the development process as a system and look at how we satisfy our customers as an organization. Blitz QFD has precisely that aim: to effectively satisfy the most important needs of our most important customers through the efficient delivery of value. Results to date are exciting, and further refinement is still occurring.

Modern QFD in the DFTS Process

QFD is a key methodology in DFTS and is shown in Figure 11.15 in its critical role. Central to successful DFTS deployment is the understanding of the central role Blitz QFD plays for customer responsiveness. Modern QFD is deployed across the whole DFTS process to ensure that the software development process remains customer focused and that value is adequately analyzed and addressed throughout the various phases of software development. The focus of QFD changes in different phases according to the objectives of those phases. Other tools, techniques, and methodologies are utilized in one or more phases of the DFTS process as needed. QFD's value as a quality management methodology enhances tremendously when used effectively and in conjunction with other quality management systems, including the following:

• Pugh Analysis and TRIZ: Concept Selection and Creativity (Chapter 12)

• FMEA and FTA: Risk Analysis and Prevention (Chapter 13)

• Taguchi Methods: Design Optimization (Chapters 2, 16, and 17)

Figure 11.15. QFD and DFTS. This is an example of how QFD can drive the DFTS process where it is critical to satisfy customers with not only the content of the software, but also the process of development.

DFTS is a robust total product development methodology that includes other systems in addition to QFD. Some of the tools and techniques introduced in this book include B7, 7 MP, AHP, poka yoke, 5S, Object and Component Technologies, Software Quality Metrics (SQM), quality measures, and statistical methods.