Do I need software to do QFD?
The answer is NOT necessarily.
Modern Blitz QFD®, developed by the QFD Institute for today's agile, global, and tech-infused businesses, can be done without any matrix.
When matrices are needed, Modern QFD replaces the resource-consuming, big complex matrices such as a House of Quality with easy-to-use, agile, simpler analytic tables that are included on the QFD Institute's templates as a part of course materials.
These QFDI templates are created by the world authority on ISO 16355 QFD using peer-reviewed sound math, techniques, and current best practices that are updated every year. Since no software installation is required and hands-on practice is including in the course, QFD Institute's QFD Green Belt® training is a low cost alternative to dedicated QFD software packages that were created by developers of no or little QFD credentials.
Best ISO 16355 QFD Templates
Attendees of QFD Green Belt® and QFD Black Belt® public courses receive QFD Institute's ISO 16355 QFD templates and exemplary generic case studies as part of their course materials. These include Modern QFD tools, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and a mathematically sound House of Quality matrix (HoQ). Students can learn how to use them correctly and effectively in the classroom using a project from their own work. These templates do not require installation of special software.
The QFDI templates reflect the most up-to-date best practice Modern QFD and ISO 16355 standard, using correct weight / prioritization math that is essential for sound analysis and successful outcome of your New Product Development, Voice of Customer analysis, and Design for Lean/Six Sigma (DFLS / DFSS) projects.
Those who have graduated from the QFD Institute's courses (with a full status or provisional Certificate) can obtain the latest version of the templates as well as training materials whenever they attend QFD Green Belt® Update and QFD Black Belt® Update Courses.
What is wrong with commercial software?
Virtually all commercially available "QFD software" and free "online download" use obsolete deployment models and invalid math. The creators of these products may have never received proper QFD / ISO 16355 training. They are as novice as those who happened to read a couple of books about QFD.
Relying on such templates and software for your expensive professional project can be highly risky; they may unwittingly lead you to wrong project directions and eventually a costly failure, let alone hours of your hard work and company resources wasted.
Why can't I use software to guide me?
We often receive inquiries from people regarding QFD software. It is usually their limited exposure of QFD that has led them to believe that it is a "cookie cutter" process for whatever data they input, some software will give a meaningful output.
"Of course, we all want something we can just dump data into and get answers out. Sorry, there is no such software that will keep your company unique and competitive," says Glenn Mazur, executive director of QFD Institute. If there were, your company would not need to keep you in employment.
While there are many uses for matrices (knowledge management, for example), virtually all QFD software available for sale or free QFD online download sites confuse the 'House of Quality matrix' for QFD, and they all rely on outdated improper math that may cause your analysis and downstream deployments to become invalid and consequently even detrimental to project success.
QFD is a quality methodology; it requires quality thinking. It is very flexible due to its breadth and depth, so that what works for one company may be inappropriate for another. Ideally, QFD should be custom-tailored for each company. Thus, relying on software to do a QFD project for you or teach you QFD can be very risky and wasteful if you are not able to tell whether the QFD model in the software is valid for your project or not.
Conclusion
Before you purchase a commercial QFD software product, we recommend you at least first take a public QFD Green Belt® Training to familiarize yourself with good QFD / ISO 16355 basics, so that you will be able to select the best tool option for your project. For questions concerning your project and use of software, please contact the QFD Institute.
Extra caution should be paid especially to free software and templates that are found online, as they might contain not only inadequate QFD deployment and methods. Please educate yourself with correct QFD knowledge first.