Why WoodWing
Why WoodWing

How we help

icon-woodwing-enterprise-information-management-eim

Enterprise Information Management

Take charge of your content and information with Enterprise Information Management

icon-woodwing-unlock-your-potential

Unlock your potential

Unlock your potential with WoodWing's innovative solutions

icon-woodwing-content-orchestration

Content Orchestration

Managing content at scale has never been easier or more profitable

Solutions
Solutions

Content Creation

icon-woodwing-content-creation

Content Creation

Collaborate and create high-quality channel-neutral content

icon-woodwing-dam

Digital Asset Management

Manage and distribute digital assets for streamlined content

icon-woodwing-multichannel-publishing

Multichannel Publishing

Maximize reach with seamless multi-channel content publishing


Content Management

icon-logo-woodwing-document-management

Document Management

Centralize and control your documents, ensuring secure access

icon-woodwing-information-management

Information Management

Become more agile, reduce risks and benefit from available data

icon-woodwing-knowledge-management

Knowledge Management

Bring knowledge and people together to work on quality

icon-woodwing-process-management

Process Management

Describe and organize processes and make them accessible to everyone

icon-logo-woodwing-quality-management

Quality Management

Collectively ensure that you do the right things in the right way

icon-woodwing-risk-management

Risk Management

Gain insight and control over every aspect of risk management.


Content Services

icon-woodwing-creative-workflow-services

Creative Workflow Services

Unleash creative potential with tailored support from experts

icon-woodwing-digital-publishing-service

Digital Publishing Services

Enhance digital publishing strategy with expert services

icon-woodwing-integrations

App Integrations

Integrate WoodWing seamlessly into your existing tech stack

icon-woodwing-cloud

WoodWing Cloud

Experience stress-free hosting, software maintenance, and more


FEATURED CONTENT PIECE

Der Spiegel

How one of Germany’s largest news publications increased editorial and production workflow efficiency using WoodWing’s publishing software.

Read this case
Products
Products

Take charge of your content

WoodWing Studio

Streamlined content creation and multichannel publishing solution

Assets Logo (base)

Enterprise-grade digital asset management for streamlined workflows

WoodWing Swivle

Cloud-based DAM for seamless file management and collaboration

WoodWing Scienta

Software to collaborate on quality and have control over and maximize the benefits of the knowledge present in your organization.

WoodWing Xtendis

Secure digital archiving and document management system

Connect Logo (base)

Powerful integration suite for seamless connectivity and automation

WoodWing Smart Styles

Efficient plugin for enhanced Adobe InDesign design workflows

Industries
Industries

We know your challenges

icon-woodwing-agencies

Agencies

Optimized workflow, improved collaboration, and brand consistency

icon-woodwing-finance

Finance

Modern document and quality management helps you manage risks and improve processes

icon-woodwing-franchise

Franchise

Ensure unity with document, quality, and knowledge management

icon-woodwing-healthcare

Healthcare

Always access the latest version of each process, protocol, guideline, or agreement

icon-logo-woodwing-housing-corporations

Housing Corporations

Document management from context, always up-to-date, complete and accurate documents

icon-woodwing-manufacturing

Manufacturing

Consistent branding, accelerated launches, and integrated content management

icon-woodwing-publishing

Publishing

Efficient content creation, collaboration, and multichannel publishing

icon-woodwing-retail-ecommerce

Retail & eCommerce

Streamlined catalog and marketing content production for faster time-to-market

icon-woodwing-transport-logistic

Trade & Logistics

Increase efficiency with process, document, and quality management


Featured content piece

Bavaria

How Bavaria significantly improved its global brand management.

Read this case
Inspiration
Inspiration

Learning centre

icon-woodwing-success-stories

Success Stories

Read success stories from trusted organizations that rely on WoodWing's solutions

icon-woodwing-ebooks-whitepapers

eBooks & Whitepapers

Dive into in-depth knowledge with our comprehensive digital publications

icon-logo-woodwing-videos

Videos

Lean back and enjoy one of our educational videos

icon-woodwing-events-and-webinars

Events & Webinars

Meet us in person or virtually at one of our events or webinars


Latest articles

What is AI Governance? Benefits, needs, regulations and tips on using AI

What is AI Governance? Benefits, needs, regulations and tips on using AI

Transforming museum collection management: how visual search is shaping heritage preservation

Transforming museum collection management: how visual search is shaping heritage preservation

AI-powered DAM: the key to gaining a competitive advantage now

AI-powered DAM: the key to gaining a competitive advantage now

View all blog articles

Featured content piece

Medium Rare

How Content Agency Medium Rare delivers better client experiences and outcomes with WoodWing.

Read this case
Company
Company

About us

icon-woodwing-about-woodwing

About WoodWing

Discover our company's vision, mission, and innovative solutions

icon-woodwing-management-team

Management Team

Meet the leaders driving WoodWing's success and growth

icon-woodwing-contact

Contact

Reach out to us for inquiries, support, and collaboration


Jobs & Press

icon-woodwing-job-opportunities

Job opportunities

Explore exciting career opportunities and join our team

icon-woodwing-press-release

Press releases & news

Stay updated with our latest company news and announcements


Partners

icon-woodwing-partners

Partners

Explore our partners for local support and expanded capabilities

icon-woodwing-become-a-partner

Become a partner

Join our global partner network and grow with us


Want to work for us?

Developer

Would you like to further develop your development skills? As our developer you will learn all about new techniques and innovations.

Join our team
English
Select language
Support Support Support Contact sales Contact sales Contact sales Login Login Login
Login

Choose a product

icon-woodwing-login-scienta

WoodWing Scienta

icon-woodwing-login-swivle

WoodWing Swivle


Contact us
Search Support Support Support Contact sales Contact sales Contact sales Login Login Login

Choose a product

icon-woodwing-login-scienta

WoodWing Scienta

icon-woodwing-login-swivle

WoodWing Swivle

English English

Nederlands

Why WoodWing

How we help

icon-woodwing-enterprise-information-management-eim

Enterprise Information Management

Take charge of your content and information with Enterprise Information Management

icon-woodwing-unlock-your-potential

Unlock your potential

Unlock your potential with WoodWing's innovative solutions

icon-woodwing-content-orchestration

Content Orchestration

Managing content at scale has never been easier or more profitable

Solutions

Content Creation

icon-woodwing-content-creation

Content Creation

Collaborate and create high-quality channel-neutral content

icon-woodwing-dam

Digital Asset Management

Manage and distribute digital assets for streamlined content

icon-woodwing-multichannel-publishing

Multichannel Publishing

Maximize reach with seamless multi-channel content publishing


Content Management

icon-logo-woodwing-document-management

Document Management

Centralize and control your documents, ensuring secure access

icon-woodwing-information-management

Information Management

Become more agile, reduce risks and benefit from available data

icon-woodwing-knowledge-management

Knowledge Management

Bring knowledge and people together to work on quality

icon-woodwing-process-management

Process Management

Describe and organize processes and make them accessible to everyone

icon-logo-woodwing-quality-management

Quality Management

Collectively ensure that you do the right things in the right way

icon-woodwing-risk-management

Risk Management

Gain insight and control over every aspect of risk management.


Content Services

icon-woodwing-creative-workflow-services

Creative Workflow Services

Unleash creative potential with tailored support from experts

icon-woodwing-digital-publishing-service

Digital Publishing Services

Enhance digital publishing strategy with expert services

icon-woodwing-integrations

App Integrations

Integrate WoodWing seamlessly into your existing tech stack

icon-woodwing-cloud

WoodWing Cloud

Experience stress-free hosting, software maintenance, and more


FEATURED CONTENT PIECE

Der Spiegel

How one of Germany’s largest news publications increased editorial and production workflow efficiency using WoodWing’s publishing software.

Read this case
Products

Take charge of your content

WoodWing Studio

Streamlined content creation and multichannel publishing solution

WoodWing Studio

Collaborative content creation and multichannel publishing solution that simplifies workflows and streamlines production processes.

Assets Logo (base)

Enterprise-grade digital asset management for streamlined workflows

WoodWing Assets

Enterprise-grade digital asset management solution that streamlines your creative workflow and simplifies collaboration among team members.

WoodWing Swivle

Cloud-based DAM for seamless file management and collaboration

WoodWing Swivle

Cloud-based DAM solution for managing, sharing, and collaborating on digital files from anywhere and on any device.

WoodWing Scienta

Software to collaborate on quality and have control over and maximize the benefits of the knowledge present in your organization.

WoodWing Scienta

Quality management platform for regulated industries that simplifies compliance, knowledge sharing, and collaboration.

WoodWing Xtendis

Secure digital archiving and document management system

WoodWing Xtendis

Digital archiving and document management system that allows organizations to store, manage, and access their digital assets securely.

Connect Logo (base)

Powerful integration suite for seamless connectivity and automation

WoodWing Connect

Powerful integration suite, including APIs, webhooks, plugins, and the best-in-class iPaaS solution (powered by Workato).

WoodWing Smart Styles

Efficient plugin for enhanced Adobe InDesign design workflows

WoodWing Smart Styles

Plugin for Adobe InDesign that streamlines design workflows by allowing designers to apply predefined styles quickly.

