I've read through a few posts about this clause but I still don't think I quite get it. Currently we are ISO 9001 and transitioning over to IATF 16949 and I'm trying to make a 3 year audit calendar to spread out a few of our audits over this three year period.I believe that some processes can be audited every 2 or 3 years due to strong documentation and previous audits … [Read more...] about Internal Auditing and Risk Determination
Improving Quality, Decreasing Costs
Digital transformation initiatives that aim at getting manufacturers to Industry 4.0 have been around a while and will assuredly continue to be with us for quite a while longer. But what can often get lost by manufacturers in the push to digital transformation are the reasons why one would want to undertake this journey in the first place, which in turn should all boil down to … [Read more...] about Improving Quality, Decreasing Costs
Quality Metrics Reporting that Leads to the Best Behaviors
Quality metrics reporting includes reporting organizational costs, on-time delivery, non-conformance rates, lead times, cycle times, and profit. Organizations benefit when quality metric reporting occurs at the executive, operational, and supplier levels so that the best organizational actions or non-actions happen; however, this often does not occur. Commonplace … [Read more...] about Quality Metrics Reporting that Leads to the Best Behaviors
Face of Quality: KPI Fundamentals
Peter Drucker, the famed author, educator, and management consultant, said “Efficiency is doing things right, effectiveness is doing the right things.” Whether individually or organizationally, the key to short and long-term success is to focus on the most important issues. The problem confronting many organizations is determining where to focus their efforts and how to … [Read more...] about Face of Quality: KPI Fundamentals
How to Measure Success with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)?
Key performance indicators or KPIs are the important metrics for any organization to measure its success. They are used to evaluate the effectiveness of a company's strategy and operations. These indicators provide a clear picture of how well the company performs against its goals. A key performance indicator dashboard helps managers and employees understand the current … [Read more...] about How to Measure Success with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)?
Metal Fabricator’s Future Shines Brightly With Updated Quality Management System
Founded in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, in 1876, Hendrick Manufacturing provides custom metal solutions to a wide range of industries. As a family-owned and operated business, Hendrick has come a long way from its origin as the first commercial manufacturer of perforated metal screens. During the past 140 years, its perforated metals market has expanded to a myriad of … [Read more...] about Metal Fabricator’s Future Shines Brightly With Updated Quality Management System
Quality Management Definitions: A Useful Resource
For ease of reference, we offer a round-up of quality management definitions – including commonly used terms in both project management and quality management circles. Below we’ve included: general quality definitionsdefinitions of some key ISO 9001 termsdefinitions of a range of quality management tools and techniques. General quality management … [Read more...] about Quality Management Definitions: A Useful Resource
ISO Standard on Sharing Economy
The sharing economy creates a more sustainable world. In November 2021, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published ISO 42500:2021, an international standard on Sharing economy – General principles. This standard is intended to be used by all types and size of the organizations including commercial enterprises, government agencies, not-for-profit … [Read more...] about ISO Standard on Sharing Economy
2022 Manufacturing Outlook and Opportunities
2022 is shaping up to be a year of opportunity for manufacturers in spite of ongoing concerns regarding business resiliency, supply chain instability, manpower shortages and economic uncertainty exacerbated by the Omicron variant. Manufacturers experiencing strong and consistent growth have one thing in common – they were early adopters of digital technologies, embracing … [Read more...] about 2022 Manufacturing Outlook and Opportunities
Lessons from the Winter Olympics that can be applied to operational excellence
The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, which are taking place right now, offer a perfect opportunity to look at the basic principles for the success of top athletes and apply them to operational excellence initiatives in your company. Professional athletes practice repeatedly, over many years, to improve their performance and ultimately prevail over their competitors. Operational … [Read more...] about Lessons from the Winter Olympics that can be applied to operational excellence
REASONS WHY MANUFACTURERS NEED TO INVEST IN QMS
Quality is a strategy that must be pervasive throughout every department and every level of the organization. In business, engineering, and manufacturing, quality has a pragmatic interpretation as the non-inferiority or superiority of something that aims at satisfying customer expectations. What is Quality for Manufacturing?manufacturing quality is conformance to … [Read more...] about REASONS WHY MANUFACTURERS NEED TO INVEST IN QMS
Business Continuity Planning Suite
If you need more help getting a business or organization prepared, please use the new Business Continuity Planning Suite (ZIP Archive - 13 Mb: PC Compatible) developed by DHS’ National Protection and Programs Directorate and FEMA. This software was created for any business with the need to create, improve, or update its business continuity plan. The Suite is … [Read more...] about Business Continuity Planning Suite
Quality Conversations: Organizational Excellence Specialists
What are excellence models, and how can organizations use them to drive quality and boost performance? Dawn Ringrose, Principal of Organizational Excellence Specialists, is an expert on excellence models—and a big believer in their benefits. Since 1984, Dawn has been helping organizations across the public, private, and non-profit sectors fine-tune their culture and operations … [Read more...] about Quality Conversations: Organizational Excellence Specialists
Supplier Selection Process
Suppliers are an integral part of any business, especially manufacturing. Supplier selection is the process of finding the right supplier for your business. It encompasses all the steps taken to find, select, and work with a supplier. Supplier selection is an essential part of making your product successful. The key to selecting the best suppliers is understanding what … [Read more...] about Supplier Selection Process
7 Ways Augmented Reality Can Upgrade Manufacturing Processes
Business leaders can deploy AR in manufacturing to streamline routine operations and create a safer workplace. Several industries, including construction, pharmaceutical, tourism, and others have started utilizing augmented reality (AR) to enhance their business. The COVID-19 pandemic has helped in showing the true potential of AR in these industries. According to the … [Read more...] about 7 Ways Augmented Reality Can Upgrade Manufacturing Processes
What is a Business Process Improvement Methodology?
Business process improvement is a management practice that helps leaders leverage several tools and techniques to analyze their processes and uncover areas where improvement in accuracy, quality, and efficiency can be achieved. The leaders then work with process operators to redesign those processes to improve productivity and gain the expected improvements. Business process … [Read more...] about What is a Business Process Improvement Methodology?
Finding root causes, Part 1: 5-Whys
Last week I talked about what a "real root cause" actually is, but I didn't say much about how to find them. Maybe a couple more words would be helpful. There are several tools you can use to dig out a root cause from under a big pile of symptoms. The simplest one is called a "Five-why analysis," and you can think of it as "problem-solving by a bright, persistent … [Read more...] about Finding root causes, Part 1: 5-Whys
Three Steps to Reduce Complexity in Product Configurations
As customer demands for more customization and choice increase, the complexity of products and associated product design, manufacturing, and sales processes also increase. Product life cycles are also getting shorter, requiring a constant flow of new products with high-value features and capabilities. This challenges product design and engineering processes to become leaner, … [Read more...] about Three Steps to Reduce Complexity in Product Configurations
A Guide to Quality Risk Management
The main aim of any risk management plan is to make an adverse event less likely to be fatal to your business and reduce the damage done by similar threats when they happen again. All organizations should use risk identification, assessment and management to capitalize on their strengths and evaluate weaknesses. Similarly, quality management is a process that ensures your … [Read more...] about A Guide to Quality Risk Management
How to Use Google Forms to Create an Interactive Workflow
Google Forms is the office workflow interface you didn't know you needed. Google Forms isn't just another simple survey tool. In its simplest form, it can be used as a free data collection tool. With a little know-how, you can unleash the combined power within Google Forms, Google Sheets, and Add-ons to create some powerful workflows to help you get more done in the … [Read more...] about How to Use Google Forms to Create an Interactive Workflow