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Working towards a single goal, that of a quality product must be the aim of everyone
within the organization. So what is quality ?
Notice how the term product or service has now disappeared from the definition.
However, in business terms it is first and foremost the product or service which has to
conform to requirements. These may come directly from a customer order or may be
implicit in the product itself such as safety requirements.
2 INSPECTION
From the foregoing it will be seen that the quality of a product or service is determined
by:
a) The customer, defining their requirements completely and accurately, and
b) The organization, ensuring that what is delivered will satisfy all the customer's,
and other interested parties requirements.
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Most organizations aim to deliver their products and services at the right level of
quality. All too often, however, they attempt to do this merely by inspecting what they
do at selected times and on completion, throwing out unsatisfactory materials and
work.
Furthermore, having taken delivery of the product or service customers often found
that what they received did not fully satisfy their needs.
Unfortunately the use of inspectors tends to release responsibility from operators for
the achievement of good work. The implication is that "If I make a mistake it won't
matter - that's what the inspectors are for.
3 QUALITY CONTROL
This is aimed at controlling the way we work and may be regarded as the "hands-on"
aspects of managing quality. It is the term given to the activities, by which we fulfil the
requirements for quality in order to ensure that our product or service conforms to
specified requirements.
Due mostly to the efforts of two prominent experts in the field of statistics Dr. Deming
and Joe Juran who moved to Japan and helped rebuild Japanese industry after the
second world war, we have a range of very important methods of controlling
processes entitled SPC or Statistical Process Control.
4 QUALITY ASSURANCE
In the 1960's the problems of high costs incurred in the inspection and rejection
systems and the often, unsatisfactory performance of the finished products, began to
be viewed from a fresh angle.
The fresh approach was to ensure, before production commenced, that the product or
service would satisfy the customers' needs when delivered and furthermore it would
be produced in such a way that there would be no rejections upon inspection or test.
To put it another way, companies would assure the quality before the work
commenced. The concept came to be called "Quality Assurance", and it was a
different concept to any which had gone before.
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Quality Assurance: "Part of quality management focused on providing
confidence that quality requirements will be fulfilled.
(ISO 9000: 2000 Quality Management Systems Fundamentals and Vocabulary)
Over the years techniques have emerged which facilitate the achievement of prior
assurance of quality. Collectively, these techniques add up to what is called a "Quality
Management System".
It is the responsibility of the organization to build into the quality management system
all the requirements, which are appropriate to their stated quality policy and objectives.
5 QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Since the early 80's the concept of managing quality in the company has been the
driving force. New techniques for management, some of which have originated in the
Far East from the well-known 'Quality Gurus' have had a fundamental effect on the
way we consider 'quality'.
Quality Management:
Coordinated activities to direct and control an organization with regard to
quality.
(ISO 9000: 2000 Quality Management Systems Fundamentals and Vocabulary)
Managing quality relies on effective quality control and quality assurance but takes the
philosophy of meeting customers needs to the next phase. Meeting the needs of all
interested parties is a fundamental requirement for business success.
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For this to be achievable organizations must be flexible in order to change with the
changing needs of their customers and must have consistent, systematic and
transparent management styles.
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It is expected that the application of these management principles may provide not
only direct benefits to the organization, but may also contribute to managing costs and
risks.
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C o n t in u a l I m p r o v e m e n t o f t h e Q u a lity
M a n a g e m e n t S y s te m
M anagem ent
R e s p o n s ib ility
C u s to m e r
C u s to m e r
M e a s u re m e n t,
R e s o u rc e
a n a ly s is a n d S a t is f a c t io n
m anagem ent
im p r o v e m e n t
IN P U T P ro d u c t O U TPU T
R e q u ir e m e n ts P ro d u c t
r e a liz a t io n
V a lu e a d d in g a c tiv it ie s
Key
In f o r m a tio n f lo w
Figure 1 does not intend to illustrate the processes of the quality management
systems in a detailed manner. Instead it presents a generic model demonstrating the
interaction between the processes.
