The upcoming ISO 9001:2026 revision is a crucial update for quality management professionals, aiming to reflect significant changes in business, technology, and global challenges since the last major update in 2015. The revision process is currently in progress, with Working Group 29 reviewing feedback on the first Committee Draft (CD) and preparing for the Draft International … [Read more...] about ISO 9001:2025 Revision – What you need to know
Quality
14 Examples of Quality Metrics in Manufacturing for Product Quality Assurance
Measuring quality metrics in manufacturing is essential for identifying inefficiencies and improving product standards. These metrics are divided into process metrics (evaluating production efficiency), product metrics (assessing defect rates and customer satisfaction), maintenance metrics (ensuring equipment reliability), and supplier quality metrics (monitoring material … [Read more...] about 14 Examples of Quality Metrics in Manufacturing for Product Quality Assurance
AI in (Quality) Procurement
Artificial intelligence is transforming procurement by automating processes, analyzing large datasets, and generating actionable insights. Narrow AI, the primary form used in procurement, enables spend classification, vendor risk assessment, quality control, contract analysis, and supplier discovery. Machine learning refines data categorization, while natural language … [Read more...] about AI in (Quality) Procurement
The ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Standard: Companies’ Drivers, Benefits and Barriers to Its Implementation
A survey of 493 ISO 9001-certified Italian companies reveals that the standard is widely recognized, especially in northern Italy, where economic development is highest. The study finds that most businesses have been certified for over seven years, indicating a long-standing quality culture. Companies transitioning from ISO 9001:2008 to the 2015 version acknowledge its emphasis … [Read more...] about The ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Standard: Companies’ Drivers, Benefits and Barriers to Its Implementation
Revolutionizing procurement: Leveraging data and AI for strategic advantage
Procurement is undergoing a significant transformation, with data and AI enabling organizations to optimize sourcing strategies, predict market fluctuations, and automate supplier management. AI-driven tools help both quality and procurement teams analyze spend, forecast demand, and assess external risks like price volatility or supply chain disruptions. Digital dashboards and … [Read more...] about Revolutionizing procurement: Leveraging data and AI for strategic advantage
How to Identify Non-Conformance at Work
Non-conformance in the workplace occurs when processes or products fail to meet specified requirements, leading to inefficiencies, safety risks, or regulatory violations. It can be categorized into minor and significant non-conformances, with minor issues typically involving isolated documentation or procedural errors. In contrast, major non-conformances include critical … [Read more...] about How to Identify Non-Conformance at Work
A Management System for Data Quality
A Data Quality Management System (DQMS) offers organizations a structured approach to managing data quality, adapting ISO 9001 principles to the data domain. While ISO 27001 is widely recognized for information security, and ISO 8000 focuses on specific aspects of data quality, ISO 9001 provides a general framework that can be effectively applied to ensure high data quality … [Read more...] about A Management System for Data Quality
The Quality Manager as Risk Manager
Risk management is essential for organizational success, as it helps businesses anticipate and respond to potential threats before they cause significant disruptions. The discussion highlights that risk can be both internal, such as staffing shortages or process failures, and external, like economic downturns or cybersecurity breaches. A quality manager’s role extends beyond … [Read more...] about The Quality Manager as Risk Manager
Cost of Quality: Cost of Conformance & Cost of Nonconformance
The Cost of Quality (CoQ) represents the total investment a company makes to ensure products meet quality standards and the expenses incurred when quality failures occur. CoQ is divided into two primary categories: the cost of conformance, which includes prevention and appraisal costs, and the cost of non-conformance, which covers internal and external failure costs. Businesses … [Read more...] about Cost of Quality: Cost of Conformance & Cost of Nonconformance
Understanding How Quality Spreads in Manufacturing
In manufacturing, every operation and subassembly contributes to the quality of the final product. Understanding how these attributes are transmitted throughout production is essential for identifying quality issues and implementing improvements. Quality transmissibility helps manufacturers analyze the relationship between individual subassemblies and the overall product, … [Read more...] about Understanding How Quality Spreads in Manufacturing
How to organize a training program for ISO 9001
