CTQ — Critical to Quality

In plain English

CTQ characteristics are the key attributes that must be met to satisfy customer requirements.

CTQ defines what actually matters to the customer.

Not everything — the critical parts.

What they actually mean

If everything is CTQ, nothing is.

CTQs force uncomfortable prioritization.

Example

Does it actually matter?

✅ Yes — focus-wise.
CTQs prevent teams from optimizing the wrong things.