What term is used for activities that do not add value to the final product or service?

The term used for activities that do not add value to the final product or service is "non-value add activities." This concept is crucial in Quality Driven Management as it emphasizes the importance of identifying and minimizing waste within processes. Non-value add activities typically include steps that do not enhance the quality, functionality, or appeal of a product or service from the customer's perspective.

By focusing on eliminating these activities, organizations can streamline their operations, reduce costs, and ultimately deliver greater value to their customers. Understanding and clearly defining non-value add activities is essential for organizations aiming for operational excellence and continuous improvement.

In contrast, value-adding activities are those that directly contribute to meeting customer needs, while value enabling activities support those value-adding processes but do not constitute the core value themselves. Essential activities refer to necessary functions within an organization but may or may not directly contribute to customer value. Thus, recognizing and targeting non-value add activities is a critical step in improving overall quality and efficiency.