A Lawn Blower (often referred as sweeper) is a basic gardening tool which is mostly used in the autumn season when the backyard or lawn gets filled by dry leaves shed by trees. The simple science behind the functioning of the machine is that it nozzles out a pressure of air through its mouth to move the debris such as leaves and grass cuttings. Generally, sweepers can be of two types based on their power source: electric and gasoline powered. Gas models were generally ran on basic two-stroke engine, but with advancement of technology it came in the variant of four-stroke engine too. Sweepers were initially carried on back like a backpack or held in hands. Larger units used in big parks or lawns were generally moved on wheels via motors. These are sometimes called “walk behind leaf blowers” because they must be pushed by hands to be operated.
The credit of inventing the machine goes to Dom Quinto who invented this around 1950s. It was introduced to America. Initially, it was designed to be a chemical spraying machine that can be used to spray chemicals in fields or farm. Later, people started to remove the chemical dispensing attachments and started using as a blower. Manufacturers started to see this opportunity to bring something new to market. Gradually, people accepted lawn blowers as it saved them time consumed in brooming and the tool became an important tool in gardening.
Other then gardeners, young scientists were also attracted towards the invention and wanted to make something new from it. It was then hovercraft was made using the propelling power of blowers. The blower was able to produce about wind speed ranging between 140-270 miles per hour and air volume of 14 m3. It was then realized that leaf blower was an instrument that can be used in amateur experiments too.
This cordless edition from Toro is a blend of hard plastic and some metal. The engine runs on 20V lithium ion battery. The 115 MPH max air speed is best in class. It also gives 146 CFM max air volume. The Toro offers dual speed air flow control to regulate the amount of pressure you need according to the work. The soft grip handle provides the user a comfortable day at work.
The battery runs on 2A current that can be used to charge the battery to give your blower the power to work all day. The accessories coming along with blower includes a bag and nozzle attachment kit. The battery gets easily recharged in a time span of 75 minutes. The machine is very light to use and very user friendly. Even small kids of 12-13 years can easily use the machine to help you. The motor present is best in class and gives optimum efficiency. The Toro 20V cordless sweeper is the best choice in the field of lawn blowers as it comes switch a long nozzle that allows the concentrate more air in the required region. The air flow adjustments are also quite good and offer the best in class service. Te reviews obtained through various reviewing sites are quite great on the functioning and reliability of the product. The company itself has very much trust in the brand and has put lots of research and investment to make the product successful. The product features the best in class electric motor which is reliable and powerful accompanied by strong rotor that pumps a mass gust of air to blow anyone off. Also the lawn blower is quite light weight and easy to use. It can be easily carried from one corner to another and can also be used to reach blow corners where one cannot easily reach to clean. The Toro 20V cordless Sweeper is quite perfect for anyone’s pocket as it comes for a very low price starting from just $99.99 at your nearest online store or any of the nearest general hardware store. So hurry up and get yourself your perfect cleanup partner that would be always be your side and never breaks. It also comes with a special warranty of one year. So hurry up and buy one for yourself.
Quality planning is very crucial in any business whether it be from a nut bolt business or to a high-end supercharger production company. Quality matters due to the fact that quality decides customer’s satisfaction.
Stakeholders Analyzing Chart
|
Stakeholder |
Expectations |
|
Toro Execution Department |
Profit earned on the investment done on research work Share investment Profit |
|
Engineers |
Development of technology High investment for improvement |
|
Shareholders |
Profit on investment New innovation in technology |
|
Employees |
Safe working environment Increase demand of product to avail employment status |
|
End User |
Reliable and tough product Good value for money |
|
Suppliers |
Increase in demand to promote his/her business Higher profit to business |
|
Retailer |
Predictable and reliable products On-time delivery of product |
|
Rivals |
Decrease in value of every product Old tech to lower the preference |
|
Interest Groups (Human, environmental, world care etc.) |
Improvement of tech to help the nature sustain Use of recyclable products |
|
Government Regulators |
Adhere to minimum product warranty periods. Adhere to current consumer legislation |
This table gives the knowledge about the various stakeholders present in the market and what all they demand with the company and its products.
To know about the product and what the customers demand more from the product can be answered. The answer can be gathered from the customers itself. The Voice of the Customer (VoC) methodology gives an opportunity the company’s feedback team to listen to the voice of the common people and get knowledge about the product. There are some methods listed below that capture customer needs and can be used to analyze the market.
Above mentioned are the basic ways of knowing what customer thinks and what he needs in the product. Nowadays, companies conduct research and surveys online to get knowledge about the product. May review sites offer true review and feedbacks from customers and help them to improve.
SWOT analysis plays a major role in the customer feedback and gathering the necessary information regarding the product. It lets the company knows the sectors where the company is doing great and places where it needs to cover up to make up with the competitors.
