Quality Management, Zero Defects Zero Effect (ZED) way

The quality management is a very old concept with aim to improve the quality standard of the product(s) or the service(s). The basic and fundamental concepts of Quality Management are:

1. Customer satisfaction
2. Continuous improvement to attain next level of benchmark
3. Cost reduction
4. Reduction in waste
5. Involvement of all stakeholder
6. Upgrading knowledge of human resources

The quality management system which comprises of various ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards like QMS , EMS, EnMS, Safety and other many, there certification which help to ensure proper documentations as per requirement of specification and or guidelines and which further ensure the material , product and services are fit for intended purpose. In India, Quality Circle Forum of India (QCFI) working hard since 1982 to initiate awareness of quality concepts in Manufacturing and Service industry through various projects, seminar and training. Also, Quality Council of India (QCI) a joint set up of government of India ,representative from Indian Industry and other stockholder with aim to lead the nationwide quality movement by encouraging Industry , Research and Development to upgrade and promote Quality and special focus on Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) . Besides above, though many other initiatives taken by various institution and service industry in the field of Quality Management, there is need to improve on MSMEs industry, by focus on the Quality , cost optimizing , efficiency improvement and various training to upgrade. This need was well takenup with concept of Zero Defects Zero Effect.  History of Zero Defects Zero Effect The concept of ZED floated on dated 15 Aug 2014, India’s 68th Independence Day, address by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi from the ramparts of the Red Fort to the nation. He quoted that, “We should manufacture goods in such a way that they carry zero defect and that our exported goods are never returned to us. We should manufacture goods with zero effect that they should not have a negative impact on the environment”.  Also, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi wants the country to make ‘Brand India’ popular globally by ensuring that industry manufactures products with “zero defect” and no environmental effect. “One cannot stop at just ‘Make in India’. We have to develop ‘Brand India’ globally. For that, we have to manufacture products that have global demand with ‘zero defect and zero effect’ (on the environment), said while addressing industrialists and Government officials at the Make in India meet. India has to concentrate on developing five ‘M’s—man, material, machine, money and minerals—and there can be no stagnation in these areas.  What is ZED? The acronym ZED stands for zero defect, zero effect (on the environment). ZED is an Indian Government scheme with aim to encourage the MSMEs continuously to improve upon product quality through improvement of process with use of different quality tools and support the concept of “Make in India” This scheme was launched on 18^th October 2016at Ludhiana , Punjab by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. This scheme gives the financial support to MSME in ZED certification. How ZED works? This certification assessment is having two parts:

1. ZED rating , and
2. ZED Maturity assessment.

Process of ZED rating

1. Free Online Registration
2. Free Online Self Assessment
3. Desktop Assessment
4. Site Assessment

ZED rating category base on score minimum 2.2 to maximum 5, and assessment will be carried out on basis of 25 different parameters and will be valid for 4 years. The rating will namely as (1) Bronze (2) Silver (3) Gold (4) Diamond (5) Platinum. These rating will help the MSME to present recognition in International market and foreign direct investment in India. Training program and support will be given from ZED developed Consultant and trainer to improve rating and achieve next milestone; here audit will be carried out by QCI. ZED Maturity assessment The model for assessment is base on 50 different parameter and mainly process related, are:

1. Production Management
2. Quality Management
3. Design Management
4. Safety Management
5. Environmental Management
6. Energy Management
7. Natural Resource Management
8. Human Resource Management
9. Intellectual Property Management
10. Performance Management

In broader sense Sr No 1,2,3,4,9 and 10  will take care of  Zero Defects and Sr No 5,6,7,8, 9 and 10 will take care of Zero Effect. The number shows the success of ZED model till date,

1.  MSMEs participated in awareness program = 14712
2. MSMEs Registration = 7370
3. Online Self Assessment = 1224
4. Number of awareness program conducted = 372
5. No of training program = 43
6. No of professional trained = 1037

The concept, model and scheme of ZED found to be comprises of well known quality managements tools and methodology such as Lean ,5S and Kaizen are name a few ,which has been presented in such a way that same can be easily adopted by the MSME. This can be applied in day to day activity with little efforts and training. This will help to optimize the cost, productivity and efficiency and will supports to “Make in India” campaign.