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Last updated on Jan 14, 2025
  1. All
  2. Manufacturing
  3. Lean Manufacturing

Your team is divided over cost vs. quality in lean manufacturing. How do you resolve the conflict?

In lean manufacturing, the tension between cost and quality can create division within your team. To resolve this, focus on finding a balance that meets both objectives effectively. Here are some strategies:

  • Facilitate open discussions: Encourage team members to voice their concerns and perspectives to foster mutual understanding.

  • Use data-driven decisions: Analyze production metrics to identify the optimal balance between cost and quality.

  • Implement incremental changes: Test small adjustments in processes to see how they impact both cost and quality, then scale successful strategies.

How do you manage cost vs. quality conflicts in your team?

Lean Manufacturing Lean Manufacturing

Lean Manufacturing

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Last updated on Jan 14, 2025
  1. All
  2. Manufacturing
  3. Lean Manufacturing

Your team is divided over cost vs. quality in lean manufacturing. How do you resolve the conflict?

In lean manufacturing, the tension between cost and quality can create division within your team. To resolve this, focus on finding a balance that meets both objectives effectively. Here are some strategies:

  • Facilitate open discussions: Encourage team members to voice their concerns and perspectives to foster mutual understanding.

  • Use data-driven decisions: Analyze production metrics to identify the optimal balance between cost and quality.

  • Implement incremental changes: Test small adjustments in processes to see how they impact both cost and quality, then scale successful strategies.

How do you manage cost vs. quality conflicts in your team?

Add your perspective
Help others by sharing more (125 characters min.)
186 answers
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Anil Tomar

    COO @ Aliaxis India | Curious about Leadership | Committed to People, Purpose & Performance

    • Report contribution

    Start with Customer first: Poor quality leads to lost trust, complaints, and higher costs in the long run. 1. Quality Saves Cost – Right-first-time manufacturing prevents defects, rework, and waste. 2. Use Data – Track Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ) 3. Lean = Smart Efficiency – Use Jidoka, Poka-Yoke, and Kaizen to eliminate waste without compromising quality. 4. Optimize Design – Apply DTV (Design to Value) and VAVE (Value Analysis & Value Engineering) to align product design with customer needs while eliminating unnecessary costs. It’s not cost vs. quality—done right, you achieve both. Lean isn’t about cutting costs; it’s about eliminating waste while delivering the highest value to customers.

    Like
    45
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Juan Valdez, CLSSBB

    Senior Executive in Manufacturing & Product Development | Lean Six Sigma Black Belt | Innovator Driving Operational Excellence | Industry 4.0 Leader | Strategic Business Development Expert

    • Report contribution

    1️⃣ Align on Customer Value Focus the team on the ultimate goal: delivering value to the customer. 2️⃣ Use Data-Driven Decision-Making Analyze metrics like Cost of Poor Quality (CoPQ), cycle times, and defect rates. Let objective data guide the discussion. 3️⃣ Prioritize Continuous Improvement Apply Kaizen to identify solutions that reduce waste while maintaining quality. Encourage small, incremental changes that balance both goals. 4️⃣ Conduct Root Cause Analysis Use tools like the 5 Whys or Ishikawa diagrams to address the root of the conflict and focus on process improvements. 5️⃣ Promote Cross-Functional Collaboration Involve both cost-focused and quality-focused stakeholders in VSM to create solutions that align their perspectives

    Like
    33
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    P V Ravi Shankar

    People Leader | Switchgear | Packaging I Multi-Plant Operations | EHS | Business Transformation I LEAN I Best Practices I Cost I Projects I ESG I

    • Report contribution

    First of all.. the team need not be divided in first place.. of the core focus is LEAN MANUFACTURING.. COST is one of the benefits/ outcome in LEAN MANUFACTURING.. If TEAM is trained well & matured, there will be any division of thoughts. The TEAM LEADER will be the right person to resolve the issues & guide towards to implementation of LEAN MANUFACTURING..

