Quality Function Deployment and Systems Supportability: Achieving Key Performance Parameters and Ensuring Functional Alignment

This book not only presents the overall development of quality function deployment (QFD) and what it has been used for to date but a new product support orientation by which it can be employed.

John Longshore, PhD. is an Associate Professor of Management within the David B. O’Maley College of Business at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach Campus. His academic teaching responsibilities include Systems Engineering Management, Project Management, Production and Operations Management, Quantitative Methods in Business, Lean Six Sigma and other related business courses. Dr. Longshore is a designated Naval Aviator with over 4,000 hours of operating and command experience in fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. Over a 22 years career in the Marine Corps Dr. Longshore developed and managed the introduction of numerous aircraft systems to include the CH-53E, AV8A/B and MV-22 systems. Upon his retirement from the Marine Corps Dr. Longshore oversaw the introduction of the F/A-18A and F-117 aircraft systems into the international inventory via Middle East introduction in Kuwait. Working with Booz-Allen and Hamilton Dr. Longshore developed numerous fleet logistical readiness models which continued to be employed today. After joining Northrop Grumman as Director of Aeronautical Systems, Dr. Longshore served as the Production Manager for the Aerostructures division in Nashville, TN. and then the Vought Aircraft Manufacturing site in Dallas TX. Selected as a Vice President of Operations for a joint venture between Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. Dr. Longshore planned, built and managed a regional Maintenance, Repair and Overall facility in the United Arab Emirates.

Dr. Longshore holds a BS degree for the Naval Post Graduate School in Industrial Engineering, BS degree Aviation Management and MBA/A from ERAU, Executive MBA from the Wharton School and a PhD from Nova Southeastern University. He is professionally certified as a Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Lean Six Sigma Sensei, Master Professional Logistician, Supply Chain Professional, Project Management Professional, Airframes and Power Plants Mechanic, Scrum Master, Blockchain Professional, Society of Quality Assurance Professional and American Society of Appraisal (ASA) Appraiser.

Angela Cheatham, Ph.D.is an Assistant Professor of Management with the O’Maley College of Business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She teaches supply chain management from a logistics perspective, general management, and management of production and operations. Throughout her career, she has worked with the development and implementation of processes and policies related to management and operations, logistics, and curriculum.

Dr. Cheatham holds a BS in Technical Management and MS in Management with a specialization in Integrated Logistics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She earned her Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in Homeland Security, Leadership, and Policy. Published dissertation focused on U.S. Space Policy and space operations. She holds a yellow and green belt in six sigma and has participated in FAA and industry projects focusing on commercial space integration, supply chain, and lean processes.

James R. Gibson, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Engineering Management with the College of Business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. His academic teaching responsibilities include engineering management, quantitative analysis, and business analytics. Dr. Gibson is a retired United States Marine Corps naval aviator, squadron commander, experimental test pilot, weapons and tactics instructor, forward air controller, and qualified in the KC-130, V-22, and six additional type model series aircraft. Following the Marine Corps, Dr. Gibson worked for Bell as an experimental test pilot and Simplified Vehicle Operations technical lead supporting the V-280, V-247, BH525, BH360, and APT programs. His research focuses on energy economics and sustainability in urban air mobility.

In addition, he works with organizations in East Africa and India to assist subsistence farmers in growing trees to generate carbon offsets. Dr. Gibson holds a BS in Biochemistry from Virginia Tech, a MAS in Aviation Safety from Embry-Riddle, a MoE in Industrial and Systems Engineering from North Carolina State University, Ph.D. in Systems and Engineering Management from Texas Tech University, and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.