The House of Quality (HOQ) is a product planning matrix diagram that is used to show how customer requirements relate directly to how companies can use methods to achieve those requirements. The HOQ is a design tool of the management approach known as quality function deployment (QFD) . The HOQ has been used successfully by Japanese manufacturers of consumer electronics, home appliances, clothing, integrated circuits, synthetic rubber, construction equipment, and agricultural engines.
The organizational capabilities of an emergency room can be represented in a House of Quality diagram by identifying the customer requirements and the methods that the emergency room can use to achieve those requirements. For example, some customer requirements for an emergency room might include:
- Quick response time
- Efficient triage process
- Accurate diagnosis
- Effective treatment
- Compassionate care
The methods that the emergency room can use to achieve these requirements might include:
- Adequate staffing levels
- Efficient patient flow processes
- Access to necessary medical equipment and supplies
- Effective communication between staff members
- Ongoing training and education for staff members
By mapping out the customer requirements and the methods that the emergency room can use to achieve those requirements, the House of Quality diagram can help to identify areas for improvement and prioritize actions to improve the organizational capabilities of the emergency room.
