What does the term 'quality lifecycle' refer to?

The term 'quality lifecycle' refers to the various stages a product or service goes through, from conception to delivery, impacting its quality. This concept emphasizes that quality is not just a final assessment but is influenced by each phase of a product's journey, including design, production, distribution, and delivery. By understanding that quality is integral to all stages, organizations can proactively manage and improve it throughout the lifecycle.

This approach allows teams to identify potential quality issues early, implement corrective actions, and ensure that quality standards are maintained at every level. A comprehensive understanding of the quality lifecycle fosters a culture of continuous improvement, which is key in Total Quality Management (TQM) practices.

In contrast, while cost associated with a product, the time a product remains in the market, or the steps taken in quality assurance are important elements in the overall discussion of quality management, they do not encapsulate the broader, more comprehensive view that the quality lifecycle presents. All these elements are indeed influenced by the quality lifecycle, but they do not define it in the same holistic manner.