A capability maturity model (CMM) for long-term management of Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) implementations – ZDM-CMM

The proposed evaluated Capability Maturity Model (CMM) for long-term management of Zero Defect Manufacturing (ZDM) implementations, ZDM-CMM, is intended as a tool for organizations initiating or advancing their ZDM initiatives. This ZDM-CMM offers guidance on key perspectives crucial for successful ZDM development, deployment, and potential objectives for measuring maturity and progress over time. The evaluation of the ZDM-CMM highlights use in balancing conflicting objectives such as speed, cost, and quality, with sensitivity analysis recommended to determine their relative importance. While additional objectives were suggested, the current model provides a foundational framework to be refined with further experience. The CMM, designed primarily for tracking maturity rather than comparing implementations, emphasizes the significance of considering various perspectives early in ZDM project planning to ensure comprehensive management. Although not yet widely adopted, the companies that participated in the evaluation expressed interest in using the CMM for visualization of progress and holistic assessment of ZDM efforts. Further, the ZDM-CMM is expected to provide significant insights for project planning, potentially saving time, resources, and ensuring thorough consideration of critical ZDM aspects.