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There is a further loop which illustrates the significance of the role of customers. This
role is not limited to providing the input requirements. Customers feedback is essential
for identifying the need and potential for further improvement. The process for
measurement of customer satisfaction (clause 8.2.1) therefore completes the
horizontal loop.
Both loops are clearly based on the familiar principle of the Deming cycle and both
loops generate the feedback for the continual improvement process.
In noting these changes and the context within which the standard is set, we can
make the following comments as to the key differences and changes of the draft.
These will be discussed in the examination of the standard in Section 3 of this
handbook.
9 GENERAL APPROACH
The content and approach of these standards is intended to promote a wider
approach to integrated systems incorporating Environmental and Health & Safety
requirements. The compatibility of ISO 9001: 2000 with ISO 14001 will enable
combined auditing to take place more effectively.
Throughout these standards there is improved terminology with a wider appeal, which
in turn provides for a simpler range of definitions (ISO 9000: 2000). Key terminology
within the standard has been changed to reflect wider commercial acceptance:
7 .2 C U S T O M E R -R E L A T E D
7 .4 P U R C H A S IN G
PRO C ESSES
S U P P L IE R O R G A N IZ A T IO N C U STO M ER
G O O D S A N D /O R
PR O D U C T
S E R V IC E S
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the only document that can be used for certification as it contains all the
requirements of the quality management system approach. In general the new
standard is less prescriptive than the 1994 edition. It allows for more flexibility in
structuring a quality management system (QMS) to suit an individual organization. In
particular it allows a wide flexibility in how an organization can demonstrate
conformance. However, this does not make the auditors job any easier!
Throughout the standard there are far fewer defined requirements for system
procedures than in the 1994 version. The structure of the QMS is emphasized as
being the organization's decision but for some organizations new to Quality
Management systems this open approach is likely to make decisions relating to,
procedure writing more difficult.
There are new requirements introduced for measurement and analysis. In particular
mention is now made for measurement of process performance and customer
satisfaction, which are new requirements.
Some examples of the important definitions have already been given, other important
changes, or new definitions include:
Customer Satisfaction:
Customers perception of the degree to which the customers requirements
have been fulfilled.
Requirement:
Need or expectation that is stated, generally implied or obligatory.
Quality Objective:
Something sought or aimed for, related to quality.
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Continual Improvement:
Recurring activity to increase the ability to fulfil requirements.
13 PROCESS MANAGEMENT
Process management is not a new concept. The 1994 revision of ISO 9001 provided
a preventive approach, which relied on applying considerable effort at the start of a
process to reduce the risk of a defective product or sub-standard service resulting
from the process. In fact over half of the 20 clauses of ISO 9001 were aimed at defect
prevention.
The ability of an organization to prevent problems associated with process activity was
often centred round the 4-Ms:
MANPOWER
With defined responsibilities and authority
Qualified to carry out the activity through education, training and/or experience
MATERIALS
Purchased from reputable and reliable suppliers/sub-contractors
Stored and handled in a manner to protect and prevent loss or damage
MACHINES
Approved equipment, suitably maintained
Test and measuring equipment suitably stored, handled and calibrated
METHODS
Approved procedures and instructions
Controlled documents such as drawings, specifications etc.
With the introduction of the latest ISO 9000 series, the process approach has
developed considerably, requiring organizations to adopt a process orientated
management style. This does not mean that every activity should be seen as a
process in isolation but that all the organizations activities should be seen and
controlled as a set of interrelated and interactive processes.
This has immediate implications for auditors who now need to verify that not only
individual processes, but that chains of processes are under adequate control. For any
individual process the key elements are:
INPUTS
Inputs may be materials, information and are usually the result of one or more
previous processes, which may have taken place outside the organization
RESOURCES
Including the equipment required and the human resource, who are now required to
be competent to carry out the activity
CONTROLS
From the previous methods we have the procedures and instructions plus any
regulatory or legislative requirements imposed on the process.
OUTPUT
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The results of a process can be many and varied. Quality Assurance requires us to
ensure that the product meets all applicable requirements.