Organizing a successful ISO 9001 training program requires a structured approach that aligns with QMS objectives and compliance requirements. ISO 9001 emphasizes competency-based training, ensuring employees have the knowledge, skills, and experience to maintain high-quality standards. Clauses 5.3, 7.1.6, and 7.2 outline the need for defining roles, establishing competence … [Read more...] about How to organize a training program for ISO 9001
Case Studies of AI for Superhuman Quality Control in Electronics
AI transforms quality control in electronics manufacturing by improving accuracy, reducing costs, and increasing efficiency. Traditional quality control methods rely heavily on human inspectors, who typically catch about 80% of defects, whereas AI-powered inspection systems can achieve up to 99% accuracy. AI’s ability to process large datasets, adapt to new product designs, and … [Read more...] about Case Studies of AI for Superhuman Quality Control in Electronics
AI in Manufacturing: Reshaping Quality Control and Efficiency
AI is revolutionizing the manufacturing sector by improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing quality control. Predictive maintenance, one of AI’s most impactful applications, enables manufacturers to anticipate machine failures and perform maintenance before breakdowns occur, reducing unplanned downtime and improving safety. AI-powered real-time quality control further … [Read more...] about AI in Manufacturing: Reshaping Quality Control and Efficiency
The State of Quality Management in 2025 and Beyond
As manufacturers enter 2025, they face mounting challenges, including labor shortages, economic uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, and the pressing need for digital transformation. A recent survey of over 330 U.S. manufacturing leaders highlights these concerns, with 56% citing a lack of skilled labor as a top pressure driver and 45% identifying digital transformation as a … [Read more...] about The State of Quality Management in 2025 and Beyond
Quality Management Certification Exam Success From Thinking Slow Quickly
Certification exams test not only a candidate's knowledge but their ability to apply it effectively under pressure. To excel, individuals must blend rapid factual recall with careful deliberation. This requires mastering core terms, concepts, and practical applications through consistent, immersive study rather than relying on shortcuts or "guaranteed pass" promises.Preparation … [Read more...] about Quality Management Certification Exam Success From Thinking Slow Quickly
What is In-Process Inspection: Procedure, Stages, Types and Applications
In-process inspection is a proactive manufacturing strategy that involves checking product quality at various stages of production. By identifying and addressing defects early, it reduces waste, enhances product integrity, and improves efficiency. Critical inspection points include raw material verification, dimensional accuracy during production, and pre-packaging quality … [Read more...] about What is In-Process Inspection: Procedure, Stages, Types and Applications
Using Pareto Analysis to Boost Efficiency
Pareto analysis, derived from the 80/20 rule, enables project managers to focus on the 20% of tasks that deliver 80% of the value, enhancing efficiency and productivity. This approach helps teams identify and address the root causes of issues, providing a clear roadmap for prioritizing impactful tasks. By organizing issues into categories, scoring their significance, and … [Read more...] about Using Pareto Analysis to Boost Efficiency
Driving Quality Control Excellence with MOM Integration
Integrating MOM with QMS enhances quality control by providing real-time visibility into production processes, automating quality checks, and streamlining compliance reporting. Unlike Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), MOM offers a broader scope, incorporating production monitoring, maintenance, logistics, and quality management into a unified system. This integration … [Read more...] about Driving Quality Control Excellence with MOM Integration
Transforming Defect Detection and Root Cause Analysis with GenAI
Generative AI transforms quality control in manufacturing by enabling continuous defect detection and RCA. Unlike traditional vision AI, which excels in visual anomaly detection, genAI leverages advanced learning, contextual understanding, and data analysis to predict and prevent defects. By analyzing diverse data streams and adapting to changing conditions, genAI can identify … [Read more...] about Transforming Defect Detection and Root Cause Analysis with GenAI
Free Resource: All Six Sigma Tools for Quality Management
Six Sigma tools are pivotal in improving business processes, identifying inefficiencies, and ensuring quality management. These tools cater to various needs, from root cause analysis to decision-making and strategic planning. Tools like the 5 Whys and Pareto Analysis are popular due to their simplicity and effectiveness in identifying primary causes of issues. Advanced … [Read more...] about Free Resource: All Six Sigma Tools for Quality Management