Throughput is the rate at which a process or a system reaches its objectives/goals.  The rate was first discussed and heavily analyzed in the book Theory of Constraints.  The metric is most often measured using "rates" or "monetary" measurements (meaning money).  Throughput is often referred to as manufacturing cycle time.

  Quality Engineering is a discipline with the engineering circle that is focused on improving and innovating the all things related to the quality of a process or product. Quality Engineering is an important philosophy to understand within the continuous improvement umbrella.