Customer Interviews
Customer Interview is the basis of any company and is prove to be quite effective in the feedback process of the company. The questionnaire is being prepared by a panel of experts that indirectly pulls out the true statement of any customer to avoid bias interview. Customer Interviews can be single person or in a group discussion form. The interviewing medium can also change from face to face, to web chatting. The form or medium change doesn’t changes the outcome of the interview.
Even though the way in which the questionnaire is being prepared is independent and lifted from every parameter, the basic frame of any questionnaire revolves around the subject of satisfaction of customer. The interviewer prepares certain question that would make the customer first comfortable and adjust to the environment and then next set of questions let the company gather the necessary database for the company.
This method is generally capable of providing qualitative data, as well as sometime quantities data too, however the circumstances and state of market might affect the reports every time one make report. It is also important to note the fact that, these report scan be at times false and lead to wrong feedbacks. One should be aware of the risk involved while taking in account of the report.
Survey Questionnaire
The cheapest way to get customer feedback and interview is a questionnaire survey. The customers are given a questionnaire form to be filled in places like malls, shopping stops etc where the customers are in a huge number. The media for this changes time to time. One can get paper form or online survey form too. Unlike customer interviews where the interview is just to a small scale market, survey provides the stage to ask the question to much great level. The survey gives the customer arrange of level to show their views about the product, generally in the form of star rating in term of 5. The topics like customer satisfaction, services provided, sales warranty, pricing etc can be asked to a great section of market all at once.
Visit the customer
Visit the customer (also termed as Customer visits) is the way to reach directly to the consumers of the product and know the review about it. It can be quite effective method of indirectly acquiring customer needs. The personal reach to customer provides the customer the assurance of reliability and trust on the company and an opportunity to openly say the needs of public. This type of practice is quite time consuming and hectic to do. The choice of customer to invite is also very necessary. Most employees aren’t given opportunity to conduct these researches and are waved off. The results thus obtained can be quite subjective and at times not true.
Focus Groups
Focus groups differ largely from any interview based survey. The focus group consists of some 5-8 members and they themselves help the company to give an opinion about the product or services provided. These individuals gather reports from some participants and give qualitative data to the company. All the participants need to involve themselves in the survey to discuss the views on products. “Open minded questions” can be helpful so as to relax all from burden. This is very different from the formal reports or interviews hence, provides the company more honest reviews of the customers.
A Lawn Blower (often referred as sweeper) is a basic gardening tool which is mostly used in the autumn season when the backyard or lawn gets filled by dry leaves shed by trees. The simple science behind the functioning of the machine is that it nozzles out a pressure of air through its mouth to move the debris such as leaves and grass cuttings. Generally, sweepers can be of two types based on their power source: electric and gasoline powered. Gas models were generally ran on basic two-stroke engine, but with advancement of technology it came in the variant of four-stroke engine too. Sweepers were initially carried on back like a backpack or held in hands. Larger units used in big parks or lawns were generally moved on wheels via motors. These are sometimes called “walk behind leaf blowers” because they must be pushed by hands to be operated.
The credit of inventing the machine goes to Dom Quinto who invented this around 1950s. It was introduced to America. Initially, it was designed to be a chemical spraying machine that can be used to spray chemicals in fields or farm. Later, people started to remove the chemical dispensing attachments and started using as a blower. Manufacturers started to see this opportunity to bring something new to market. Gradually, people accepted lawn blowers as it saved them time consumed in brooming and the tool became an important tool in gardening.
Other then gardeners, young scientists were also attracted towards the invention and wanted to make something new from it. It was then hovercraft was made using the propelling power of blowers. The blower was able to produce about wind speed ranging between 140-270 miles per hour and air volume of 14 m3. It was then realized that leaf blower was an instrument that can be used in amateur experiments too.
This cordless edition from Toro is a blend of hard plastic and some metal. The engine runs on 20V lithium ion battery. The 115 MPH max air speed is best in class. It also gives 146 CFM max air volume. The Toro offers dual speed air flow control to regulate the amount of pressure you need according to the work. The soft grip handle provides the user a comfortable day at work.
The battery runs on 2A current that can be used to charge the battery to give your blower the power to work all day. The accessories coming along with blower includes a bag and nozzle attachment kit. The battery gets easily recharged in a time span of 75 minutes. The machine is very light to use and very user friendly. Even small kids of 12-13 years can easily use the machine to help you. The motor present is best in class and gives optimum efficiency. The Toro 20V cordless sweeper is the best choice in the field of lawn blowers as it comes switch a long nozzle that allows the concentrate more air in the required region. The air flow adjustments are also quite good and offer the best in class service. Te reviews obtained through various reviewing sites are quite great on the functioning and reliability of the product. The company itself has very much trust in the brand and has put lots of research and investment to make the product successful. The product features the best in class electric motor which is reliable and powerful accompanied by strong rotor that pumps a mass gust of air to blow anyone off. Also the lawn blower is quite light weight and easy to use. It can be easily carried from one corner to another and can also be used to reach blow corners where one cannot easily reach to clean. The Toro 20V cordless Sweeper is quite perfect for anyone’s pocket as it comes for a very low price starting from just $99.99 at your nearest online store or any of the nearest general hardware store. So hurry up and get yourself your perfect cleanup partner that would be always be your side and never breaks. It also comes with a special warranty of one year. So hurry up and buy one for yourself.
