ISO 9001 Clause 7.1.5 requires maintaining organizational knowledge. One form of this maintenance can include effective knowledge management (EKM), which seeks to highlight what knowledge is so organizations can solve problems better. EKM includes access to relevant facts and expertise; a common language used to describe facts, concepts, issues, and concerns; the ability to … [Read more...] about Boosting business performance through knowledge management
Quality-Quality Management
An empirical study into the reasons for failure of sustaining operational excellence initiatives in organizations
A survey of 106 experts involved in implementing operational excellence (OPEX) initiatives such as Lean, Six Sigma, and Agile found that 15% of companies studied did not adopt any type of OPEX. For those that did adopt OPEX methods, roughly 75% chose Six Sigma, fewer than 50% adopted Lean initiatives, and fewer than 5% used Kaizen. This study, published in The TQM Journal, is … [Read more...] about An empirical study into the reasons for failure of sustaining operational excellence initiatives in organizations
The Purpose and Importance of Audit Trails
It is a general principle that well-managed audit trails are key indicators of good internal business controls. Over the last few decades, audit trails have transitioned from manual to automated electronic logs that make this historical information more accurate, readily accessible, and usable. This article will define an audit trail, what should be included, the importance … [Read more...] about The Purpose and Importance of Audit Trails
How To Manage Multiple And Diverse Customer Needs?
As a business owner, you will likely face the challenge of resolving conflicting customer requirements. Managing a diverse customer base and their unique needs can be challenging simultaneously. Types of DiversityThere are many types of diversity. Some examples include: • Diversity in gender, race, age, religion, sexual orientation, etc. • Diversity between products … [Read more...] about How To Manage Multiple And Diverse Customer Needs?
The Factors That Make for a Successful Transformation
The goal of many Lean Six Sigma projects revolves around making a successful change in how a business operates that will result in reduced costs or revenue growth. But many companies continue to fall short when it comes to making a successful transformation. That persistent lack of success is part of the latest McKinsey Global Survey that focuses on core issues … [Read more...] about The Factors That Make for a Successful Transformation
The competitive advantage of lean process creation
As the new manager at the site, I was trying to be respectful about what I was seeing. I had learned long before that there was always a reason why things were the way they were. Perhaps not a great reason, but a reason that made sense at the time. Then I walked into the environmentally controlled pump production room. It had been recently installed and was touted as the … [Read more...] about The competitive advantage of lean process creation
Quality Plan – What is it, Purpose and Contents
The purpose of a quality plan is to help an organization manage its quality program effectively and efficiently. It also helps the organization maintain consistency throughout its operations. The document should be developed so that it can be easily understood and implemented by all those involved with the product or service being planned. This article will provide you with … [Read more...] about Quality Plan – What is it, Purpose and Contents
What is ISO 19011: 2018 -Auditing Management Systems
ISO 19011 is defined as the standard that sets forth guidelines for auditing management systems. The standard contains guidance on managing an audit program, the principles of auditing, and the evaluation of individuals responsible for managing the audit programs. An audit program consists of the arrangements made to complete all of the individual audits needed to … [Read more...] about What is ISO 19011: 2018 -Auditing Management Systems
Garvin’s 8 Dimensions of Quality
In 1987 David Garvin suggested that there are eight dimensions to quality. These eight dimensions are performance, features, reliability, conformance, durability, serviceability, aesthetics, and perceived quality. They are the things that make it stand out from its competitors and give it value. These are the things that differentiate your business from others … [Read more...] about Garvin’s 8 Dimensions of Quality