Definition: It is possible to speak about the quality of a product when it meets the definite standards. These standards and qualities can be correlated with the design of the product and its functions. Thus, standards or values according to which the product is designed and possible variations which are permissible to meet standards can be discussed as specifications (Collier & Evans, 2011, p. 303).
From this point, the concept of specifications in operation management is based on certain values which can be explained as targets and variations which are known as tolerances. Specifications can be defined with references to targets and tolerances as the main features to speak about the quality of the product in relation to its design and process of manufacturing (Collier & Evans, 2011, p. 303).
Role: Specifications are important to set definite standards for the production of different goods. Moreover, the quality of the product is also discussed with references to its design specifications and associated measures. Specifications in the form of targets and tolerances are set by designers in order to meet the quality standards and manufacture the product which can be used widely to respond to the customers’ needs and expectations.
Thus, it is important to pay attention not only to targets as the values met while producing goods but also to tolerances as the permissible variations which can affect the quality of the end product (Collier & Evans, 2011, p. 303). As a result, specifications can be standard and permissible, and they depend on the definite measures.
Applicability: Specifications are the necessary aspect to discuss the quality of the product, especially with references to producing vehicles. Customers are inclined to draw conclusions about the quality of the product paying much attention to the standard specifications, and professionals usually analyze the quality of the vehicle concentrating on the possible tolerances as the features to affect the general quality of the end product. It is important to note that the product cannot be discussed as meeting the quality standards when it does not conform to specifications (Collier & Evans, 2011, p. 303).
Thus, the problem is in the fact that designers can work out different specifications for various models in order to accentuate the uniqueness of the product. However, the general standards and values should be followed strictly to guarantee the production of high-quality goods.
For instance, choosing a vehicle, customers pay attention to such engine specifications as the type of the engine used, horsepower, fuel delivery and economy, and the transmission type. The task of the Ford Motor Company’s designers is to develop a model with the characteristics and specifications which could meet the highest technology standards and customers’ expectations in relation to the new model of a vehicle.
The success of the car model within the market usually depends on the definite specifications because these characteristics can influence the quality of the product directly. That is why, the designers of Ford Motor Company concentrate on the necessary research, development, and improvement of the vehicles’ characteristics according to their specifications in order to attract the customers’ attention to the new models of the higher quality (Ford Motor Company: Vehicles – Global Models, 2012).
Specializing in manufacturing vehicles, companies are often challenged with the problem of tolerances. Ford Motor Company focuses on developing strategies and programs which should be used to prevent critical variations in products.
The company’s designers are responsible for determining such specified tolerances which can be followed without a risk of the product failure because of the impossibility to meet the set standards or targets (Ford Motor Company: Vehicles – Global Models, 2012). Thus, to develop the functional product, it is necessary to focus much on its design according to specifications and definite quality standards.
References
Collier, D. A., & Evans, J. R. (2011). OM 3. USA: Cengage Learning.
Ford Motor Company: Vehicles – Global Models. (2012). Web.