Customer Satisfaction
Quality planning is very crucial in any business whether it be from a nut bolt business or to a high-end supercharger production company. Quality matters due to the fact that quality decides customer’s satisfaction.
Stakeholders Analyzing Chart
|
Stakeholder |
Expectations |
|
Toro Execution Department |
Profit earned on the investment done on research work Share investment Profit |
|
Engineers |
Development of technology High investment for improvement |
|
Shareholders |
Profit on investment New innovation in technology |
|
Employees |
Safe working environment Increase demand of product to avail employment status |
|
End User |
Reliable and tough product Good value for money |
|
Suppliers |
Increase in demand to promote his/her business Higher profit to business |
|
Retailer |
Predictable and reliable products On-time delivery of product |
|
Rivals |
Decrease in value of every product Old tech to lower the preference |
|
Interest Groups (Human, environmental, world care etc.) |
Improvement of tech to help the nature sustain Use of recyclable products |
|
Government Regulators |
Adhere to minimum product warranty periods. Adhere to current consumer legislation |
This table gives the knowledge about the various stakeholders present in the market and what all they demand with the company and its products.
To know about the product and what the customers demand more from the product can be answered. The answer can be gathered from the customers itself. The Voice of the Customer (VoC) methodology gives an opportunity the company’s feedback team to listen to the voice of the common people and get knowledge about the product. There are some methods listed below that capture customer needs and can be used to analyze the market.
Above mentioned are the basic ways of knowing what customer thinks and what he needs in the product. Nowadays, companies conduct research and surveys online to get knowledge about the product. May review sites offer true review and feedbacks from customers and help them to improve.
SWOT analysis plays a major role in the customer feedback and gathering the necessary information regarding the product. It lets the company knows the sectors where the company is doing great and places where it needs to cover up to make up with the competitors.
Customer Interviews
Customer Interview is the basis of any company and is prove to be quite effective in the feedback process of the company. The questionnaire is being prepared by a panel of experts that indirectly pulls out the true statement of any customer to avoid bias interview. Customer Interviews can be single person or in a group discussion form. The interviewing medium can also change from face to face, to web chatting. The form or medium change doesn’t changes the outcome of the interview.
Even though the way in which the questionnaire is being prepared is independent and lifted from every parameter, the basic frame of any questionnaire revolves around the subject of satisfaction of customer. The interviewer prepares certain question that would make the customer first comfortable and adjust to the environment and then next set of questions let the company gather the necessary database for the company.
This method is generally capable of providing qualitative data, as well as sometime quantities data too, however the circumstances and state of market might affect the reports every time one make report. It is also important to note the fact that, these report scan be at times false and lead to wrong feedbacks. One should be aware of the risk involved while taking in account of the report.
Survey Questionnaire
The cheapest way to get customer feedback and interview is a questionnaire survey. The customers are given a questionnaire form to be filled in places like malls, shopping stops etc where the customers are in a huge number. The media for this changes time to time. One can get paper form or online survey form too. Unlike customer interviews where the interview is just to a small scale market, survey provides the stage to ask the question to much great level. The survey gives the customer arrange of level to show their views about the product, generally in the form of star rating in term of 5. The topics like customer satisfaction, services provided, sales warranty, pricing etc can be asked to a great section of market all at once.
Visit the customer
Visit the customer (also termed as Customer visits) is the way to reach directly to the consumers of the product and know the review about it. It can be quite effective method of indirectly acquiring customer needs. The personal reach to customer provides the customer the assurance of reliability and trust on the company and an opportunity to openly say the needs of public. This type of practice is quite time consuming and hectic to do. The choice of customer to invite is also very necessary. Most employees aren’t given opportunity to conduct these researches and are waved off. The results thus obtained can be quite subjective and at times not true.
Focus Groups
Focus groups differ largely from any interview based survey. The focus group consists of some 5-8 members and they themselves help the company to give an opinion about the product or services provided. These individuals gather reports from some participants and give qualitative data to the company. All the participants need to involve themselves in the survey to discuss the views on products. “Open minded questions” can be helpful so as to relax all from burden. This is very different from the formal reports or interviews hence, provides the company more honest reviews of the customers.
