Final answer:
The traditional approach to quality in production focused on an inspection-based method, where defects were identified and eliminated after the completion of work. It often resulted in rework and waste, contrasting with modern quality philosophies that emphasize quality integration throughout the production process.
Step-by-step explanation:
The traditional approach to quality was to check work after it was completed and then eliminate defects. In this context, the main answer would be 'inspection-based' or 'quality control.' This method operates on the premise that problems can be fixed after production by inspecting the finished products and removing the defective items from the batch before they reach the customer. This approach often involves a significant amount of rework and waste, as defects are only identified at the end of the production process.Explanation in more than 100 words: Historically, engineers focused on the attributes of the product, ensuring that products met certain standards and specifications. However, prototypes were often not tested adequately, potentially leading to a higher number of defects and subsequent quality issues. In contrast, modern quality approaches, such as Total Quality Management (TQM) or Six Sigma, stress the importance of building quality into the process from the beginning and evaluating the quality of a design before, during, and after production to prevent defects. This proactive stance on quality is aimed at reducing waste, improving customer satisfaction, and lowering costs in the long run.Conclusion: While the traditional method relied heavily on inspection to catch flaws, contemporary quality methods emphasize prevention, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction as a more effective strategy for achieving high-quality products or services.