Which strategy is emphasized in Taguchi's approach to ensure quality in manufacturing?

Taguchi's approach emphasizes designing for robustness to ensure quality in manufacturing. This strategy focuses on creating products and processes that are less sensitive to variations, thereby maintaining performance despite inherent uncertainties in materials, processes, and environmental factors. By prioritizing robustness in design, companies can achieve consistent quality and reliability, resulting in better customer satisfaction and reduced costs associated with defects or rework.

This approach contrasts with merely increasing quality inspections or training, which are more reactive methods. While hiring inspectors or enhancing employee training can contribute to quality improvement, they do not address the root causes of variability. By focusing on robust design, Taguchi's philosophy encourages proactive measures that minimize defects before they occur, leading to superior manufacturing quality.