Quality Management Terms

Term	Definition
Value-Added	Each time work is done to inputs to transform them into something of greater usefulness as an end product.
Variables Data	Data that is measured on a continuous and infinite scale such as temperature, distance, and pressure rather than in discreet units or yes/no options. Variables data is used to create histograms, some control charts, and sometimes run charts.
Variance	A measure of deviation from the mean in a sample or population.
Variation	Change in the output or result of a process. Variation can be caused by common causes, special causes, tampering, or structural variation.
Vision	Often incorporated into an organizational mission (or vision) statement to clarify what the organization hopes to be doing at some point in the future. The vision should act as a guide in choosing courses of action for the organization.
Walter Shewhart	The father of statistical process control or statistical quality control. He pioneered statistical quality control and improvement methods when he worked for Western Electric and Bell Telephone in the early decades of the 20th century.
Zero Defects	Philip Crosby's recommended performance standard that leaves no doubt regarding the goal of total quality. Crosby's theory holds that people can continually move closer to this goal by committing themselves to their work and the improvement process.

Quality Managers