1.  Quality  with the logistics system is extremely important.  The simple act of  delivering items to customers on time is part of quality logistics.  I  must admit that I have read a lot about

1.  

Quality  with the logistics system is extremely important.  The simple act of  delivering items to customers on time is part of quality logistics.  I  must admit that I have read a lot about lean six sigma off and on over  the last few years, but one metric always seems to pop up.  According to  C. Witt (2002), Six  Sigma is an organizational methodology for achieving total quality  throughout the company. The goal of Six Sigma is to enable business  processes to produce results with no more than 3.4 defects per million.   After reading those words just about every article I have seen on the  topic, the word consistency jumps of the page at me.  I am still sitting  here thinking, how in the world do you do something a million times and  only make a mistake 3.4 times.  It sounds like a chemistry, blood test,  or environmental agencies metric!  In any case, to achieve this level  of “perfection” companies have to invest in continuous improvement.  The  can do this by "Measuring the capability of a process, establishing  goals for improvement and implementing a system of management to achieve  lasting business leadership and top performance." (Whalen, 2002)  There  a few areas that I don’t necessarily agree with which is just my way of  baiting the class up for a response.  Some of you make the perfect  entries on the front end and it’s hard to make up a question that you  haven’t already answered in your initial responses.  

 The  second question in this discussion which is "why is it important to  stress quality in a logistics system? Why or why not?” It almost seems  like a no brainer but I believe the intent is to make us really think it  through.  We can apply six sigma to our own systems, but there are few  real-world challenges that have me nervous.  First, I need some help  getting buy-in at this local dental office.  My plan for our SLP is to  use my wife’s dental practice as my intellectual and academic test bed.   They all know that quality boils down to getting the patient what they  need when they needed.  Somehow, I am going to need to approach the  group and explain that we can continuously improve that supply system in  an effort to get to six sigma.  Here is that catch.  They feel like  that are doing just fine!  I suppose I need to explain that the “why” in  the situation is to remain ahead of the competition, build customer  loyalty, and reduce time wasted on process that doesn’t support those  patients.

I  have more to say about this, but I just tossing my hook in the water  for someone to bite.   I am not even close to being an expert and I have  had enough drama in the past year to really want these techniques to  work.  Resilience in an organization many times boils down to perfecting  your craft.  If we can implement these lessons, I feel like that hard  times won’t be so hard.

There  is a section in our reading from C. Witt (2002) and covers the  following points about perfect order fulfillment.  The following is the  banker’s definition of perfection.

Perfection means the order is delivered: 

* On time and undamaged; 

* With agreed upon value-added services done right; 

* In quantities ordered and no unauthorized substitutions; 

* Correct billing. 

2.  

Quality  in logistics refers to systems that directly impacts the whole supply  chain process and eventually affects the profitability margins of an  organization. Therefore, to maintain a competitive advantage in the  market and to reduce operational costs, quality control in the supply  chain is critical. Thus, quality control is essential to prevent waste  prevailing beyond a tolerable quantity. Hence it is necessary to  understand the issues that drive quality control.

Quality  in logistics addresses the defects and issues that may arise during the  whole supply chain process. Organizations can enhance quality control  in logistics through a system such as the six sigma approach. According  to Witt (2002) “The six sigma methodology aims at reducing defects in  production by 3.4 defects per million of produced products”. Hereafter,  the method may be applied through the DMAIC approach that focusses on  the modification of existing procedures. Otherwise, the DMADV tactic can  be used for building processes from the ground up to manage quality  within organizations.

 All  factors are geared towards improving quality by reduction of variance  in production. For example, huge companies such as General Electric and  Motorola have implemented the six sigma approach in streamlining their  quality control processes, and the revenues have been encouraging with a  stellar performance by both companies (Whalen, 2002).

 However,  the six sigma approach is hampered by poor execution, the inadequate  commitment by leadership to implement the methodology and lack of proper  understanding of what the strategy entails as companies rush to apply  the method. Consequently, quality control delineates on after sale  services from the manufacturing facility. Addressing the quality of  goods produced ensures the company retains its customer satisfaction and  reputation in the industry. 

References

Witt, C. E. (2002, May). Achieving Six Sigma logistics. Material Handling Management, 57(5), 10. Retrieved on June 15, 2019, from ProQuest in the Trident Online Library.

Whalen, J. (2002, May). Logistics embraces Six Sigma quality. Warehousing Management, 9(4), 11. Retrieved on June 15, 2019, from ProQuest in the Trident Online Library.

3. Without a successful and fully operational transportation system in  place, warehouse or supply chain management is nearly impossible.