In this article, Ian Lazarus discusses the challenges of balancing customer satisfaction, stakeholder interests, and budget constraints in process improvement and design. Lazarus starts by addressing the dilemma of creating enduring quality in products and processes, particularly when faced with the desire for rich and flexible design. He points out that simply saying “no” to … [Read more...] about A Process for All Reasons: Satisfying Customers, Stakeholders, and Budgets
management systems
Deciding Which Events to Escalate Into a CAPA System
The article discusses the importance of a Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) system within a quality management system (QMS), particularly for organizations needing to comply with FDA regulations and ISO standards. A CAPA process is crucial for analyzing customer complaints and non-conformances to identify and implement corrective and preventive actions. Corrective action … [Read more...] about Deciding Which Events to Escalate Into a CAPA System
A Benefit Costing Process for Lean Six Sigma Programs
This academic study published in "The TQM Journal," addresses the gap between financial measurement and Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodologies in process improvement initiatives. The study aims to enhance employee engagement by designing a process and a benefit measuring methodology that aligns with financial metrics and LSS principles, particularly in eliminating waste.The … [Read more...] about A Benefit Costing Process for Lean Six Sigma Programs
ASQ Releases 2023 Insights On Excellence Category Report
(Must enter contact information to receive full PDF report)The 2023 "ASQE Insights On Excellence Category Report" analyzes the trends and shifts in quality management practices across various industries. The quality report, based on data collected via a survey in 2022, builds upon foundational data established since 2020 and introduces a new category focused on Environmental, … [Read more...] about ASQ Releases 2023 Insights On Excellence Category Report
What Quality Management Trends to Watch For in 2024
The evolving landscape of quality management emphasizes the integration of new technologies and methodologies to enhance efficiency, reduce risks, and promote operational excellence. The article points out several critical trends expected to impact the quality management field significantly by 2024, such as machine learning.One major trend is augmented analytics, which … [Read more...] about What Quality Management Trends to Watch For in 2024
“Does ISO 9001 really require THAT?”
A common issue faced by professionals working with the ISO 9001 standard involves dealing with individuals who misinterpret the standard's requirements in extreme ways. The article describes scenarios where people, sometimes even auditors, assert that ISO 9001 requires absurd or overly specific practices, such as documenting paper clip usage or placing clear labels on items. … [Read more...] about “Does ISO 9001 really require THAT?”
What if ISO had to explain its changes?
What if ISO had to explain changes to its standards? Should ISO require official documentation explaining the specific value of certain changes to users? This blog post from a quality management expert answers this and similar questions. The author posits whether ISO should require public reasons to the full clauses of its standards and whether ISO should go further in … [Read more...] about What if ISO had to explain its changes?
Quality vs. Inflation and the Deficit
Quality professionals may have more tools to address inflation than previously believed, specifically by removing waste within their organizations. For manufacturers, eliminating waste from supply chains can lower prices, raise wages, and boost profits since waste contributes to inflation. Waste begets poorer quality as organizations spend more on unproductive labor, energy, … [Read more...] about Quality vs. Inflation and the Deficit
What is an Internal Auditor?
Planning on finding an internal auditor? Listen to the following advice. An internal auditor who deals in quality management assesses your organization’s business activity to make sure you consistently meet compliance and your best performance. The internal auditor evaluates procedures surrounding quality and risk management, as well as internal control, when performing their … [Read more...] about What is an Internal Auditor?
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 and services• … [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
Problem-solving: Anatomy of an 8D
Over the last three weeks, I've talked about ways to improve your root cause analyses. But a root cause analysis is just one step — albeit the most important step — in the whole process of problem-solving. Now that we've discussed it in some detail, let's back up to look at the whole cycle from beginning to end.There are several different tools or methods to formalize solving a … [Read more...] about Problem-solving: Anatomy of an 8D
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
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 specifications. … [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 scalable … [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
ISO 31000:2018-Risk Management: A Practical Guide
Every organization faces risks that could impact its objectives. Organizations that have identified risks and committed to the effective management of those risks will be better prepared to deal with them. This handbook, published jointly by ISO and UNIDO, provides valuable insights into the implementation of ISO 31000 Risk management – Guidelines.Read the full article … [Read more...] about ISO 31000:2018-Risk Management: A Practical Guide
What is a management system? A brief explanation and introduction
Management systems distinguish professional companies from those in which things happen randomly and on-demand.Different motives underlie the introduction of management systems:Business causes: Companies want to improve their performance and efficiency.Competitive causes: Companies want to be certified to a management system (e.g., ISO 9001:2015).Regulatory … [Read more...] about What is a management system? A brief explanation and introduction