Who stated that "Quality is conformance to requirements"?

The statement "Quality is conformance to requirements" is attributed to Philip Crosby, who was a prominent figure in the field of quality management. Crosby's philosophy centers around the idea that the primary measure of quality is whether or not a product or service meets established specifications or requirements. He emphasized that adhering to these standards is critical for ensuring customer satisfaction and reducing costs associated with defects and rework.

Crosby is well-known for his contributions to quality assurance and for developing the "Zero Defects" concept, which focuses on the importance of prevention rather than inspection. By defining quality in terms of conformance to requirements, he highlighted the importance of thorough planning and process control in achieving high-quality outcomes.

In contrast, other quality experts like W. Edwards Deming, Joseph Juran, and Armand Feigenbaum have different views on quality. Deming focused on the continuous improvement process and the system of profound knowledge; Juran emphasized the fitness for use and a broader view of quality that includes customer satisfaction; and Feigenbaum introduced the concept of total quality control. These differing philosophies show the diversity in understanding quality but do not align with Crosby's specific definition regarding conformance to requirements.