Figure 2 below shows a representation of an individual process. Note that we are also
required by ISO 9001 to identify methods of monitoring and measuring both our
processes and our products.
RESOURCES CONTROLS
COMMUNICATIONS
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P ro c e s s P ro c e s s
A B
P ro c e s s P ro c e s s
C D
In p u t, O u tp u t, C o n tro l a n d R e s o u rc e s
The revised ISO 9000 family of standards strongly encourages the adoption of the
process approach to the management of an organization as a means of identifying
and using opportunities for improvement.
14 SYSTEM DESIGN
A successful organization should result from implementing and maintaining a
management system that is designed to continually improve the effectiveness and
efficiency of the organizations performance in considering and meeting the needs of
interested parties.
The documentation should be appropriate to the nature of the organization and its
business and can be established in any form suitable for its needs.
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15 PROCESS OWNERSHIP
The systems approach to management, one of the 8 management principles,
requires organizations to identify, understand and managing a system of interrelated
processes for achieving objectives. Within all but the smallest business this will
require the active cooperation of a number of persons within the organization.
It is vitally important therefore to ensure that all processes affecting the quality of the
organizations products are documented and their interactions and interfaces
controlled to ensure the free-flow of product and information from process to process.
Many organizations in the past have developed and documented their quality systems
through a central coordination function such as a quality manager. Although,
perhaps, efficient in the establishment of documentation, this centralised approach
does not sufficiently involve those who carry out or manage key departments or
activities within the organization. Without their involvement, promoting effective
implementation of the system there can be no buy-in or ownership of the management
system as a whole.
Process owners must be identified in order that local objectives can be established for
the processes and for individuals carrying out the processes. Suggestions for
improvement and change can only be effectively reviewed and implemented at the
Process Owner level.
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establishing a vision, policies and strategic objectives consistent with the
purpose of the organization,
leading the organization by example, in order to develop trust within its people
communicating organizational direction and values regarding quality and the
quality management system
participating in improvement projects, searching for new methods, solutions
and products
obtaining feedback directly on the effectiveness and efficiency of the quality
management system
identifying the product realization processes that provide added value to the
organization
identifying the support processes that influence the effectiveness and efficiency
of the realization processes
creating an environment that encourages the involvement and development of
people, and
provision of the structure and resources that are necessary to support the
organizations strategic plans
(Extract from ISO 9004: 2000)
18 SUPPLIER INVOLVEMENT
In previous revisions of ISO 9001 an organizations link to its suppliers and sub-
contractors has been solely through the Purchasing function. With the introduction of
the process approach a new and important requirement has arisen. The new
requirement from the General Requirements section 4.1 of the ISO 9001 standard
states:
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Although similar to the requirement states in 4.6.2 of the 1994 version of ISO 9001,
the new requirement is far more explicit in requiring control and records to be
established. This is a particularly new and important area of control that will be
included in any full system audit.
Similarly the control of records is the same for both standards. The consideration of record
retention is particularly important for environmental aspects as many records are established to
demonstrate compliance with legislation and industry requirements.
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An EMS will almost invariably cover a wider scope of company activities and in
more depth.
Environmental issues are constantly changing what is acceptable today, may
not be acceptable tomorrow.
Unlike ISO 9001, which defines specific areas of the company requiring
controls, the company can exercise considerable discretion over the structure
and scope of its EMS and the definition of its objectives.
All environmental standards refer to individuals and groups of individuals who may be
affected directly or indirectly by an organisations activities as interested parties.
These persons have diverse links with the organisation and include:
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b) also those indirectly linked in commercial terms;
banks
insurers
financiers
d) those with no direct link who may be affected by the companys activities, products
or services;
general public
immediate neighbours
the world population in general
Whilst it is not a specific requirement for organisations following the ISO 14001
standard to publicly release information concerning their environmental performance,
but merely ensure the effective handling of enquiries, companies intending to follow
the EMAS requirements are expected to prepare an environmental statement (Article
3(f)) for public release. Within this statement there must be an indication of not only
performance against targets but of evidence of improvement in defined areas.
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