CONTENT

1. Introduction.........................................................................................................................
2. Goals...................................................................................................................................
3. Methodology.......................................................................................................................
4. Paradigm, customer need...................................................................................................
5. Voice of the Customer........................................................................................................
6. Survey content....................................................................................................................
7. Survey Results....................................................................................................................
8. Quality Function Deployment (QFD)...................................................................................
9. Product description and design...........................................................................................
10. Failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) applied to the product, proposing ways to
improve its reliability...................................................................................................................
11. Selecting the flow strategy..........................................................................................32
12. Process description.....................................................................................................32
13. Conclusions...................................................................................................................4
14. Literature..................................................................................................................... 35
15. Annexes......................................................................................................................36
 1. Introduction

The purpose of this document is to acquire new knowledge and consolidate the
topics covered in the planning and control of processes subject, by identifying a need
for the subsequent search for a product that satisfies it, continuing with the design of
said product and the study of its acceptance in a possible market.

To achieve this, the tools provided in class were used; such as conducting a survey,
determining the sample size, analyzing results, QFD matrix, analysis of failure
modes and effects, selection of the flow strategy, among others, in order to translate
the client's needs and specifications that they require into characteristics and factors
to be taken into account for the subsequent design of the product.
 2. Goals

Carry out the process of invention, creation and design of a product or service based
on the identification and interpretation of a need that a population has, based on
what has been taught in class.

Specific objectives

 Apply and reinforce all the concepts shared and taught in class.

 Develop and create a product or service that satisfies a previously identified

need with the help of the tools provided in class (QFD matrix, how to conduct a
survey, flow strategy selection, etc.).

3. Methodology

The development of this document began with the identification of a need that is
currently present once it has been identified.
We continued with a brainstorming of possible products or services that could satisfy
this need, after organizing all the ideas we proceeded to choose the best idea at our
own discretion.

With the product idea already defined, we proceeded to determine the sample size,
construct a survey (which helps us understand different aspects of the client and
their needs) and carry it out with the help of the Google Forms tool, which was
disseminated through social networks, to find out the public's opinions and the
possible acceptance or rejection of the product.

The response from the public was positive so we continued with the design of the
product taking into account the information provided by potential customers through
the survey, information that helped us determine factors such as price, color and
whether or not the product was accepted by people.

Once the product has been designed, we continue with the application of the
concepts taught in class: QFD matrices, product description and design, analysis of
failure modes and effects.

We continued with the choice of the flow strategy and finally we made the description
of the process.

4. Paradigm, customer need.

In Colombia, the number of pets has grown, therefore, the market is responsible for
supplying their needs. This statement can be inferred from some figures from
Fenalco, the Colombian pet industry grew five times more, going from moving
US$60 million in the year.

2000 to US$300 million in 2018. Furthermore, taking into account the latest survey,
43% of Colombian households say they own a pet and there are about 3.5 million
pets in Colombia, of which 67% are dogs, 18% are cats and 16% of households
have both. It is worth noting that, according to Fenalco, 39% of households with pets
are from the middle class and 47% from the upper class, contrary to the belief of
some people that pets are more popular at the base of the social pyramid.

Cats are one of the favorite pets of Colombians. They have been in our society for a
very long time and their unique behavior, intelligence and ability have captivated
many Colombian homes. Having a cat at home brings with it food, veterinary,
recreational and even shelter needs, but this work will focus on the need to clean the
home of the feces of our beloved felines, and thus maintain a healthy environment
for the whole family.

While there are options for managing feces, such as setting aside outdoor locations,
this can have negative consequences for the safety of cats, and ultimately, waste is
left behind if improperly managed. One of the options that the market offers is the
typical litter box for cats, and although they largely meet the needs of odor
management, and keep homes free of feces, it is very uncomfortable and annoying
to clean it, because it is a very manual process. That is why the chosen need is to
make the activity of cleaning the cat litter box more comfortable.

