The role of test in a 'continuous improvement' environment

Manufacturing companies are employing strategies such as JIT/TQC (just in time/total quality control) to achieve continuous improvement'. It is suggested that the key to quality in a continuous improvement environment is the reduction of critical parameter process variation through an ongoing pursuit of process-related continuous improvement. It is further argued that the only way companies will be able to tell whether process improvement is in fact taking place is by having statistically capable, precise, accurate, stable, and controlled measurement and test processes. The role of the test professionals working in the continuous improvement arena will be to develop these processes. Their job will be to add value to the processes which produce the customers' products.<>