Ethnographic Methods
The Ethnographic methods are the most effective methods to capture customer requirements from the customer’s mouth. These involve interviewing or asking customers in a surrounding which belongs to them by using contrasting interviews and recording their activities to analyze the body language and understand it more. The contextual is one of unfamiliar things to the customer and hence they won’t be able to act artificially and an honest review would be achieved and customer needs can be satisfied.
One can easily capture costumer needs via conducting survey questionnaire. This methods flows in a 5-step process and is depicted below.
Step1: To Define the goals and aims of the survey to be conducted
To give Toro and its employees the basic information about the needs of customers.
To give data about the dissatisfaction areas to be improved
To give research team the information to excel in future designs and tech
Step2: Develop a survey plan
In order to receive public attraction to the survey, the survey needs to be published and to be advertised in web or Toro Company’s official homepage. This will let the participants get to know about the product.
Let us assume that the minimum required number of participant for the survey be around 300 people. The questionnaire would be such that they won’t answer it rationally. This will give an unbiased review.
Participants will remain anonymous but would be given some sample sets of blowers to use and analyze it to ensure the reports are true.
Designing and testing the questionnaire
The questions would be such that all the guests need to rate Toro leaf blower at a scale after analyzing and using it for some time.
|
Attribute |
Score (1-5) |
|
More Air flow |
|
|
Welding at joints |
|
|
Build quality improvement |
|
|
Ease of use |
|
|
Battery life improvement |
|
|
Switching ease |
|
|
Weight ratio to use of easy |
|
|
Quality factor |
|
|
Power factor |
|
|
Adjustable flow rate |
|
|
Attachments for nozzle |
|
|
Nozzle size increase |
|
|
Motor heating to be solved |
|
|
Power backup at high use |
|
|
Low charging time |
|
|
Easy maintenance service |
|
|
Home to do service kit |
|
|
Stock parts replacement |
|
|
High energy motor |
|
|
Low cost of maintenance |
|
|
Children safety switch |
|
|
Low level cleansing kit |
|
|
Power suction bag |
|
|
Integrated shield for heat |
|
|
More geometric design |
The small range of scale to rate gives them option to rate it rationally.
The score may represent the following views:
|
No need |
Likely to want |
Would be better |
Needed |
Must do |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
The questions are verified twice before sending it to participants. A demo of the survey is being conducted within the company first to ensure the proper set of answering the question is applicable or not for the subjects.
A predetermined score is kept in mind to be achieved for the proper response to be delivered further to be action taken.
|
Musts |
Wants |
Extras |
|
|
Score |
1500> |
999-1499 |
<999 |
The questionnaire is distributed and the survey is being conducted out and according to the style of pointing the questions, participants answer the questions and various fields are being analyzed
|
Attribute |
Cumulative Score |
Avg. Score |
|
Air flow more |
1537 |
4.1 |
|
Welding at joints |
1439 |
3.9 |
|
Build quality improvement |
1583 |
4.2 |
|
Ease of use |
1585 |
4.2 |
|
Battery life improvement |
1561 |
4.2 |
|
Switching ease |
1633 |
4.4 |
|
Weight ratio to use of easy |
1657 |
4.5 |
|
Quality factor |
1564 |
4.6 |
|
Power factor |
1534 |
4.1 |
|
Adjustable flow rate |
1582 |
4.2 |
|
Attachments for nozzle |
1175 |
3.2 |
|
Nozzle size increase |
1009 |
2.7 |
|
Motor heating to be solved |
1085 |
2.9 |
|
Power backup at high use |
1205 |
3.0 |
|
Low charging time |
1225 |
3.3 |
|
Easy maintenance service |
1039 |
2.8 |
|
Home to do service kit |
1129 |
2.9 |
|
Stock parts replacement |
1177 |
3.8 |
|
High energy motor |
1201 |
3.0 |
|
Low cost of maintenance |
1129 |
2.9 |
|
Children safety switch |
913 |
2.4 |
|
Low level cleansing kit |
769 |
3.1 |
|
Power suction bag |
721 |
1.9 |
|
Integrated shield for heat |
671 |
1.8 |
|
More geometric design |
745 |
2.0 |
Based on the results obtained after collecting the responses done by the subjects of survey, the management team decides the top requirements that can be fulfilled by the company. A demo of Voice of customer chart prepared by the company is shown here:
The requirements of customers are being recorded and now step is to understand and make a way to bring solutions regarding the needs. Quality Function Development method is used to make possible the needs into reality. The importance rating according to each customer is being carried out and finally average score is calculated. This average score lets us know about the customer as a whole. This score is being multiplied by 2 and more precise score out of 10 is calculated. The preferences of the requirements are judged by the score obtained here and for convenience we use simpler numbers (1: weak, 3: medium, 9: strong) Once the relationship value is designated, absolute score is obtained by multiplying both units. The resultant QFD form is shown.