    Like
    17
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    BALAMURUGAN B

    Sr. Manager – Lean manufacturing, Compliance & Systems | 14 + yrs. | Lean & Quality Expert | Six sigma – Master black belt | APQP4Wind | Certified Auditor – ISO 9001, AS9100D, ISO 14001, IS0 45001| TQM | WCM| CRM

    • Report contribution

    To resolve the conflict between cost and quality in lean manufacturing: Align on Goals: Stress that both cost and quality are crucial for delivering value to customers. Use Data: Use key metrics to show how improving quality can actually reduce costs over time. Encourage Small Improvements: Support continuous, small changes that can help balance both cost and quality. Collaborate: Bring together teams focused on cost and quality to find solutions that meet both needs. This approach ensures a balance between cost and quality, leading to greater efficiency.

    Like
    15
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Beau Groover

    Founder at tes.run. I help leaders GSD and win! Let’s Get Sh!t Done!

    • Report contribution

    Start by clarifying that cost and quality aren’t opposing goals in lean manufacturing—they actually support each other when done right. Facilitate a team discussion to identify how improving quality can reduce waste, rework, and ultimately costs. Use data to show examples of where focusing on quality has saved money or improved efficiency. Then, align everyone around the shared goal of maximizing value for the customer while balancing cost and quality effectively.

    Like
    10
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Omar Carmona

    Co Founder en Value Added Academy

    • Report contribution

    Balancing Cost vs. Quality in Lean Manufacturing: In Lean manufacturing, cost-cutting and quality improvement often clash, creating team conflicts. Strong leadership and emotional intelligence (EQ) help bridge this divide. 1. Self-Awareness: Leaders must recognize personal biases toward cost or quality to remain neutral. 2. Empathy: Understanding both perspectives fosters collaboration. 3. Emotional Regulation: Staying calm ensures constructive discussions. 4. Social Skills: Data-driven decision-making aligns teams. 5. Motivation: Keeping the team focused on the bigger goal—customer value. By balancing cost and quality, leaders drive Lean success through teamwork and smart decision-making.

    Like
    8
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    HARSH VARDHAN

    Operation and Supply Chain Management expert. Enorise || Ex- FEV || Ex Hero || Ex ZF Hero |Plant leadership || CLSSGB ,VDA6.3,IATF,BIQS

    • Report contribution

    A data driven COPQ and COGQ will help in decision making Normally we only focus on the cost of poor quality but a similar focus is also required on the cost of good quality. Of course COPQ will lead to cost saving in the long run, but we also need to see cogs vs cogq and If cost of good quality is that high in comparison of cost of goods sold then we need to improve the manufacturing process with low cost and highly effective solution. However it is sometime a never ending debate like what came first - Hen or the egg.

    Like
    7
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Antonio Patino, MBA, SSBB, CQE

    Director of Operational Excellence / NPI at Walbar Engine Components LLC

    • Report contribution

    Help the team define value added from the customer perspective to understand the least cost to achieve quality needed. This should help clarify the balance between the 2z

    Like
    6
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Amir Hossein Karimi

    CEO at Karimi Stone Co.

    • Report contribution

    Reaffirm the Lean Principles: Begin by emphasizing that lean manufacturing prioritizes delivering value to the customer with minimal waste. Both cost efficiency and quality are integral to achieving this goal. Focus on Customer Needs: Ensure the team understands that customers expect both affordability and reliability. Highlight how quality lapses can increase long-term costs through returns, rework, and loss of reputation.

    Like
    5
  • Contributor profile photo
    Contributor profile photo
    Richard Turner

    Corporate Extrusion Engineer, Genpak

    • Report contribution

    All very good answers to be sure however, the risk in every solution that is data driven includes accurate KPI, accurate record keeping, is ALL data included in the CoPQ analysis? Create a diverse team to debate/argue components. In the end, there is a business to run. And, as always, have fun!

    Like
    5
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