5. Voice of the Customer

Sample size calculation

The following equation is used to calculate the sample size, since the population size
is unknown:
where:

n= size of the sample to be found

Z: confidence level, in this case a reliability of 90% (1.65) will be used
e: degree of error, in this case a degree of 10% will be used
p: probability of occurrence, 50% will be used
q: probability of non-occurrence, 50% will be used

The sample size is 68, this tells us that we must study 68 people by conducting a
survey.

6. Survey content

In order to identify the aspects of interest to the client and to segment the market to
which the product is directed, designed to satisfy the need raised in this work, to
make cleaning the cat litter box more comfortable, a survey is designed based on the
questions presented below:

1. How many cats do you have?: Find out what capacity the client needs.
2. What is the current method you use for disposing of your cat waste?: Find out
what method the client currently uses.
3. What do you find comfortable about the current way you dispose of your cat's
waste?: You want to know how satisfied your customer is with the method
they currently use.
4. Are you in charge of cleaning your cat's litter box?: Seeks to identify whether
the study population performs or has performed the activity that we seek to
make easier through the proposed product.
5. Do you find cleaning your cat's litter box tedious or difficult?: Seeks to identify
how the surveyed population feels about the activity that we seek to make
easier through the product.
6. Would you be willing to use a litter box that has a built-in grate to collect the
droppings for easier disposal? - aims to obtain opinions on the functionality of
the intended product.
7. What bothers you or makes it difficult for you about cleaning your cat's litter
box?: The aim of this study is to find out the opinion of the population,
specifically targeting the discomfort that can be caused by the activity that is
sought to be improved through the product.
8. Would you be willing to try a new type of litter box?: Seek to obtain an opinion
on the willingness of the study population to use the proposed product.
9. How often do you completely change the sand in the sandbox?: Try to identify
how often the sand gets dirty.
10. How often do you completely clean the litter box?: Try to identify how often a
complete cleaning of the litter box is required due to debris lodged at the
bottom of the tank.
11. When purchasing a litter box, do you prefer a deep or shallow one?: Try to
identify the customer's preferred depth.
12. Do you have preferences regarding the material, thickness, shape and other
characteristics of the litter box? Which ones? It seeks to identify the material,
thickness, shape or other characteristics that the customer prefers when
purchasing.
13. When purchasing a litter box, what is your preferred color?: Try to identify the
customer's color preference.
14. When purchasing a litter box, would you like to buy it with a cover?: Try to
identify whether the customer prefers to use their litter box without a cover or
with a cover.
15. Do you use a commercial scoop to pick up litter box waste?: Try to identify the
product that your customer prefers to pick up litter.
16. What other products do you consider important for cleaning up your cat's
waste?: Try to identify the products that the client considers important in
addition to the litter box.
17. What criteria do you consider most important when purchasing products for
disposing of your cat's waste?: Try to find out what criteria customers consider
essential when purchasing this type of product.
 18. What price would you be willing to pay for this product?: The purpose is to
determine how much potential customers would be willing to pay for the
product offered.
19. What products on the market do you know or have used for your cat's litter
box?: Try to identify which products currently on the market meet the potential
customer's needs.

7. Survey Results

The information obtained from the survey is presented below through tables and
graphs.

How many cats do you have?

1 41 60%
2 16 24%
3 3 4%
 More than 3 8 12%
Total 68 100%
Board 1. Results of the question How many cats do you have?

Figure 1. Results of the question How many cats do you have?

What is the current method you

use for disposing of your cat's
waste?
Sandbox 49 72%
Outdoor 14 21%
Sanitary 2 3%
Other 3 4%
Total 68 100%
Board 2. Question results What is the current method you use for disposing of your cat's waste?
Figure 2.. Question results What is the current method you use for disposing of your cat's waste?

Are you in charge of cleaning

your cat's litter box?
Yeah 52 78%
No 15 22%
Total 67 100%
Board 3. Results of the question: Are you responsible for cleaning your cat's litter box?
Figure 3. Results of the question: Are you responsible for cleaning your cat's litter box?

