Purpose Product verification and validation are integral to quality management. Product verification means verifying the conformity between a product’s actual and planned characteristics whereas validation means determining whether and to what extent it satisfies customers’ requirements. One of the key forms of product validation is testing with a group of customers. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a graphical method of product validation based on the Kano model. Design/methodology/approach The approach is based on a proposed method for categorising requirements based on a Kano questionnaire and then applies this method for the validation of a product – a website. The proposed method is based on three steps: graphical determination of requirements in a Kano model; determination of requirement fulfilment degree and prioritisation of corrective measures and improvements. Findings The study opens space for discussion of the potential for improving a product and methods for identifying critical faults in products. The proposed method also permits an assessment of the potential effectiveness of an improvement because it is able to quantify the effect of the product on the consumer resulting from a given quantity of effort. A case study demonstrated that the resulting priority of corrective measures and improvements was affected not only by the level of fulfilment of the requirements but also by the type, the most critical being non-fulfilment of must-be requirements. Research limitations/implications The requirement curves are based on a verbal assessment of satisfaction in two states – if the requirement were fulfilled and if it were not fulfilled. The values of the start and end points may not be precise and could be affected by the natural character of subjective variables. Practical implications The proposed method is particularly suited to the initial testing of a product that is intended to lead to measures to eliminate customer dissatisfaction or increase their satisfaction – that is, to improve the product. The method also permits an assessment of the extent to which customers feel that their expectations have been satisfied and the effect that will be felt if the organisation decides to increase fulfilment. Originality/value The Kano model has not yet been applied to product validation, although it contains all the information necessary for this task. Knowing how satisfied customers are is an important part of product validation. At the same time, knowing a mechanism for “creating” this satisfaction is also very valuable information.

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This paper deals with a design and a shape optimization of a tool that combines punching of a tarpaulin with the tarpaulin grommet pressing in one operation. The tarpaulin grommet 0.5 mm thick with a diameter of 10 mm is made of DX51D+Z275MAC steel. The designed tool and its main shape dimensions are verified by using a numerical simulation in an ANSYS Workbench software and subsequently also by a practical experiment, i.e. verification and debugging functionality in cooperation with H + D kovo company.

Considerable pressure on quality of the business processes, their continual improvement and increasing of their efficiency is reflected in the requirements on graduates of technical universities and hence the educational systems. According to the industrial sector demand the "process" holistic thinking is being more and more discussed. It emphasizes the practical form of the teaching.The current challenge is becoming the Problem Based Learning (PBL) and its potential to gain truly practical experience in solving problematic tasks. PBL is thus getting involved into the teaching plans of more schools.The paper briefly discusses the innovative educational concept of "Learning Company" (EduCom). The concept is based on the current requirements of the industry on recruited employees and introduces the elements of problem-oriented teaching. The aim is to link the selected tutorials into a single project where the outputs of one course are the inputs of another course.The paper describes the existing experience with introducing the concept, its benefits, but also the problems that workers encountered. The planned activities for the development of the described concept will be mentioned as well.

The chapter deals with the maintenance management. The review is based on maintenance and management trends in organisations in 2022 and on other findings. There are also historical parallels. Aspects such as maintenance planning and control and management including downtime, resources in terms as material (spare parts and added materials) and personnel are discussed. The issue is linked to other management systems such as quality control, occupational safety, and environment and information security. The methods of planning and control of equipment maintenance are presented. The application of the process approach and the concept of maintenance as a process that needs to be improved are described. The relationship to the Industry 4.0 is mentioned. Linking to risk management is included in this chapter. The chapter is based on a small survey probe in several organisations, and points out identified nonconformities of the maintenance and suggested actions. The goal is effective maintenance for needs of organisations in a current dynamic environment.

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The difficult situation is affecting many organisations at the present time. This article mainly deals with ensuring of the quality of production on the example of a case study in one manufacturing organisation. However, it is about involving other aspects, such as: maintenance, social responsibility, process approach. Everything is based on specific findings related to the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Quality management tools and responsibility tools were applied in solving this complex task. The example of the mentioned organisation shows that the conformity application of aspects of the management system above in a holistic connection to soft resources not only supports the strengthening of production quality and the growth of efficiency, but it also strengthens an internal culture of the organisation. The goal is to ensure an efficient operation of the organisation and thus to support its competitiveness.

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