Industries

We know your challenges

icon-woodwing-agencies

Agencies

Optimized workflow, improved collaboration, and brand consistency

icon-woodwing-finance

Finance

Modern document and quality management helps you manage risks and improve processes

icon-woodwing-franchise

Franchise

Ensure unity with document, quality, and knowledge management

icon-woodwing-healthcare

Healthcare

Always access the latest version of each process, protocol, guideline, or agreement

icon-logo-woodwing-housing-corporations

Housing Corporations

Document management from context, always up-to-date, complete and accurate documents

icon-woodwing-manufacturing

Manufacturing

Consistent branding, accelerated launches, and integrated content management

icon-woodwing-publishing

Publishing

Efficient content creation, collaboration, and multichannel publishing

icon-woodwing-retail-ecommerce

Retail & eCommerce

Streamlined catalog and marketing content production for faster time-to-market

icon-woodwing-transport-logistic

Trade & Logistics

Increase efficiency with process, document, and quality management

Featured content piece

Bavaria

How Bavaria significantly improved its global brand management.

Read this case
Inspiration

Learning centre

icon-woodwing-success-stories

Success Stories

Read success stories from trusted organizations that rely on WoodWing's solutions

icon-woodwing-ebooks-whitepapers

eBooks & Whitepapers

Dive into in-depth knowledge with our comprehensive digital publications

icon-logo-woodwing-videos

Videos

Lean back and enjoy one of our educational videos

icon-woodwing-events-and-webinars

Events & Webinars

Meet us in person or virtually at one of our events or webinars


Latest articles

What is AI Governance? Benefits, needs, regulations and tips on using AI

What is AI Governance? Benefits, needs, regulations and tips on using AI

Transforming museum collection management: how visual search is shaping heritage preservation

Transforming museum collection management: how visual search is shaping heritage preservation

AI-powered DAM: the key to gaining a competitive advantage now

AI-powered DAM: the key to gaining a competitive advantage now

View all blog articles

Featured content piece

Medium Rare

How Content Agency Medium Rare delivers better client experiences and outcomes with WoodWing.

Read this case
Company

About us

icon-woodwing-about-woodwing

About WoodWing

Discover our company's vision, mission, and innovative solutions

icon-woodwing-management-team

Management Team

Meet the leaders driving WoodWing's success and growth

icon-woodwing-contact

Contact

Reach out to us for inquiries, support, and collaboration


Jobs & Press

icon-woodwing-job-opportunities

Job opportunities

Explore exciting career opportunities and join our team

icon-woodwing-press-release

Press releases & news

Stay updated with our latest company news and announcements


Partners

icon-woodwing-partners

Partners

Explore our partners for local support and expanded capabilities

icon-woodwing-become-a-partner

Become a partner

Join our global partner network and grow with us


Want to work for us?

Developer

Would you like to further develop your development skills? As our developer you will learn all about new techniques and innovations.

Join our team
Contact us
Home Inspiration Blog | WoodWing

Manufacturing

Quality Management

5 minutes of reading

'Zero Defects' Manufacturing: how the manufacturing industry aims for perfection

Flawless production and only happy customers. Who wouldn't want that? According to the 'Zero-Defects' manufacturing principle, it's possible. The idea behind it is to produce completely without errors, aiming to deliver customers only products that meet the highest quality standards. But what exactly is zero defects, how realistic is it to strive for it, and how do you apply it in your organization?

Shape

What is zero defects?

How many dfects are allowed in a design? How many complaints are too many? How many products may have a deviation? The ideal answer is: none. But that's not how it works because making zero mistakes is virtually impossible. And yet, that's the goal with 'zero defects production'.

Zero defects is a system for production and quality management. The principle: creating an organization where no mistakes are made. The idea behind Zero Defects is to pursue perfection in all aspects of the production process, from design to final delivery to the customer. Proponents argue that it promotes a culture of quality, employee engagement, and continuous improvement to meet the highest standards of quality and customer satisfaction.


The origin of the zero defect principle

Zero defects is one of the principles from the book Absolutes of Quality Management by American engineer and pioneer in quality management Philip Crosby. He has made significant contributions to the development of modern quality practices in the industry. He started his career at Procter & Gamble, where he worked as a quality manager and where he developed a thorough knowledge of quality processes.

Crosby strongly believed in the importance of preventing mistakes rather than correcting them after they occurred. This led to his famous mantra: "Do it right the first time". In his book Quality is Free, he further elaborated on the principle of 'zero defects' production. He argued that preventing mistakes not only improves the quality of products but also saves costs that would otherwise be spent on correcting errors and handling customer complaints.

Crosby's approach to Zero Defects received global recognition and was adopted by many companies worldwide. Even today, many of his ideas form the basis of modern quality management. Zero defects production is often mentioned in conjunction with lean working.