Board 4. Question results: Do you find cleaning your cat's litter box tedious or difficult?
Do you find cleaning your cat's
litter box tedious or difficult?
Yeah 32 47%
No 36 53%
Total 68 100%
 Figure 4. Question results: Do you find cleaning your cat's litter box tedious or difficult?

Would you be interested in using

a litter box that has a built-in
grate to collect poop for easier
disposal?
Yeah 63 93%
No 5 7%
Total 68 100%
Board 5. Question Results Would you be interested in using a litter box that has a built-in grate to collect
droppings for easier disposal?
Figure 5.Results question Would you be interested in using a litter box that has a built-in grate to collect
droppings for easier disposal?

How often do you completely

change the sand in the sandbox?
2 to 7 days 22 34%
8 to 15 days 19 30%
16 to 21 days 14 22%
22 to 30 days 5 8%
More than 30 days 4 6%
Total 64 100%
Board 6. Results of the question: How often do you completely change the sand in the sandbox?
Figure 6. Results of the question: How often do you completely change the sand in the sandbox?

How often do you thoroughly

clean the litter box?
2 to 7 days 8 13%
8 to 15 days 20 32%
16 to 21 days 19 30%
22 to 30 days 8 13%
More than 30 days 8 13%
Total 63 100%
Board 7. Results of the question: How often do you completely clean the litter box?
 Figure 7. Results of the question: How often do you completely clean the litter box?

When purchasing a litter box, do

you prefer a deep or shallow one?

Deep 43 63%
Shallow 25 37%
Total 68 100%
Board 8. Question Results When purchasing a litter box, do you prefer a deep or shallow one?
Figure 8. Question Results When purchasing a litter box, do you prefer a deep or shallow one?

When buying a litter box, what is

your preferred color?
White 8 12%
Blue 26 38%
Green 9 13%
Khaki 3 4%
Black 4 6%
Pink 2 3%
Purple 2 3%
Grey 3 4%
Indifferent 11 16%
Total 68 100%
Board 9. Question Results When buying a litter box, what is your preferred color?
 Figure 9. Question Results When buying a litter box, what is your preferred color?

When purchasing a litter box,

would you like to buy one with a
cover?
Yeah 38 56%
No 30 44%
Total 68 100%
Board 10. Question Results When purchasing a litter box, would you like to buy it with a cover?
Figure 10. Question Results When purchasing a litter box, would you like to buy it with a cover?

Do you use a commercial shovel

to pick up litter from the
sandbox?
Yeah 51 76%
No 16 24%
Total 67 100%
Board 11. Question results Do you use a commercial shovel to pick up litter box waste?
 Figure 11. Question results Do you use a commercial shovel to pick up litter box waste?

What criteria do you consider

most important when purchasing
products for disposing of your
cat's waste?
Price 31 46%
Comfort 32 47%
Design and color 3 4%
Other 2 3%
Total 68 100%
Board 12. Question results: What criteria do you consider most important when purchasing products for
disposing of your cat's waste?
Figure 12.Results of question What criteria do you consider most important when purchasing products for
disposing of your cats' waste?

What price would you be willing

to pay for this product?
20.000 - 59.999 43 63%
60.000 - 99.000 24 35%
100.000 - 149.999 1 1%
150,000 or more 0 0%
Total 68 100%
Board 13. Results questions What price would you be willing to pay for this product?
 Figure 13.Results questions What price would you be willing to pay for this product?

Analysis of results

According to the results obtained in the survey, taking into account that the
population surveyed has a cat as a pet, we can observe that 60% have only one cat
and 40% have 2, 3 or more cats in their homes.

