Final answer:
Total Quality Management (TQM) is a methodology that seeks to reduce defects to a minimum but acknowledges that zero defects may not be always feasible. It aims for continuous improvement and includes strategies like just-in-time delivery to maintain high-quality standards. Ignoring known defects can lead to major liabilities for manufacturers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Total Quality Management (TQM) is a comprehensive and structured approach to organizational management that seeks to improve the quality of products and services through ongoing refinements in response to continuous feedback. TQM does not allow for defects intentionally; the methodology's aim is to reduce defects to a minimum. However, it acknowledges that in practice, zero defects might not be feasible and focuses on continuous improvement. A factory manager tracking the rate of defects, as indicated by the number of expected defects in Table 11.5, would utilize TQM principles to reduce this number over time. The process typically includes measures such as quality control in a just-in-time delivery system which emphasizes detecting issues immediately before they can impact a large batch of products, ensuring high-quality standards are upheld.
A counter-example situation, like the one in the automotive sector mentioned, clearly demonstrates that not adhering to quality standards, especially when defects are known, can lead to severe consequences both for consumers and the manufacturer. In this case, not addressing a known issue with the brake system resulted in substantial liability for the manufacturer.
To evaluate the quality of a design, metrics such as safety, functionality, and reliability are considered, where defective prototypes would typically be identified and redesigned. While exact protocols may vary, the essence of TQM is in continual improvement and responding to identified defects before they reach the consumer.