According to W. Edwards Deming, how is quality defined?

Quality, according to W. Edwards Deming, is fundamentally defined by the customer’s perspective. This means that what constitutes quality is determined not by the organization or its internal standards, but by how the customer perceives the product or service in relation to their needs and expectations. Deming emphasized that understanding and meeting customer requirements is essential for long-term success. This customer-centric approach ensures that products and services not only meet industry standards but also fulfill the desires and needs of the users, leading to greater satisfaction and loyalty.

In contrast, defining quality based solely on internal standards does not account for the actual customer experience. Industry regulations, while important for compliance, may not align with what customers truly value. Likewise, product pricing does not necessarily correlate with quality, as higher prices do not always guarantee that a product meets the customer's expectations. Therefore, it is the customer’s perspective that remains the most important measure of quality according to Deming’s philosophy.