Five common misconceptions about Quality 4.0

January 9, 2019

Recent webinar with Dan Jacobs and Stephen McCarthy reveals five common misconceptions about Quality 4.0

In the recent Sparta Systems, Inc. webinar, Director & Research Analyst at LNS Research, Dan Jacob, and Vice President of Digital Innovation at Sparta Systems, Stephen McCarthy provide statistically driven insight on the growth of Quality 4.0 in the pharmaceutical industry.

Jacob and McCarthy touch on the fundamentals of Industrial Transformation, life sciences industry trends, and more.

In exploring these topics, Jacob and McCarthy delve into the five most common misconceptions about Quality 4.0.

1. Quality 4.0 is all about technology.

Industrial Transformation is all about optimizing products, people, and processes through the digitalization of quality management. Digital technology is in fact the catalyst for Quality 4.0, but the transformation occurs beyond the realm of tech.

2. A Quality 4.0 strategy is separate from traditional quality.

A sound traditional quality strategy is prerequisite to the implementation of a Quality 4.0 strategy. Quality 4.0 does not eliminate traditional quality, but rather builds upon its existing capabilities. Quality 4.0 should be integrated as a vital component of a solid quality strategy.

3. IT will take care of tech – Quality can focus on people and process.

It is critical that the quality team take the lead in implementing Quality 4.0 technology. The fragmentation of technological responsibilities will lead to enterprise-wide information silos. Quality teams that work to improve tech achieve better alignment when it comes to improved processes and people.

4. Quality 4.0 is for quality teams.

Quality 4.0 is for all teams. LNS Research found that leaders across engineering, operations, and quality as singled out quality as the top success criteria for new product introduction, or NPI. Additionally, professionals from all teams, including marketing, information technology, and R&D, indicated feeling accountability toward final product quality. Quality improvement requires a cross-functional approach.

5. Industry 4.0 is overhyped, there are no results.

All tech can be overhyped. Quality 4.0 is results-driven. Across the industry, “success” may be defined differently from organization to organization. When implementing a Quality 4.0 plan, it is critical for firms to consider variables such as the alignment of strategic objectives and the employment of an effective framework strategy.  Overall, manufacturers that have executed successful Quality 4.0 strategies improve quality and cut costs while increasing efficiency, market share, and brand recognition.