Armand Feigenbaum

Born: 1922

Died: Nov 13, 2014

Feigenbaum is best known for:

• Total Quality Control
• Hidden Plant
• Quality Costs

A Brief Introduction:

Armand V. Feigenbaum is an American quality control expert and businessman. Feigenbaum is the founder and president of General System Co., an international engineering company that designs and implements total quality systems.

In his book Total Quality Control, Feigenbaum originated the concept of total quality control. This concept laid the foundation of Total Quality Management (TQM).

Timeline

1961: Feigenbaum originated the concept of Total Quality Control in his book Total Quality Control. This concept later laid the foundation of Total Quality Management (TQM).

1965: Feigenbaum received Edwards Medal from ASQ for his contributions to the field of modern quality control.

Hidden Plant

Armand V. Feigenbaum is also known for his concept of the hidden plant. In every factory, a certain proportion of its capacity is wasted by not getting it right the first time. Feigenbaum quoted a figure that up to 40% of the plant's capacity is wasted. At the time, this was an unbelievable figure; even today, some managers are still to learn that this is a figure not too far removed from the truth.

Crucial elements of Total Quality

• Quality is the customer's perception of what quality is, not what a company thinks it is
• Quality and cost are the same, not different
• Quality is an individual and team commitment
• Quality and innovation are interrelated and mutually beneficial
• Managing quality is managing the business
• Quality is a principal
• Quality is not a temporary or quick fix but a continuous process of improvement.
• Productivity gained by cost-effective, demonstrably beneficial Quality investment
• Implement quality by encompassing suppliers and customers in the system