Quality control: 5 essential indicators

Quality is an essential value for any company that wants to sustain itself over time and build customer loyalty. However, reaching this level is not easy if we don't work with indicators that guide us to know if we are taking the right actions to offer a good product or service. In this article, you will discover the 5 main indicators for quality control.

<<<Products: How to establish a procedure for quality control>>>

Quality control indicators are tools used to measure and monitor the performance of a company and are among the main types of process performance indicators, or the famous KPIs (Key Performance Indicators).

In management processes, indicators are managers best friends as they measure the difference between the desired situation (goal) and the current situation (result). They point the way and are an essential reference for growth.

Quality KPIs can be diversified and have the function of measuring the end result through predefined standards. For example, a company guarantees 100% on-time deliveries. That is a quality indicator.

When using quality control indicators, it is extremely important to periodically access accurate, reliable, and trustworthy data in order to know the status of your production process and the end result, which will be the products your customers will consume.

Having quality control over your products will help you solve distribution problems, improve the quality of your batch, and achieve greater efficiency in your customer service, thus avoiding future customer complaints.

What are the advantages of quality indicators?

Before discussing quality indicators, think about what you can do with them to drive the desired results and better satisfy your customers:

• Drive improvements.
• Carry out proper planning.
• Obtain information to aid decision-making.
• Achieve quick responsiveness to critical issues.
• Make better use of resources.
• Improve service quality.

Next, we will present some KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) as examples of quality assurance to help your business progress.

<<<ISO 9001 Certification: Its consequences in the continuous improvement of processes>>>

Key performance indicators for quality control.

After understanding the many benefits you can gain by incorporating quality control indicators, in this section, we highlight some of the most important ones that ensure the efficiency of your production process and the state of your products.

1. Efficiency Indicator - Productivity.

This indicator measures how many resources are needed to carry out production. With this diagnosis, it is possible to identify waste that should be avoided and allow for greater productivity.

It is important to know the number of times something needs to be redone or a resource used during a process, for example. This directly affects budget reviews and delivery schedules.

How is this quality KPI calculated? By adopting production management software (with modules for raw material purchasing, costs, delivery time, etc.).

2. Impact Indicator: Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty.

Conducting research to determine if customers are satisfied, if they would buy again, and if they would recommend your service is imperative for the success of your business. How is this quality KPI calculated? Ideally, you should go directly to the source.

Conduct thorough customer research to study the strength of your product or service in the market. The best idea is to send a satisfaction survey via email (quick, objective, and concise) or use automated survey platforms that employ methodologies like NPS.

3. Effectiveness Indicator - Value.

How do you know if your product or service really works? This indicator will help you understand the influence and relevance of what you offer in the lives of customers.

How is this quality KPI calculated? Satisfaction and market research are good options for defining indicators. You should stay informed about news in your industry as well as your competitors.

4. Customer Service Indicator: Customer Complaints.

Customers are the business thermometer. If they complain a lot, it's a sign that things are not going well. Take control of the organization internally as this is reflected externally.

Ensure that the "gears" of the company are functioning properly and that employees perform their tasks successfully and strive to provide the best service. How is this quality KPI calculated? Pay attention to the after-sales service.

Build a friendly relationship and care about your customers, even after closing the deal. This way, you will earn their loyalty, and your company will enjoy a good reputation in the market.

Another important point that is increasingly discussed is the customer experience. You need to understand consumer behavior to create a memorable experience for them. This should become a priority because the happier your customer is with the brand, the more loyal they will be.

5. Safety Indicator - Quality.

This indicator is essential regarding the impact your company has on the health or physical integrity of customers. How is it calculated? Testing before product launch. Ensure that your product meets all safety measures, certification requirements, and national and international standards.

<<<5 benefits of project management in your company>>>

These were the main indicators for quality control that will be very useful when implementing improvements in your products, the process for generating them, and their dispatch. This way, you strengthen your commitment to customers, and they have a better experience with your products or services, which will keep them loyal and also lead them to recommend you to others.