QFD has diverse techniques and tools.

The key for success is knowing which ones are best for your specific application, project, and business strategy, as well as using the tools in the correct sequence to maximize their usefulness.

For example, classical House of Quality (HoQ) or 4-phase matrices may not be appropriate today for technology-driven and IT projects that require agile and out-of-box innovative solutions.

Imitating the QFD method found in books or someone else's examples —without first having solid QFD training— can result in serious errors in analysis, unnecessary downstream deployments, and wasted resources.

It is important to you to see that the new project develop in the right direction from the start and that sound voice of customer analysis is done to ensure incorporation of top priority needs — before costly, late changes in design and process are required.

We recommend learning the current best practices, as set forth in the new ISO 16355, taught in the public QFD Green Belt® and QFD Black Belt® trainings. We also invite you to contact us for questions you might have about using QFD, as well as to inquire about in-company training and private consultation.

Here are a few of the most common QFD techniques and tools.

Modern QFD

Developed by the QFD Institute to address the Four S's (speedy, smart, slim, sustainable) of today's lean business environment, Modern QFD identifies the minimum QFD effort required with the optimum tools and sequence, making QFD more efficient and sustainable in today’s businesses. It has new, rigorous front-end Voice of Customer tools for faster, easier in-depth analysis and upgraded math for meeting the mathematical rigor demanded by six sigma precision. It conforms to the ISO 16355 draft.

Blitz QFD®

This technique focuses on "value" discovery and "speed." It is especially valuable in IT and software applications that demand faster, focused, agile product development and legacy risk consideration. This technique is integrated in the QFD Green Belt® training.

Reverse QFD

When your requirements start with specifications provided by the customer (especially in B2B suppliers), or when your Voice of Customer (VOC) data contain explicit product features and specifications and unrevealed customer needs, Reserve QFD technique can first identify key customers and their needs, and then drive "market-in QFD" in order to fine tune the product and create real value. This advanced technique is taught in QFD Black Belt® training.

Comprehensive QFD

This expands the system of QFD across the entire organization, encompassing all levels of business functions from top management strategy, project portfolio management, system level design, R&D, detailed design, testing, down to day-to-day operations, ongoing support, and product retirement. This advanced technique is taught in QFD Black Belt® training. This conforms to the ISO 16355.

Custom-tailored QFD

This optimizes QFD for your organization to improve sustainable staff compliance and long-term benefits. It can be fully integrated with Stage-Gate™, Design for Lean Sigma, Design for Six Sigma, Kansei Engineering (Lifestyle QFD), Hoshin and other innovation methods. This conforms to the ISO 16355 draft. Please contact QFD Institute to inquire.