What is the primary responsibility of the engineering department in relation to quality?

The primary responsibility of the engineering department in relation to quality centers around designing products that meet customer needs. This is crucial because quality assurance begins with the design phase. Engineers must ensure that products are not only functional but also reliable, safe, and capable of satisfying the expectations of customers.

When engineers focus on designing products that align with customer requirements, they incorporate quality features and considerations right from the start. This proactive approach means that potential quality issues can be addressed before manufacturing even begins, significantly reducing the risk of defects and ensuring that the final product delivers value.

In contrast, the responsibilities associated with overseeing manufacturing processes, inspecting finished products for defects, and training employees on quality standards, while important, typically fall under the purview of other departments such as manufacturing, quality control, and human resources, respectively. Each of these roles supports the overarching goal of quality, but the engineering department's initial role in design is foundational to achieving overall product quality.