|
Customer Expectations |
Importance Rating |
Design Requirement |
||||||||||
|
Bigger mouth |
More heavy motor |
Stronger build |
Battery increase |
Easy switch |
Weight |
Bags |
Easy use |
Quality improvement |
Heating issue soving |
|||
|
W A NTS |
||||||||||||
|
Air flow more |
8 |
9 |
9 |
3 |
||||||||
|
Welding at joints |
7.6 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
||||||||
|
Build quality improvement |
8.2 |
9 |
1 |
|||||||||
|
Ease of use |
8.2 |
9 |
3 |
1 |
||||||||
|
Battery life improvement |
8.2 |
9 |
3 |
3 |
||||||||
|
Switching ease |
8.6 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
3 |
9 |
3 |
3 |
||||
|
Weight ratio to use of easy |
8.6 |
1 |
3 |
9 |
9 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
|||
|
Quality factor |
8.2 |
1 |
9 |
1 |
||||||||
|
Power factor |
8 |
9 |
9 |
|||||||||
|
Adjustable flow rate |
8.2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
9 |
1 |
|
|
MU |
Attachments for nozzle |
6.2 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Nozzle size increase |
5.2 |
9 |
9 |
1 |
||||||||
|
Motor heating to be solved |
5.6 |
1 |
9 |
9 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Power backup at high use |
6.2 |
9 |
9 |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Low charging time |
9.4 |
9 |
||||||||||
|
Easy maintenance service |
5.4 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
||||||||
|
Home to do service kit |
5.8 |
9 |
9 |
3 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Stock parts replacement |
6.2 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
|||
|
High energy motor |
6.2 |
3 |
3 |
9 |
3 |
1 |
||||||
|
Low cost of maintenance |
5.8 |
3 |
9 |
|||||||||
|
E |
Children safety switch |
4.8 |
3 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
3 |
|||||
|
Low level cleansing kit |
4 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
||||||||
|
Power suction bag |
3.8 |
9 |
9 |
1 |
||||||||
|
Integrated shield for heat |
3.6 |
9 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
|||||||
|
More geometric design |
3.8 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
3 |
|
Target Value |
Bigger mouth Nozzle |
More heavy motor 20V |
Strong build Heavy body |
Battery increase |
Easy switch |
Weight balance |
Bags accessories |
Easy use |
Quality |
Heating |
|
Absolute Value |
475 |
280 |
635 |
2925 |
3247 |
528 |
296 |
282 |
178 |
106 |
The following table depicts the Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) on the 5 highest scoring design requirements using the risk severity and likelihood measures.
|
Place |
Failure |
Effect on working |
Main reason behind the failure |
Risk before improvement |
Steps to reduce risk |
Risk after improvement |
||||
|
P |
S |
R |
P |
S |
R |
|||||
|
Motor cover |
Overheating |
Reduces efficiency |
Incorrect application of motor in the cover |
4 |
3 |
12 |
Ensure size of motor is fitting in the case and proper cooling ventilation |
1 |
5 |
5 |
|
Rotor |
Complete dissipation |
Rotation failure due to excess load |
Machine giving excess power to rotor |
3 |
4 |
10 |
Ensure proper rotor is used |
1 |
4 |
4 |
|
Battery |
Battery failure |
System not working |
Battery failed to give energy |
4 |
3 |
8 |
Ensure proper battery is used of correct voltage |
1 |
5 |
5 |
|
Nozzle |
Blockage |
Pressure not released outside |
Blockage of substance at nozzle |
3 |
2 |
6 |
Use clean nozzles |
1 |
4 |
4 |
|
Grip |
Not able to move system |
Non-mobility |
Loose fixing of grips |
3 |
2 |
4 |
Use high standard glue to fix |
1 |
4 |
4 |
|
Stage |
Post |
Causes |
|
1 |
Very Marginal |
System is able to work- low level of improvement to be done |
|
2 |
Very little |
System is able to work- a bit of improvement is to be done |
|
3 |
Medium |
System is not working properly- require some improvement in system |
|
4 |
Quite much |
System not working- a good level of improvement must be done |
|
5 |
Most |
System not working at all- problem is major- needs expert to be solved |
|
Stage |
Descriptor |
Probability |
Description |
|
1 |
Unlikely |
<0.019 |
Very likely to happen |
|
2 |
Possible |
0.020-0.049 |
At some time, probable |
|
3 |
Likely |
0.050-0.499 |
50-50 chances |
|
4 |
Probable |
0.500-0.999 |
Less chances to happen |
|
5 |
Highly Probable |
1.000 |
Least chances to happen |
The lawn blower is not the most complex machines available out in the market, but still with many competitors it’s not any kid’s game. Hence to choose wisely the suppliers is important in this industry. The Toro uses 3 step evaluations to choose between suppliers.
Toro chooses between other supplier’s products by seeing what seems to be efficient and what they feel to be important and value for money for the product. They scale the product accordingly on a scale of 1-10 where 1 is least preferred and 10 is highest preference.
