Soft technologies in manufacturing

A comprehensive quality function (CQF) with quality components for each of the customers to whom the product relates during its whole life-cycle is defined. It is suggested that, by progressively quantifying the CQF, it becomes a global optimization tool for steering the enterprise on a path of long term viability. The models developed in the quantification process summarize the knowledge foundation of the enterprises. The key feature of the authors´ definition of the CQF is that it combines technological and economic aspects with human, social and environmental aspects in a single conceptual framework