Which of the following activities falls under quality improvement?

Quality improvement is focused on enhancing the processes, products, and overall performance of an organization to meet or exceed customer expectations. Quality planning, which is the correct answer, involves identifying the quality standards relevant to the organization, determining how to achieve those standards, and outlining the strategy for monitoring and improving quality.

This approach is integral to Total Quality Management (TQM) practices. It enables organizations to systematically assess their quality-related objectives and create actionable plans to enhance performance, thereby leading to continuous improvement. By establishing a quality plan, businesses can set a foundation for quality improvement initiatives that address both current issues and future goals.

In contrast, market segmentation and employee retention strategies, while important for business strategy and operations, do not directly contribute to quality improvement efforts. Packing methods can influence product quality but are more about the logistics of product distribution rather than a broad quality improvement framework. Quality planning is specifically aligned with TQM principles, making it the essential choice in this context.