Advancements in QFD optimization methods

Abstract

QFD is a systematic process to help companies to focus on customers. The ultimate objective of this thesis is to consummate QFD optimization methodology development for both researchers and practitioners.Two methods were proposed to improve the quality of input of QFD, i.e., ranking customer requirements in a competitive environment and analyzing interrelationship of technical attributes in QFD optimization. Three new QFD optimization approaches were proposed to adapt different situations in product design: dynamic programming approach, applying linear physical programming, and incorporating the Kano model and goal-programming to generate optimal results. A case study was carried out to illustrate the applicability of QFD optimization method. The findings in this thesis indicate that the proposed methods can improve and consummate the current QFD optimization methodology development. This thesis may be valuable to researchers to further advance the QFD methodology. Practitioners could also implement the proposed methods and get improved results.