Each supplier is given a score representing them upon their products quality and other factors out of 10. Then to carry out easy distinction it is multiplied with weighted score. This gives a better score to be judged. The higher the scale, the more satisfaction for Toro team.
The above process is depicted in the form of table to understand well.
|
Suppliers |
|||||||
|
Selection |
Weighting |
Quality Solutions |
Aussie Co. |
Windy Pvt. Ltd. |
|||
|
Score |
Weighted |
Score |
Weighted |
Score |
Weighted |
||
|
Quality Assurance |
9 |
6 |
54 |
8 |
72 |
9 |
81 |
|
Time to be transferred |
8 |
9 |
72 |
7 |
56 |
8 |
64 |
|
Price to manufacture |
5 |
7 |
35 |
7 |
35 |
8 |
40 |
|
Reputation |
9 |
6 |
54 |
8 |
72 |
2 |
12 |
|
Environmental Sustainability |
6 |
6 |
36 |
6 |
36 |
5 |
30 |
|
Location |
3 |
4 |
12 |
5 |
15 |
6 |
18 |
|
Reliability factor |
7 |
8 |
56 |
6 |
42 |
7 |
49 |
|
Product Capacity |
8 |
8 |
64 |
6 |
48 |
8 |
64 |
|
Customer Service facility |
7 |
9 |
63 |
8 |
56 |
6 |
42 |
|
Safety measures and records |
6 |
8 |
48 |
8 |
48 |
7 |
42 |
|
Total |
77 |
496 |
69 |
480 |
64 |
460 |
4.4 Supplier’s Evaluations Reports
After the judging of weighted score from three different suppliers, it’s time to choose one supplier. The results are quite close. The company needs to make decision that from where to take the supplies.
The Quality Solutions are leading the table, followed by Aussie co. and then Windy Pvt. Ltd. The scores are very close that’s why each criterion is considered mutually exclusive. This leads to the decision that Quality Solutions is the most suitable supplier.
The other two suppliers, Aussie Co. and Windy Pvt. Ltd. Lacks behind at some of the most important places where they can’t afford to do so. They lacked behind in areas like lead time, Reliability and customer service. These areas are very crucial and needs to be improved by rest. Nobody in the world is perfect; hence other suppliers can improve too in future and can be suppliers to Toro in coming days. Quality Solutions also need to improve its quality assurance and safety records to excel in future.
Assembling of the product: in this process, we need to assemble the various parts to make it as a single unit. After this step, we can call the product a lawn blower.
Covering and packing of the product: The packing of the lawn blower should be tight and strong. The lawn blower is quite delicate so should be handled with care.
Distribution: This step refers to wrapping up the product to be delivered, transporting it via trucks etc and finally delivering it to the stores or customers.
Invoicing of the customer: this one is to make sure that the customer receives the product in time.
Quality check of the product: In this process verification of the arrived goods for defects and also the proper functioning of the parts when put together. The lawn blower consists of a number of small parts for their functioning.
Advertising and promotions: in this process, company works to make the market avail the knowledge of their products so that they can buy it. It is very important to advertise the product otherwise no one will notice it.
Using of statistical charts to have a broader view of the correct functioning of all activities is must. This let us know about various production limits quantitatively.
With the help of these figures, one can easily understand the importance and reliability of the production on certain key steps. With this, the company can plan to assign quality checks at certain levels and test the build quality accordingly. To improve the production speed and quality, these kinds of special quality checks are important.
A SPC chart would generally contain these as its basic components:
Centre line, which tells us the average value of production done by company. This line also tells the normal functioning of the production.
User Control Limit (UCL) and Lower Control Limit (LCL), these are the border lines of production. The production should be within these values. If not, the process is not in control of production.
These charts (SPR) can be classified based on the difference in their characters mainly “name, data, and variable data”.
Attribute data is used to define the quality factor of the material which is not shown by numeric values at all for instance no. of defects in a product. Some of the basic control graphs that are used to show attributes data are
C-chart: C-chart is used to plot the no. of defects found in a sample of production. As discussed earlier, centerline is calculated by taking mean of defects found in the time with the amount of a sample products analyzed. When we compare C-chart with other P-chart or Np-chart, we find out that this chart gives information regarding no. of defects instead of defective products which is a bonus on other ones. For example, let there be a battery having 4 defects that are found in one day. When we check it in a p-chart, it will show just 1 defect. But when we use c-chart, it will give a true image of scenario and will show 4 defects in one day.
C-chart can also be used to check the proper working of all steps performed to manufacture the product as a cross checking tool. If there is any case which the company feels is not possible, or has some doubts regarding its possibility, then the company can take protective measure or remedies discussed earlier. This is one of the advantages of using the c-chart.
