First Time Quality

The First Time Quality (FTQ) indicator, or quality first time, is a key measure of the efficiency of production processes. It indicates the percentage of products that meet all quality requirements after the first execution, without the need for additional corrections or repairs. A high FTQ indicates that a company is effectively controlling and optimising its production processes, which translates into lower costs, shorter lead times and higher customer satisfaction. A low FTQ, on the other hand, signals the need to analyse and improve production processes and quality control in order to avoid waste and increase the company's competitiveness.

Why measure the FTQ index?

Regular FTQ monitoring allows:

• Rapid identification of quality problems.
• Reduction in costs associated with patches, repairs and additional testing.
• Reducing production lead times.
• Increasing customer satisfaction through the delivery of quality products.
• Maintaining a competitive edge in the market through process optimisation.

How to calculate FTQ?

The calculation of the FTQ is straightforward and involves the following steps:

1. Identify the number of products that meet the quality requirements the first time (without corrections).
2. Determine the total number of units produced.
3. Divide the number of products meeting the quality requirements by the total number of units produced.
4. Multiply the result by 100% to get the FTQ percentage.

Formula for the FTQ indicator:

FTQ (%) = (Number of products meeting quality requirements the first time / Total number of units produced) × 100%

Example of calculation of FTQ

The company produced 5,000 units of the product. Of these, 4850 units met the quality requirements immediately, without the need for corrections or repairs. Calculation: FTQ (%) = (4850 / 5000) × 100% = 97% This means that the FTQ is 97%, which is a very good result and indicates effective quality control and optimal management of the production process.

How to improve a company's FTQ rate?

To effectively raise the FTQ, it is worth implementing the following measures:

1. Regular staff training - educating the team on quality standards and quality control methods.
2. Optimisation of production processes - analysing and improving the stages of production that generate the most errors.
3. Implementation of quality monitoring systems - automated quality control systems allow errors and their causes to be identified quickly.
4. Improve internal communication - clear procedures, instructions and information flow between departments.
5. Regular quality audits - systematically checking production processes and implementing corrective actions.

Summary - why is the FTQ indicator so important?

The First Time Quality indicator is a key measure of the effectiveness of a company's quality management. It enables a company to quickly identify problems, minimise production costs and increase customer satisfaction. Regular tracking and improvement of this indicator should be an integral part of any manufacturing company's quality strategy. Want to improve the quality of your company's production processes? Contact our experts - we will help you optimise the FTQ indicator and increase your company's competitiveness in the market!