WMG is delighted to announce that Senior Teaching Fellow, Dr Kim Stansfield, has received international acclaim by winning the Akao Prize 2016, making him only the second ever British winner.

The Akao Prize is awarded to individuals around the world who have demonstrated excellence in their practice and dissemination of Quality Function Deployment (QFD).

Dr Stansfield says: ‘‘After 26 years of applying and developing the QFD approach, the customer led concurrent design approach, it is humbling to join such an august group of previous winners.

“Despite clear evidence of the benefits of following the QFD approach in product, system and service development, it is still seen as a curiosity in the UK. Prize winners over the past 20 years have predominantly come from Japan, USA and Germany, I hope that being the 2nd British winner will help to change thinking in the UK.”

Dr Stansfield will be officially presented with his award by Dr. Akao and the Executive Director of the QFD Institute at the International Symposium on QFD on Friday (9 September) in Idaho, USA.

About the Akao Prize:
Candidates are proposed by a committee of Dr. Akao, the Executive Director of the QFD Institute, and past winners.

The judging panel takes into consideration research, innovation, excellence in practical applications, teaching, authorship, and continual skills upgrading through QFD Certificates training, as well as notable personal commitment and service to the international QFD community, including leadership in international collaborations and research activities pertaining to QFD and presentations at the International Symposium on QFD.