Methods and techniques

Methods of quality

Total Quality Management is defined as an approach to quality management in PBS, based on participation of all employees, focused on long-term success by meeting the needs of consumers. TQM is a way to improve the functioning of the PBS continually, on all its levels and using all available resources.

Methods of quality can be divided into three groups:

1. Basic tools of quality - Histogram, Scatter diagram, Correlation diagram, ABC-Pareto diagrams, Ishikawa diagrams and Control Charts.

2. Complementary tools of quality - Flowcharts, Nominal group technique, A guide for organizing meetings, Affinity Diagram, Fault tree diagrams, Matrix Diagram, PDPC (Process Decision Program Chart) diagram.

3. Methods and techniques of quality - brainwriting and brainstorming, SWOT analysis, FTA analysis (Fault Tree Analysis), Value analysis, Network diagram, Kanban, Rolling, Poka-yoke, Zero defect, FMEA method, QFD method and Method 7 steps.

Ansoff's matrix

Manufacturing garment is very important for economic every country. Markets researches, consumers' wishes, requests, and criteria mean inevitable and dominant task for a producer of garments, because by obtaining all these information a production can be directed, business planned with advanced defined aims and strategies. Marketing enables greater flexibility and better organization for more successful reaction to market demands.

Market analyses are perhaps difficult procedures for fashion industry, because they need time to see strong sides and opportunities although they are too eager to identify weaknesses and threats. It is important to be aware that once when weaknesses are identified, some steps to change them can be taken by training, so there is possibility to make it a strong side. That's why Ansoff's matrix a are useful techniques used to find out strong and weak points in a fashion industry. 


Ansoff's matrix is a marketing tool for development planning (since 1957 when his work was published in Harvard Business Review). It is a most commonly used model of analysis of possible strategic directions a company can undertake. Ansoff's matrix is the basis for identifying possible directions of strategic growth. Not only does it identify and analyze various opportunities for growth, but it also encourages planners to take the expected return and risk into account.

Ansoff's matrix in the garment industry

Development of buying and sale clothes by internet is one of possibility indicator of costumer needs. Modern way of communication and manufacture garment like "Made to measure" is next step for strategy in garment industry.

SWOT analysis

The concept of SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis dates back to the 60s of the 20th century. The aim of the SWOT analysis is to minimize the weaknesses while enhancing the strengths of company and how to take better advantage of opportunities while reducing threats from the environment. The SWOT analysis is of great help in planning and evaluating a job. The method is based on categorization of company activity factors in order to gain insight into the current situation. Strengths represent their own "strengths" that could be used for fitting in the environment and further development, whereas weaknesses are internal disadvantages which hinder the development and/or are an obstacle for fitting in the environment.

On the basis of SWOT matrix, there can be four alternative strategies:

• WT strategy that is aimed at reducing internal weaknesses, avoiding threats from the environment and internal weaknesses (fighting for survival, merging, liquidation or narrowing of business).
• WO strategy focuses on overcoming their own weaknesses in order to exploit opportunities or turning weaknesses into strengths that will respond to recognized opportunities.
• ST strategy uses strengths within business production system to reduce or avoid the impact of external threats.
• SO strategy uses strengths of organization to realize opportunities from environment. This strategy is the target of all production-business systems and the main goal is to move from the others (WT, ST, and WO) into this position in the matrix.

Application Quality Methods in Garment Production The textile industry is a very important branch of the Serbian economy, not only because it is consisted of a large number of companies and employees, whereas it has a large stake in the exports. Serbia exports about 78% of its clothing products to 6 European countries (Italy, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, France and Montenegro) and imports about 73% clothing products from China, Turkey, Slovenia, Germany and India. In 2007 there were 1489 registered textile companies, mostly SMEs. Read more: http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/34/3331/application-quality-methods-in-garment-production1.asp METHOD 7 STEPS Method 7 step is supported by the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle, and provides answers to questions: What to do to improve the quality?  Continuous repetition of 7 steps within the PDCA cycle developed many habits: - Understanding of the problem. - Training and promotion. - Teamwork. - Diagnostic process. Step 1: Selection problem To competed a fashion product for the market need to minimize errors (for example unevenly sewn belt loops and bartack, button-holes and button not properly positioned, band after finishing does not match the original dimension). Step 2: Collect and analyze data This step is the basis for exploring the causes of the problem. Therefore, we use quality tools such as: Histograms, Pareto diagrams, Scatter diagrams and Line diagrams. Step 3: Analysis of causes All causes of problems and errors can best perceive the application of Ishikawa diagram. Its application is enabled to: 1. Specify the basic questions and to pick the main factors of quality, and make their analysis and demonstrate a cause-effect relationships. 2. Facilitate resolution of problems, ranging from determining the symptoms, through due until finding a final solution. Step 4: Planning and implementation of solutions Deformation seams and errors is possible to predict the experimental samples (sample size 5x20 cm) of any changes in the characteristics of textile materials, threads and the types of sewing machines using a different type of weld (ISO 4915 and ISO 4916). Planning and implementation of solutions found errors that can be based on previous analysis to predict should be planned for each material and garment. Step 5: Assessment of the effects Application of modern CAD systems for design and construction garment to the adoption of models and production planning with all the parameters that influence on the final shape cutting parts and garment. Virtual pattern, sewing materials and simulations in a modern, fast and economical way is a step towards improving the quality and allows the most sophisticated design. Step 6: Standardization of solutions Standardization size, parts of patterns and the process of inevitable for success in the market. Step 7: Reflection Reflection on the process is identified to answer the question whether the problems are resolved, whether the results apply, the next part of the technological process should be improved and if workers accept the method

The McKinsey "7–S" framework 

The research regarding strategy implementation which was conducted by a consulting firm McKinsey & Company, led to formulating of the so-called "7-S" model, which shows six distinct but interrelated variables that are the focus of each process of change implementation.

The McKinsey "7-S" framework gives the frame of seven separate variables that are interrelated and must be the focus of a process of change management:
- Structure;
- Strategy;
- Systems;
- Style; 
- Staff;
- Skills;
- Shared Values or Superordinate Goals (integrated goals).