As for the methodology used to dispose of cat waste, the use of a litter box
predominates at 72%, while 21% allow the cat to go outside and relieve itself
outdoors. Finally, the remaining 7% use the toilet and other alternatives to dispose of
waste. Furthermore, 78% of the population surveyed is responsible for cleaning their
pet's litter box and 53% do not consider this task to be tedious or difficult, while 47%
say that they find it difficult and tedious. However, 97% are interested in trying a
litter box with an integrated grate that collects the excrement and makes it easier to
dispose of it.

There was a lot of diversity in the questions regarding the cleaning routines that the
population surveyed has with their cats' litter boxes. But it can be said that 54% take
less than 2 weeks to completely change the sand in the litter box and 75% take less
than 21 days to completely wash the litter box.

Finally, we observed that, regarding preferences when purchasing a litter box for
cats, 63% of the population surveyed prefer a deep litter box, while 37% prefer it to
be shallow. Preferences are also perceived regarding the color of the litter box in the
following order of favoritism: Blue with 38%, Green 13%, White 12%, 16% are
indifferent to the color and the rest have preferences for colors such as: Khaki,
Black, Purple, Pink and Gray. As for the shape of the litter box, 56% say they would
like to purchase a litter box with a cover; as complementary accessories to the litter
box, 76% use a commercial shovel. Of the criteria that the population considers
important when purchasing products for the disposal of cat waste, 47% say they are
looking for convenience, 46% are looking for economy, and the rest are concerned
about design and color, among others. Regarding the price that respondents are
willing to pay, 63% would pay between $20,000 and $59,999, 35% between
$60,000-$99,000 and a small proportion would pay up to $149,000.

8. Quality Function Deployment (QFD)

Quality Function Deployment (QFD) is a quality management method based on

transforming user demands into design quality, implementing the functions that
provide the most quality, and implementing methods to achieve design quality in
subsystems and components, and ultimately to specific elements of the
manufacturing process.

In this way, with this methodology we can mathematically calculate what

characteristics we should add when designing a product or service. We will also
know which are the unnecessary features that add extra cost to the product without
being appreciated by the user and it will give us an overview of how our product
compares to the competition in order to decide which are the priority aspects to
improve.

Attributes

To start, we must name the value attributes, we decided that there would be three:
Comfort, Price and Design and Color. Thanks to the analysis of the survey we can
find that, for our potential client, the attributes have the following order of priority :

Attribute Priority Percentage

Comfort 48%

Price 47%

Design and Color 5%

Board 14. Attribute Priority

To build the Quality Houses, three possible types of relationships are defined
between the What? and the How? Strong, which will be assigned the number 10;
Medium, which will be assigned the number 5; and Weak, which will be assigned the
number 0. In turn, the possible correlations between the How? are defined as
Positive or Negative.

 House of Quality I

In the first House of Quality, we start from the information obtained from the survey
analysis, and thus use the needs and requirements of the design identified to obtain
the product that the client needs.

Based on the above, the attributes considered by potential customers are taken into
account in order to obtain their relative weight. Assuming a relationship between the
what and the how, which can be Strong, Medium or Weak, the development process
of the house in question begins, then the average ratings and the respective relative
weight are calculated, to which
design requirements, which will be necessary for the next step.
 Figure 14.House of Quality I

 House of Quality II

The second House of Quality demonstrates the relationship between design

requirements and design characteristics, using as a basis the ratings and relative
weights obtained from the first house, and determining for the second house the
materials necessary to satisfy the product design being planned. At the end, the
average ratings and respective relative weights of the materials are calculated.

Figure 15. House of Quality II

 House of Quality III

As with the previous Houses of Quality, average ratings and relative weights are
calculated, but this time for the Key Operations of the Process, after having identified
them and related them to the Design Characteristics.

