Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: quality in cohousing: a choice of 5 definitions

[Hans Tilstra (tilstra]

1. Transcendent definitions of quality (eg. "Quality is neither mind nor
matter, but a third entity independent of the two... even though Quality
cannot be defined, you know what it is"   "... a condition of excellence
implying fine quality as distinct from poor quality... Quality is achieving
or reaching for the highest standard as against being satisfied with the
sloppy or fraudulent." )
In cohousing, this approach would carry the risk of exclusivity &
incongruence with environmental aspirations.

2. Product-based definitions of quality (eg. "Differences in quality amount
to differences in the quantity of some desired ingredient or attribute."
"Quality refers to the amounts of the unpriced attributes contained in each
unit of the priced attribute")
What are the attributes we look for in particular?

3. User based definitions of quality (eg. "Quality consists of the capacity
to satisfy wants ..."  "In the final analysis of the marketplace, the
quality of a product depends on how well it fits patterns of consumer
preferences."  "Quality is fitness for use".  ). Fitness for use is quite a
clever definition in cohousing as well -

4. Manufacturing-based definitions of Quality ("Quality [means] conformance
to requirements.", "Quality is the degree to which a specific product
conforms to a design or specification."  )
I like cohousing qualities anchored to findings by writers as McCamant &
Durrett, Chris Hanson & Christopher Alexander.

5. Value-based Definitions of Quality (eg. "Quality is the degree of
excellence at an acceptable price and the control of variability at an
acceptable cost."
"Quality means best for certain customer conditions. These conditions are
(a) the actual use and  (b) the selling price of the product."  )
In cohousing, we are drawn to potential economies of scale, but it would not
be a primary motive.



If anyone wants the references, can you email me direct?
Hans at tilstra [at] smartchat.net.au




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