Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) Practice Exam 2025 - Free Quality Engineer Practice Questions and Study Guide

The major classifications used in a cost of quality system are correctly identified by the elements of prevention, appraisal, and failure.

These classifications provide a structured approach to understand and categorize the costs associated with ensuring quality within a product or service.

- Prevention costs refer to the investments made to prevent defects or issues from occurring in the first place. This can include costs associated with training, process improvements, and quality planning.

- Appraisal costs are related to the evaluation of products or services to ensure that they meet quality standards. This includes costs incurred for inspections, testing, and audits to identify defects before delivery to customers.

- Failure costs arise when products or services fail to meet quality standards, leading to internal or external failures. Internal failure costs occur when defects are found before the product reaches the customer, while external failure costs are associated with defects that are discovered after delivery.

By categorizing costs into these three areas, organizations can better analyze their expenditures related to quality, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies to enhance overall quality management. This comprehensive understanding allows for more effective decision-making in quality initiatives.