How to Ensure Product Quality During Development: 7 Leaders Weigh In

Richard Branson has said, “Your brand name is only as good as your reputation.” Offering high-quality products can significantly enhance a brand's reputation, building customer trust, fostering loyalty, and creating positive associations with the brand.

So how do you ensure that your products and services are top quality? We posed that question to seven business leaders who shared with us the methods they employ to guarantee that their products meet the highest standards for a positive customer experience.

How to Ensure Product Quality Before Release

1. Involve Customers in Product Development

"Engage your customers during the product-development phase. As a small bubble tea shop owner, we regularly introduce new flavors or revised recipes to our menu. One successful approach we have taken to leverage this process is to address customer complaints. For example, when a customer once raised concerns about the quality of our cream cheese product, we compensated them with a free drink and invited them to test the revised version of the cream cheese product, seeking their approval for the updated menu.

"If you involve customers directly, they are more likely to enjoy the product and feel a sense of ownership in the company. This encourages them to stay engaged, share their opinions, and fosters loyalty rather than them leaving or spreading negative feedback about the brand."
—Joyce Tsang, Joyce Tsang Content Marketing

2. Conduct Quality Inspections

"We implement meticulous inspections at multiple points during our manufacturing process, from inspecting raw materials to final packaging. Our quality checklists cover product specifications, consistency, customer requirements, and sign-offs by key personnel.

"For example, a Fortune 500 outdoor gear company approached us to manufacture private-label camping lanterns. We analyzed their product designs and developed a customized quality checklist to ensure each component met their standards. During production, our inspectors verified dimensions, materials, and lumen output. We also conducted drop tests to confirm durability. Continuous quality control allowed us to deliver 80,000 lanterns on schedule with zero defects.

"Third-party certification has been equally important. We work with accredited auditing firms to verify compliance with industry regulations and standards. Their stamp of approval provides unbiased credibility that builds customer confidence in our operations."
—Albert Brenner, Altraco

3. Continuously Test Features and Foster Transparency

"We ensure quality by continuously testing new features and integrations with real customer data in a sandbox environment. Once we're confident in the functionality of a product, we roll out to beta customers for feedback. Only after addressing any concerns do we release to all customers.

"We also build trust through transparency. We share product road maps, engage customers for input, and take all feedback seriously. If an issue arises, we take responsibility and fix it fast. Our customers appreciate our responsiveness and honesty.

"Great products require diligence and continuous improvement. A single bad experience can damage trust, but consistent quality strengthens relationships and credibility."
—Louis Balla, Nuage

4. Build a Culture of Ownership

"Everyone on your product development team should feel responsible for delivering a great product. The world of product development is fast-paced and it is tempting to adopt a 'do it and get it out the door' attitude, especially if the team doesn't feel responsible for the output. However, when a team has a sense of ownership, they prioritize producing quality and reliable products. They pay attention to detail and conduct tests to identify and solve potential issues with the product before it reaches the customer.

"A culture of ownership helps create pride in delivering exceptional experiences. The development team will become familiar with the customers' needs and then translate those needs into features that solve customer problems, building trust."
—Lev Tretyakov, Fortador

5. Partner with Reputable Suppliers

"When companies works with reliable suppliers, they can focus on their core competencies and trust that the materials they receive will meet the necessary standards and specifications. This allows them to streamline their development process and reduce the likelihood of delays or quality issues arising from subpar materials. Customers, in turn, can trust that the company is using high-quality components in their projects, giving them peace of mind and confidence in the final product.

"By establishing long-term relationships with reputable suppliers, companies can often secure better pricing and priority service, which can lead to cost savings and improved efficiency. These benefits can be passed on to the customer in the form of competitive pricing and faster project completion times, further enhancing the company's credibility and reputation in the market."
—Tyler Poole, White Oaks Construction

6. Employ a User-Centered Design Process

"Time and again in product research, we have seen trusted brands diminish in the eyes of their customers through the experience delivered. When an experience falls short of customer expectations, doesn't fit with the customers' way of doing things, or just feels like customer needs haven't been considered, the damage to trust and credibility can be long-lasting.

"Most product teams are experts in their field and understand their product inside out. They can forget, though, that their customers aren't necessarily as technically savvy as they are, may not have the same high-definition screen that they have, or may even have disabilities or impairments. When they don't take these considerations into account, there can be a disconnect between how they think a product will work versus how it actually works.

"User-centered design (UCD) puts the customer needs front and center. It provides a framework that means the decisions taken as the product evolves are always made with the customer in mind. At worst, products that are built using UCD have a neutral impact on customers—a good experience is like oxygen; it is only noticed when absent. But at best, they reinforce the trust and credibility of the brand by delivering an experience that makes the customer feel their personal needs have been considered."
—Paul Blunden, UX247 Ltd

7. Establish a Feedback Loop

"Implementing a feedback loop during the product development phase is one of the most effective ways to ensure quality and reliability. By continuously collecting input from everyone involved, such as engineers, production teams, and even early users, you can catch potential issues early and make necessary adjustments before they become bigger problems.

"For instance, we once received critical feedback from our field inspectors that pointed out a flaw in a new QC tool we were developing. Because we had a feedback loop in place, we were able to correct the issue swiftly, saving us time and avoiding potential setbacks. This kind of proactive approach not only leads to a better final product but also demonstrates to customers that you’re committed to quality.

"When customers see that you actively seek out and respond to feedback, it builds trust and credibility, which are invaluable in maintaining long-term business relationships."
—Habib Rkha, QCADVISOR

About the Author

Post by: Brett Farmiloe

Brett Farmiloe is the founder and CEO of Featured, a platform where business leaders can answer questions related to their expertise and get published in articles featuring their insights.

Company: Featured
Website: www.featured.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn.