Certified Production & Operations Manager (POM) Practice Exam

What are the three broad categories used to define quality?

1. User based, financial based, and engineering based

2. User based, manufacturing based, and product based

3. Customer based, manufacturing based, and service based

4. User centered, product centered, and process centered

The correct answer is: User based, manufacturing based, and product based

The correct answer highlights the three broad categories of quality as user-based, manufacturing-based, and product-based. Quality is often assessed from different perspectives depending on the context. The user-based definition emphasizes the user's satisfaction and perception of quality. This means that quality is measured based on how well a product or service meets the needs and expectations of the users. The manufacturing-based perspective focuses on the consistency and reliability of processes, emphasizing efficiency and adherence to specifications during production. Here, quality is often linked to the absence of defects and the overall performance in the manufacturing stage. Lastly, the product-based viewpoint defines quality in terms of the inherent characteristics of the product itself. It looks at the features, durability, and specifications of the product, evaluating quality based on its physical attributes and performance standards. Together, these three categories provide a comprehensive framework for understanding and assessing quality in various contexts, ensuring that all aspects—user satisfaction, production efficiency, and product attributes—are taken into account.