Which category is NOT part of the cost of quality?

The category that is not part of the cost of quality is operational costs. In the context of quality management, the costs are generally categorized into four specific types: prevention costs, appraisal costs, internal failure costs, and external failure costs. Each of these categories relates directly to efforts made to ensure quality or the consequences of failing to meet quality standards.

Prevention costs involve expenses incurred to prevent defects and ensure that the products or services are produced without issues right from the start. This includes costs related to training, process control, and quality planning.

Appraisal costs are associated with measuring and monitoring activities to ensure quality standards are met. These costs include inspection and testing of materials and finished products.

External failure costs arise when a product or service fails to perform as expected after delivery, leading to warranty claims, returns, or damage to reputation.

Operational costs, on the other hand, refer to the ongoing expenses required for the day-to-day functioning of a business, like rent, utilities, and salaries unrelated to quality management. While operational costs contribute to the overall costs of running a business, they do not directly fall under the cost of quality categories, which specifically target the expenses related to achieving and maintaining product or service quality.