The basic principles of zero defects production

The idea of zero defects production is based on several basic principles, including the belief that defects are not inevitable, that prevention is better than correction, and that every employee plays a role in achieving the goal: zero defects in production. By applying these basic principles, Crosby believed that organizations would be able to deliver consistent quality, improve customer satisfaction, and reduce costs by preventing mistakes and striving for zero defects.

Quality is free

Quality is free - or Quality is Free. Crosby argued that preventing mistakes ultimately costs less than correcting them. He emphasized that investing in error prevention, such as through training, process improvement, and preventive measures, leads to long-term cost savings.

Zero defects

The foundation of zero defect is the pursuit of zero errors in all aspects of production and service. This means not only eliminating defects in the final product but also preventing errors throughout the process, from design to delivery. Quality control naturally plays an important role in this.

Quality awareness

Crosby emphasized the importance of creating a culture of quality awareness within an organization. This includes involving all employees in the pursuit of quality, providing training and support, encouraging responsibility for quality, and recognizing achievements in quality.

Do it right the first time

Crosby advocated for the importance of striving for perfection from the beginning. He believed that correcting mistakes is costly and ineffective. Therefore, it is essential to design and execute processes that aim to prevent errors and deliver a perfect product.

Committed management and employees

Crosby stressed the importance of management involvement in the pursuit of quality. He believed that leadership and management involvement are essential to create and maintain a culture of quality within an organization. Employees are also encouraged to actively participate in the pursuit of zero defects. This can range from identifying potential problems to suggesting improvements in processes and procedures.


Is the zero defects principle even manageable in the manufacturing industry? Or is it too costly to be realistic?

Defects per million opportunities (DPMO)

The effectiveness of a zero defects policy can be measured with Defects Per Million Opportunities, or DPMO, a measurement tool used in quality management to quantify the performance of a process based on the number of defects that occur per million opportunities or possibilities. The term is central to the teaching of zero defects production.

Defects refer to any error or deviation from the specifications that occurs during the production process. It could be a defective product, but also an error in a process step. Per Million opportunities refers to the total number of chances for errors to occur in the process.

A 'chance' can be defined as a unit of work or a process step where an error can occur. The number of opportunities is often normalized to a million to provide consistency when comparing different processes.

You can calculate the DPMO in your organization relatively easily by following these steps:

  • Identify the number of defects that occurred over a given period.
  • Identify the total number of chances or opportunities for errors that existed during the same period.
  • Calculate the number of defects per million opportunities using the formula: (Number of defects / Total number of opportunities) * 1,000,000.

Aiming for the lowest possible DPMO number is in line with the Zero Defects philosophy. A DPMO of zero means that no defects occurred in the process, which means that the perfect quality pursued in a zero defects approach has actually been achieved.

Criticism of the zero defects method

Making no mistakes is a noble pursuit. But how realistic is it? It won't surprise you that there is also quite some criticism of the zero defect method.

Unrealistic objectives

The most common criticism of zero defects is that striving for zero errors is often unrealistic. This is especially true in complex production processes or in situations where human involvement is a factor. Despite extensive efforts and investments, it is virtually impossible to prevent every possible mistake. Striving for zero errors is a goal in itself, but it makes the production process, and the quality management of it, so much more intensive and difficult that the end doesn't justify the means.

Costs and benefits

Applying the Zero Defects principle comes at a cost, both in time and resources. It's important to find a balance between the costs of quality improvement and the potential benefits for the organization.

Focus on process rather than innovation

Striving for zero defects can lead organizations to focus too much on perfecting existing processes rather than investing in innovation and growth. An excessive emphasis on error prevention can lead to a lack of flexibility in a rapidly changing business environment.

Demotivating for employees

If zero errors is the only acceptable outcome, employees become stressed and demotivated. This happens, for example, when errors are inevitable due to complex processes or external factors beyond employees' control. Too strong a focus on a flawless production process can lead to a culture of fear and risk avoidance.

No focus on customer needs

The idea is that zero defects leads to the most satisfied customers, but is that so? Focusing on eliminating internal errors can ensure that there is too little attention for customer interest. It is certainly possible that pursuing perfection does not lead to improved customer satisfaction or the best products.

Getting started with zero defects

Want to get started with zero defects production? Start with the books of Philip Crosby. And remember: the zero defect method can be effective, but don't see it as a so-called 'holy grail'. It is more a cultural change that can benefit your organization. Because although 100% perfection is almost impossible, striving for it in itself is a good goal to aim for.

Shape

Published on March 26, 2024

Kitty van Commenee

Kitty van Commenee, started as a Content Marketer and now a Demand Generation Manager, develops powerful marketing campaigns with a keen focus on writing, social media, and strategy.

Back to the overview

Placeholder