414 Epilogue
• Tracking the progress: How does the supplier track the progress?
How is progress measured? Are measurement data used or are most
of the measurements of the attribute type? Is statistical process con-
trol (SPC) used by the operators? Reviewed by engineers, supervi-
sors, and appropriate action taken based on the data?
A nal thought about the win–win relationship of the customer and sup-
plier may be summarized in seven principles that, if followed, will create a
fruitful relationship that is ready to complete a awless launch. These prin-
ciples are
1. Make the products easy to nd. That is the sourcing advantage. The
closer the suppliers are, the better the ow and delivery will be to
the customer.
2. Get good advice. Research within and outside your organization for
the best alternatives available. Benchmarking and quality function
deployment (QFD) is appropriate.
3. Pick the right suppliers. A customer depends on suppliers for the
quality of their products. Make sure that the suppliers are able and
willing to perform to your expectations. They are your partners in
quality. Treat them as equals.
4. Understand supplier rules and regulations. Suppliers are also in
business to make money. Therefore, respect their rules, culture, and
regulations under which they have to work. If they do not make
money in the relationship, they will not be your supplier for long.
5. Communicate regularly and efciently with your suppliers. Two-
way communication is imperative. The information should be on
requirements and expectations as well as feedback. The feedback
should be objective and data driven.
6. Watch out for channel conict. To be sure, conicts will arise. It is
imperative that both have a system of conict resolution that is ami-
cable to both parties.
7. Look for continual improvement. The improvement should be on
several fronts, that is, communications, expectations, specications,
capability, capacity, costs, safety, quality, delivery, and in any area of
concern.
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