Open quality in the digitalization era: concept, principles, and implementation framework

Quality goals have evolved according to the industrial revolution stages from ‘Small Quality’ to ‘Big Quality’ and now to ‘Open Quality’ in the digital transformation era. This study systematically reviews the chronological development of quality paradigms describing how quality management has evolved from Small to Big to Open Quality. We delineate the concept of Open Quality, emphasizing MTCI-based approach: measurability, traceability, connectivity, and integration. An implementation framework is also presented for the practical adoption of the Open Quality concept along with six key principles. The proposed framework is finally validated through a case study in a South Korean defense company.