Figure 16.House of Quality III

 House of Quality IV

Finally, the Fourth House of Quality is developed, this time the Production
Operations are identified, and these are related to the Key Operations previously
found, once again the average ratings and relative weights are calculated.
 Figure 17. House of Quality VI

Thanks to the four Houses of Quality developed above, four types of priorities can be
identified that are essential for product planning and design. Initially we can conclude
that Odor Control is the primary design requirement, and part of the efforts should be
concentrated there. Furthermore, Accessories and Shape are also the priority in the
Design Features. On the other hand, the priority process with the product is to
remove excrement easily, and for this reason, it must be extremely present in the
functionality of the product. Finally, we can say that it is almost equally important to
maintain Product Quality, keep Costs Low and also work with Design Engineering.

9. Product description and design

Smart Deposit is a totally revolutionary product in the pet industry, this item will
make the lives of many cat owners easier. Delays, bad smells and tedious searches
for litter in the litter box will be a thing of the past.
At first glance, Smart Deposit is a normal litter box with a lid, made of the same
material and design as conventional litter boxes, but with an accessory capable of
collecting all the cat's waste in a single collection.

This accessory that makes us different from any other litter box consists of a
removable grid placed at the base of the litter box, made with stainless steel wires;
the space between each wire is designed to pass the clean sand and retain the sand
with waste that is in the litter box, avoiding the accumulation of annoying waste at
the bottom of the litter box and the discomfort caused by looking for waste and
ending up with clumps of dirty sand mixed with the clean sand.

Figure 18. External design.

 Litter box with lid designed to prevent bad odors from escaping.
 Wide entry hole for all breeds and builds.
 Suitable height for the comfort of all races and builds.

Figure 19. Box design.

  Perfect size for the optimal amount of sand.
 Adequate depth to prevent sand from escaping when digging.

Figure 20. Grid design

.

 Grate designed for the passage of clean sand and retention of waste.
 Easy to clean
 Easy to assemble and disassemble.
 Measurements: 48.3 x 38.1 x 43.2 cm
 Weight: 1.49 Kg
 Colors: Yellow/Blue
 Materials: Plastic, stainless steel.

10. Failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) applied to the product,
proposing ways to improve its reliability.

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is a procedure that allows identifying
failures in products, processes and systems, as well as objectively evaluating and
classifying their effects, causes and identification elements, in order to avoid their
occurrence and have a documented method of prevention.
 .

Board 17. FMEA, Non-detection

Board 16. FMEA, Gravity.

Board 18. Application of FMEA tool.
 11. Selecting the flow strategy.

Competitive priorities for the product will focus on cost and volume flexibility. The first
is to attract customers with the idea of a useful and economical product. To do this,
we will use an economy of scale, which consists of reducing costs by increasing
production. The second seeks to ensure the availability of the product necessary to
satisfy demand without incurring excessive inventory costs.

Based on competitive priorities, a mass production system was chosen because it is

the system where high quantities of an identical product are produced at low cost.
This system also allows production to be planned to avoid inventory surpluses.

12. Process description

This diagram shows step by step the procedure to collect the litter using the Smart
deposit. During the procedure you should have on hand a plastic bag for the waste,
the broom and the dustpan to collect the sand that is outside the box and an air
freshener to eliminate bad odors after having collected the pet's litter.
Figure 21. Process diagram for collecting waste with the Smarth Deposit litter box
 13. Conclusions

 Thanks to the survey, it can be seen that there is acceptance of the product
by customers, which indicates that if the product were to be launched, it would
be successful in the market.
 It is important to use mechanisms that help to understand the client's needs
and/or the suggestions that they have for the design of a product that meets
these requirements and characteristics. In the case of this work, the
mechanism used was surveys.
 If you want to launch a product or service on the market, you must carry out a
study like the one done in this work, since this helps the comprehensive
development of said product or service, listening to the voice of the client and
anticipating possible errors.
 The QFD tool provides greater clarity on the key aspects of the product and
its production, helping us to prioritize them and thus generate a more effective
and efficient product, closer to the needs of customers.
 Understanding FMEA as a set of guidelines, a method and a way of
identifying potential problems (errors) and their possible effects, in the case of
the Smart Deposit product, the potential problem is that the cover (roof) may
take up more space than the client has available.
 14. Literature

 https://www.gabrica.co/noticiasesp/noticia-2-esp-destacada/
 https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/QFD
 https://www.pdcahome.com/1932/qfd-despliegue-calidad/
 https://www.ingenieriaindustrialonline.com/lean-manufacturing/analisis-del-
modo-y-efecto-de-fallas-amef/
 http://www.lider-ship.com/capacidades-competitivas/
 https://www.ingenieriaindustrialonline.com/lean-manufacturing/analisis-del-
modo-y-efecto-de-fallas-amef/
 15. Annexes
FIGURES

