Quality Issues Which WM Pressing Is Facing - Case Study Example

Table of Contents Introduction 2 Difference between data and information based on Pressing Case 2 Sources of Information for quality issues 3 Key Findings 6 Conclusion 7 References 8 Introduction The report looks to address the different quality issues which WM Pressing is facing. The report at the fore front presents the difference between data and information with regard to different data being provided in the case. This is then followed by the different sources through which information can be gathered about quality checks and issues. The report then addresses the key findings and areas which needs to be addressed and would thereby help the organization to work on areas through which operational activities can be improved. Difference between data and information based on Pressing Case Data and information and interlinked to one another but has differences among itself. Data is raw data which has not been processed and analyzed and doesn’t provide any useful information to the users. Decisions based on raw data are usually ineffective because it is just the culmination of raw data which doesn’t provide the user with any help. Information on the other hand is processed data which has been analyzed and provides information pertaining to different fact and related measures. Decisions taken based on information is helpful as it helps the user to evaluate the different measures and based on it useful information is being taken. WM Pressing presents a case which highlights the differences between data and information. The case highlights issues related to quality issue from customers which has been compiled and presented in a table form. The table hardly provides any useful information apart from the fact that quality issues were raised from different customers. It doesn’t provides information regarding the manufacturers whose products are facing quality issue, the pressing units which are highlighting quality issues which thereby makes the table to be data. A more breakdown of the data into different tables which highlights the manufacturers who are producing low quality products, the manner in which customer complaints have been dealt, the pressing units which are causing problems will help to take useful decisions. Thus, having raw data compiled in a better form which provides the user with the opportunity to take important decisions will ensure that business processing information will improve and would thereby enable to take better decisions. Further, the table which has been compiled doesn’t provide any useful information as it is a mere gathering of numbers which thereby makes the table to be data. Acquiring information from different floor managers and employees helps to convert data into information so that better decisions can be taken. Gathering information from different people helps to ensure that the raw data is given compiled and formulated by giving shape so that useful decisions can be taken based on it. This thereby ensures that the overall value of data is improved and helps to take useful decisions. Thus, there exist wide differences between data and information which has been highlighted in the WM Pressing case. This helps to improve the overall value of taking decisions and ensures that people using information are better placed to take decisions. Data when converted and compiled will help to ensure that raw data is converted into information which will thereby ensure that decisions based on it is sounder and better. The overall value and relevance of decisions will improve and would thereby result in effective business processing. Sources of Information for quality issues Quality issues can be identified from different sources which need to be identified so that steps can be taken to improve it. It is imperative that the sources which are being identified for quality issues is correctly ascertained as it will help to bring the required changes through which improvement in quality can be made. Some of the sources which can be used to gather information pertaining to quality are as Gathering information of quality issue from manufacturer: Information regarding quality issues should be gathered from manufacturer so that the manufacturers who are not able to abide with the quality issues can be identified. This will help to find out the manufacturers and standards can be decided so that quality is improved and the issues which are being raised can be properly dealt with. This process will also look towards identifying the different pressings which are presenting quality issues and look to find out other prospective manufacturer so that quality standards can be improved and better products can be delivered to the customers Gathering information regarding claims made by customers: Information regarding different claims which has been made by customers need to be gathered from the warranty department so that the actual loss can be identified. This will help to understand the different pressings and manufacturers who are defaulting on quality issues and will provide information regarding the response customer have made regarding quality. This source of information will also help to understand the actual scenario as certain customers might have faced quality issues but might not have made a claim which will be analyzed and information will be gathered through which better decisions can be taken in the future. Factory Manager: The manager at the factory can be a good source for inquiring about the quality issues and the defects which the products are having. Since, they are working on the floor and have all the idea and knowledge about the operational business aspect so they are better positioned to provide useful information to the different people. The factory manager can also look at providing information regarding the issues which they are facing, the problems in related to pressing units and dye, the manner in which quality checks are carried out and similar other operations which will help to improve the overall mechanism of carrying out different functions and operations. Quality Manager: Quality manager can be a good source to gather information as all information related to quality can be provided. The quality manager can also look at providing information regarding the issues which they are facing, the problems in related to pressing units and dye, the manner in which quality checks are carried out and similar other operations which will help to improve the overall mechanism of carrying out different functions and operations. Further, the quality manager can provide useful inputs regarding the manner in which business process needs to be changed and the different dimensions which has to be considered so that the overall relevance and value of product improves and better production is carried out. Maintenance Supervisor: The maintenance supervisor can provide useful inputs regarding the quality issues as the manager can look at providing information in relation to production, the production issues, issues related to different pressing units and the overall mechanism through which the business is able to deal with different concerns. This will help to bring changes in the production mechanism and improve the entire process so that the work improves and the quality concerns are reduced. Operator on Shop Floor: The operator on the shop floor is in constant touch with the entire process and can provide useful information regarding the manner in which different operations are carried out. Gathering information from the operator will help to provide useful information which will be true and will help to understand the impact it is having on business. Further, the operator can help to guide the concerned person regarding the areas which needs to be improved and the manner in which operations can be improved. The most important sources will be to carry out investigation with the floor manager, quality manager and maintenance supervisor. Since, they are in direct touch with the product and work in the factory site so they can provide useful information based on which decisions can be taken. Carrying out operations based on their advice and guidance will help to ensure better productivity and improve the mechanism of carrying out different activities. Key Findings WM Pressing is facing issues with regard to quality and needs to take urgent steps to control it so that the brand image of the company is preserved and a mechanism is developed which will help to improve customer satisfaction rate. The following are some of the steps which will be helpful Functionality: Ensure that the different functions of the organization overlap each other as each department otherwise looks towards running away from their responsibility and look to blame others for the quality issue (Lee & Cetinkaya, 2000). Having overlapping functions will bring all the departments together and ensure that they work together to achieve the common goals and will thereby help to improve productivity. Quality Check Programs: Have better standards which match international standards so that quality check is carried out at every level. This will help to improve the level of quality and will ensure that any issues which the production department is facing get solved at the earliest (Stanley, 2006). The process will also ensure that issues are addressed as and when they happen which will thereby help to improve productivity and reduce loss Searching new partners: The organization has to look at tying up with new partners who can provide better quality products so that the level of complaints reduces. This will help the organization as the present suppliers will have fear of losing business and would thereby concentrate towards improving quality (Wayne and Wheeler, 2006). The overall impact of such a decision would be witnessed in better products which are of superior quality Conclusion WM Pressing has to look at addressing the different quality issues which they are facing and have to identify ways through which the overall operational aspect can be improved. This will help to ensure that the business will be able to provide better quality products. Working and having quality check programs along with fixation of responsibilities and better coordination among the different departments will help to improve the overall function and would lead towards ensuring that the business is carried out in a better and productive manner. References Lee, C. & Cetinkaya, S. 2000. Stock Replenishment and Scheduling for Vendor Managed Inventory Systems. Journal of Management Science, 46 (2), 217-232 Wayne M. and Wheeler, D. 2006. ‘‘Making the case for the added-value chain,’’ Strategy & Leadership, 34 (4) Stanley C. Abraham, 2006. 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