Quality, cost, delivery (QCD) as used in lean manufacturing measures a businesses activity and develops Key performance indicators. QCD analysis often forms a part of continuous improvement processes.
Although it has roots in the manufacturing sector, QCD can be used in a variety of business environments such as supply chain management and engineering.
QCD offers a straight forward method of measuring processes while being applicable to both simple and complicated business processes. It also represents a basis for comparing businesses. For example a business measuring supplier delivery performance may easily compare its findings against other businesses performance.