Figure 1. Results of the question How many cats do you have?.................................9

Figure 2.. Question results What is the current method you use for disposing of your
cat's waste?...............................................................................................................10
Figure 3. Results of the question: Are you responsible for cleaning your cat's litter
box?.......................................................................................................................... 11
Figure 4. Question results: Do you find cleaning your cat's litter box tedious or
difficult?..................................................................................................................... 12
Figure 5.Results question Would you be interested in using a litter box that has a
built-in grate to collect droppings for easier disposal?..............................................13
Figure 6. Results of the question: How often do you completely change the sand in
the sandbox?.............................................................................................................14
Figure 7. Results of the question: How often do you completely clean the litter box?
.................................................................................................................................. 15
Figure 8. Question Results When purchasing a litter box, do you prefer a deep or
shallow one?............................................................................................................. 16
Figure 9. Question Results When buying a litter box, what is your preferred color?. 17
Figure 10. Question Results When purchasing a litter box, would you like to buy it
with a cover?............................................................................................................. 18
Figure 11. Question results Do you use a commercial shovel to pick up litter box
waste?.......................................................................................................................19
Figure 12.Results of question What criteria do you consider most important when
purchasing products for disposing of your cats' waste?............................................20
Figure 13.Results questions What price would you be willing to pay for this product?
.................................................................................................................................. 21
Figure 14.House of Quality I......................................................................................24
Figure 15. House of Quality II....................................................................................25
Figure 16.House of Quality III....................................................................................26
Figure 17. House of Quality VI..................................................................................26
Figure 18. External design........................................................................................28
Figure 19. Box design............................................................................................... 28
Figure 20. Grid design...............................................................................................29
Figure 21. Process diagram for collecting waste with the Smarth Deposit litter box...2

TABLES
Board 1. Results of the question How many cats do you have?.................................9
Board 2. Question results What is the current method you use for disposing of your
cat's waste?...............................................................................................................10
Board 3. Results of the question: Are you responsible for cleaning your cat's litter
box?.......................................................................................................................... 11
Board 4. Question results: Do you find cleaning your cat's litter box tedious or
difficult?..................................................................................................................... 12
Board 5. Question Results Would you be interested in using a litter box that has a
built-in grate to collect droppings for easier disposal?..............................................13
Board 6. Results of the question: How often do you completely change the sand in
the sandbox?.............................................................................................................14
Board 7. Results of the question: How often do you completely clean the litter box?
.................................................................................................................................. 15
Board 8. Question Results When purchasing a litter box, do you prefer a deep or
shallow one?............................................................................................................. 16
Board 9. Question Results When buying a litter box, what is your preferred color?. 17
Board 10. Question Results When purchasing a litter box, would you like to buy it
with a cover?............................................................................................................. 18
Board 11. Question results Do you use a commercial shovel to pick up litter box
waste?.......................................................................................................................19
Board 12. Question results: What criteria do you consider most important when
purchasing products for disposing of your cat's waste?............................................20
Board 13. Results questions What price would you be willing to pay for this product?
.................................................................................................................................. 21
Board 14. Attribute Priority........................................................................................23
Board 15. FMEA, Occurrence...................................................................................29
Board 16. FMEA, Gravity.......................................................................................... 30
Board 17. FMEA, Non-detection...............................................................................30
Board 18. Application of FMEA tool............................................................................1