Varying data for the chart are being collected by keeping an account of some quality based criteria while process is being carried out. Factors like temperature, pressure and humidity etc are also counted. This record is generally numeric and is used for in-depth studies and research of the variations found in the process. The charts that use these variables values for showing output are:
? and R- chart: ? and R-chart is a combination of two charts that enables us to view and analyze more broadly. ? chart is used to plot the mean vales of the some process ovr some time whereas the centerline is used to show the mean of all values obtained in all sub groups.
The R chart, on the other hand, is used to depict the wide range of values that the chart can take in every sub group and again the centerline is the mean of all values attained in each subgroup. The range chart is used to show keep a record of range shown by the production of the product over the average value of its production that can be use to judge the abnormalities in the production line whereas the ? chart is used to get knowledge about mean measurements or values in any subgroup of chart to get information about the proper functioning of process.
X-chart: X-chart is quite different from every chart one notices. It is used to measure information of a sample product at a particular time. For instance, if we take an example of the radius of nozzle is a quality character of production, and then this chart will register one unit per day. This way the chart registers the sample and we get pattern knowledge about the daily production. This is one of the drawbacks faced while using X-chart as it doesn’t include any quantitative value making it tough to be precise but easier on large scale production evaluation.
P-chart: It is one graph that is used to plot the ratio of detective readings occurred in a varying time period. It is significant for us to know that it only records the no. of defective readings as ratio not as per unit quantity. As a result of this, the graph shows two outputs only; conformance and non conformance
It can also be used to depict keep a record of the various processes performed by tracking the rational amount of defective pieces produced per unit time and then comparing that measurement with the average value assigned by the centerline. This graph is related to LCL and UCL directly. The differences can be easily seen and the pattern tells the control over the process. If we take an example of production of no. of defects in a day observed in the nozzle, The slight variation seen any day would let the team know about the disturbance in the machine and can be optimized for max performance.
Np-Chart: Np-chart when compared to a P-chart is totally different. This chart represents data in the form of no. of defective pieces manufactured with respect to fixed sample products. LCL and UCL are always fixed in the graph and centerline also remains fixed for each subgroup in the table. It is quite significant to observe the fact that this graph doesn’t show the ratio of defective pieces produced in a fixed sample product.
The Np-chart is also used to keep track of the no. of defective pieces produced in one day term and to check the pattern of production of defective pieces with link to LCL and UCL in context to check stability. If pattern observed with these set of values on the graph depicts an uncontrolled process then this alarms the team or company that some problem is there in the functioning and needs to be seen.
With the increase in no. of defective batteries we need to find the SPC chart with respect to the fixed sample products. Toro uses these p-charts to run its SPC programs.
The outcomes from a sample run for 15 days of production has been represented in the form table and graph below.
|
x |
n |
p |
? |
UCL |
LCL |
||
|
Week No. 1 |
1 |
18 |
94 |
0.2000 |
0.1950 |
0.3200 |
0.0700 |
|
2 |
17 |
95 |
0.1790 |
0.1950 |
0.3170 |
0.0730 |
|
|
3 |
17 |
91 |
0.1790 |
0.1950 |
0.3170 |
0.0730 |
|
|
4 |
17 |
93 |
0.1830 |
0.1950 |
0.3180 |
0.0720 |
|
|
Week No. 2 |
5 |
19 |
91 |
0.2090 |
0.1950 |
0.3200 |
0.0700 |
|
6 |
18 |
92 |
0.1960 |
0.1950 |
0.3190 |
0.0710 |
|
|
7 |
22 |
90 |
0.2440 |
0.1950 |
0.3200 |
0.0700 |
|
|
8 |
17 |
92 |
0.1850 |
0.1950 |
0.3190 |
0.0710 |
|
|
9 |
19 |
90 |
0.2110 |
0.1950 |
0.3200 |
0.0700 |
|
|
10 |
17 |
91 |
0.1870 |
0.1950 |
0.3200 |
0.0700 |
|
|
Week No. 3 |
11 |
17 |
93 |
0.1830 |
0.1950 |
0.3180 |
0.0720 |
|
12 |
17 |
93 |
0.1830 |
0.1950 |
0.3180 |
0.0720 |
|
|
13 |
18 |
91 |
0.1980 |
0.1950 |
0.3200 |
0.0700 |
|
|
14 |
20 |
95 |
0.2110 |
0.1950 |
0.3170 |
0.0730 |
|
|
15 |
19 |
95 |
0.2000 |
0.1950 |
0.3170 |
0.0730 |
|
|
?p |
2.9260 |
This above shown P- chart tells us that the production of batteries is running as the company desires. This production is considered to be fulfilling demands as the mean production value never drops down the line of mean deviation hence, the production never lacks behind.
The no. of defective pieces out of production always lies between the UCL and LCL stating the accuracy of production unit. But this graph does have one drawback. This graph doesn’t give us any information regarding the quantity of the defected pieces. There are other more effective tools and methods to analyze the quantitative aspect of the reports. This process is quite easy to attain and prepare but due to some drawbacks isn’t considered the best out of all.
Reason(s): 1. not proper installation of battery
The early reports of the data tell us that there could be many such possible reasons, some of which might not fit with it in reality. But, this will help us to get the basic startup in the problem solving part of this early stage.
Answering why! (Why-Why diagram)
To understand the topic’s problem we need to answer the question ‘why’ it happened? When we consider this scenario, we find arrow joining two boxes is the question. We ask the same question to ourselves a no. of times to be able to find the answer each new time we ask it. To demonstrate how this why why-diagram is shown or works, below given is a small example. If needed, it can be more elaborated, but for demonstration, it is enough.
Preparing a Check-Sheet
After the verification and identification of the root problem, it is now possible to know the reason behind the overheating of the batteries of the leaf blower.
The check-sheet is drawn by taking account of the data of reasons for the problems that occurred in a week. Some of the problems are being listed down by the team of Toro 20V Cordless Sweeper and believe these are the major problems that cause overheating of batteries.
The following table is used to show check-sheet for this case.
|
Root cause |
Occurrence |
Absolute% |
Accumulative% |
|
Not proper installation of battery |
25 |
16.75 |
16.75 |
|
Over charged batteries installed |
17 |
11.39 |
28.14 |
|
High release of energy |
15 |
10.05 |
38.19 |
|
Excess use of machine for prolonged duration |
10 |
6.7 |
44.89 |
|
Total |
67 |
44.89 |
The reason of the problem is to be discovered to be able to analyze it first. In Pareto, we focus on some basic reasons due to which the problem could have occurred in the first place. The result we get after analyzing all the sectors of concern is that 3 setors are to be taken care of. These 3 sectors form 75% of the all problems and are represented to be solved first over others.
After identgificatio0 of the root causes, action can be taken to reduce its occurrence. Further, improvement is technology or better experts can help to work on problems even better than before. One should regularly conduct researches and check to maintain the production quality.
References
Srewart. J 2017, “Leaf Blower review: Redemption is here”.
Farris, Paul W, N. T. Bendle, P.E. Pfeifer, D. J 2010, Marketing Metrics: The Definitive Guide to Measuring Marketing Performance. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. ISBN 0-13-705829-2.
Kucukosmanoglu, A.Nuri, S 2010, “Customer Satisfaction: A Central Phenomenon in Marketing”.
Homburg, Christian, N. Koschate, and W.D 2006, “The role of cognition and affect in the formation of customer satisfaction: a dynamic perspective.” Journal of Marketing 70.321-
Fornell, C., R.T. Rust and M.G 2010, “The Effect of Customer Satisfaction on Consumer Spending Growth,” Journal of Marketing Research, 47(1), 28-35.
Morgeson, F. V., & P 2011, “Do They All Perform Alike? An Examination of Perceived Performance, Citizen Satisfaction and Trust with US Federal Agencies.” International Review of Administrative Sciences, 77(3), 451-479.
Bluestein, Abram, M. Moriarty; R J 2003, The Customer Satisfaction Audit. Axminster: Cambridge Strategy Publications. ISBN 978-1-902433-98-1.
Delulio, J 2014, “Walk Behind Leaf Blower Buyer’s Guide”. Power Equipment Direct, Inc.
Byrns, R. T., and G. W 2008, Macro Economics, 2nd ed. Glenview, IL: Scott, Foresman.
Corley, R. N., E. M. Holmes, and W. J 2006, Fundamentals of Business Law, 3rd ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Dessler 2011, Personnel Management, 4th ed. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Gore, M., and J 2009, Elements of System Analysis, 3rd ed. Dubuque, IA: Brow.
Essay Writing Service Features
Our Experience
No matter how complex your assignment is, we can find the right professional for your specific task. Contact Essay is an essay writing company that hires only the smartest minds to help you with your projects. Our expertise allows us to provide students with high-quality academic writing, editing & proofreading services.
Free Features
Free revision policy
$10Free bibliography & reference
$8Free title page
$8Free formatting
$8How Our Essay Writing Service Works
First, you will need to complete an order form. It's not difficult but, in case there is anything you find not to be clear, you may always call us so that we can guide you through it. On the order form, you will need to include some basic information concerning your order: subject, topic, number of pages, etc. We also encourage our clients to upload any relevant information or sources that will help.
Complete the order form
Once we have all the information and instructions that we need, we select the most suitable writer for your assignment. While everything seems to be clear, the writer, who has complete knowledge of the subject, may need clarification from you. It is at that point that you would receive a call or email from us.
Writer’s assignment
As soon as the writer has finished, it will be delivered both to the website and to your email address so that you will not miss it. If your deadline is close at hand, we will place a call to you to make sure that you receive the paper on time.
Completing the order and download