Lean Six Sigma

Learn how the QA Matrix helps in the optimization and quality of production processes!

Find out how your organization's production processes and quality control can be optimized with the QA Matrix!

Thiago Coutinho
Published on Oct 13, 2021  ·  Updated on Nov 16, 2021
QA Matrix

The QA matrix is one of the main tools so that results and production processes can be optimized and offer the end customer a great differential in their product.

What are the main criteria evaluated by your customers when purchasing a product from your company or organization?

Well, although this is a question with a wide variety of answers, it is essential to understand that the quality of the products or services offered is one of the fundamental and essential points for consumers during the acquisition and preference process.

However, despite being a very important point, quality alone is not the only one among all the parameters used when assessing the desire to buy a product, for example, thus being a criterion seen as essential within organizations. In this way, we can understand that quality in products and processes are essential factors inside and outside an organization and seeks to achieve them, it is necessary and fundamental.

The QA matrix is then a tool that is present during these processes, and assists in the implementation of production processes with high quality.

Although the quality aggregation process is often observed in the final stages of the products, or even during the presentation of results, it is essential to realize that the steps before its delivery are of utmost importance and must be very well structured and detailed to ensure an increasingly standardized and optimized process.

The quality gain when using the QA Matrix is a great differential within organizations and can offer several positive results. The highlight compared to other competitors is one of them, it can significantly increase the profits of organizations.

Other benefits such as continuous improvement when implementing the use of the QA Matrix, reduction of errors and waste are observed during this process, as well as the increase in the quality of products or services, ultimately generating greater satisfaction of the end customer.

For you to stay even more aware of the news about the QA Matrix, its benefits, and the implementation process, we have separated in this article several pieces of information. Check it out!

  • What is the QA Matrix?
  • Benefits of the QA Matrix;
  • QM Matrix and QA Matrix
  • How to implement the QA Matrix?

What is the QA Matrix?


The Assured Quality Matrix, or QA Matrix, is one of the main tools when we think about the quality aggregation process in production processes and relates directly to the steps observed within the production sector of organizations.

One of the main objectives within the QA Matrix is the process of identifying failures that generate some kind of defect or influence the quality of processes.

One of the main methodologies that can be applied within organizations after the implementation of the QA Matrix is the culture of zero-defect processes, optimizing the production process and offering great results.


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QA Matrix

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Within organizations, this is a very challenging phase for managers and product and project development teams, since the implementation of different culture models and habits will directly impact the results obtained.

When we analyze an organizational culture with continuous improvement, we can see that the opportunities for process optimizations are greatly encouraged, which largely promotes positive results.

With the QA Matrix, the critical points of the processes will be identified, making effective earning strategies even more validated within your organization.

The QA Matrix is then seen as one of the initial processes of productive improvement, in addition to the implementation of quality control, so that each of the organization's production processes will be listed for the identification of failures and improvements.

After starting the implementation phase of the QA Matrix, the next step will take place from the development of the improvement plans.

Now that you know a little more about the QA Matrix and its main concepts, it's time to learn its benefits and how to deploy it in the right and most effective way for your organization.

Benefits of the QA Matrix


The QA Matrix is seen as one of the main tools so that the technical pillar of quality, found within the WCM methodology, is effectively applied. It can be observed that from it, some improvement processes are implemented, such as:

  1. Prioritization of process abnormalities events;
  2. Ease in the process of identifying critical situations regarding quality
  3. Analyze the anomaly in detailed 4M at the operating level;
  4. Direct development of problem and project charts

Visualize the problems in production processes, regarding suppliers and in the development of activities and projects

Even with so many benefits for irrigation in general, it is important to note that the correct implementation of the QA Matrix follows some steps, such as the QM Matrix, which we will address soon after.


QM Matrix and QA Matrix


The QM Matrix, or also Quality Maintenance Matrix is a matrix generated from the implementation of the QA Matrix and serves so that the points of improvement or critical are listed to prioritize those that are most harmful to the progress of production.

Thus, the QM Matrix requires a high detailing standard, so that actions can be taken effectively and offer validated results that can be used.

Within the specifications of the QM Matrix, it is observed that the processes will follow a certain pattern, with 4 phases and predefined criteria, and that need to be carried out correctly.


1. Standard

The first criterion within the QM Matrix is the establishment of the operating pattern of a machine or even a team.


2. Method

After the first process, it is necessary to identify and establish how to verify quality standards and how often this verification will be.


3. Correction

The correction will already be started at this next stage if any error or improvement process can be properly applied.,


4. Person in charge

The final phase will be to define who will be responsible for verifying and also correcting problems if they have been effectively identified.

Now that you have understood a little more about the QM Matrix and how it relates to the QA matrix, it is time to identify the means of its implementation.

The QM Matrix is used so that the points of improvement are identified within the production process, while the QM Matrix analyzes and specifies what the improvement plans will be, how to carry them out, and control them, from an analysis of the 4 processes mentioned above.


How to implement the QA matrix?


One of the first steps for the implementation of the QA Matrix is the mapping of processes within the production lines, determining each phase for the respective areas that will undergo adjustments, for example.

Although this is a phase identified after the deeper study of the equipment, for example, it is possible to apply improvements more quickly to machines that already have some kind of clear defect or in large quantities.

For each component of the listed processes, you will find the critical points by assigning risk values, through a risk matrix.

The QA Matrix also identifies processes defined in 4 phases so that defects can be effectively combated. Check it out:


  1. Frequency;
  2. Cost;
  3. Gravity;
  4. Detectability.

Such factors will then be defined in an order of priority, that is, a note ranging from 1 to 5 about their quality and critical points.

At the end of this process, a pre-established formula will be used, so that the quality of products and processes can be established correctly and usually within organizations.


PRIORITY = (FREQUENCY * COST * SEVERITY * DETECTABILITY)


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Thiago Coutinho
Written by
Thiago has a degree in Production Engineering, a graduate course in statistics and a degree in administration from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF). Black Belt in Lean…

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