There are a number of basic steps that businesses should take to implement a QMS.
Design and build
A quality management system (QMS) is a formalized system for managing the quality of a product or service. The design and build portions of creating a QMS serve to develop the structure of the QMS, its processes, and plans for implementation. Senior management should oversee these portions to ensure that the QMS meets the organization’s needs and is effective in producing high-quality products or services.
Deploy
Deployment of a quality management system (QMS) can be a daunting task. It is best served in a granular fashion by breaking each process down into subprocesses and educating staff on documentation, education. Deployment should also include a plan for continual improvement of the QMS. Quality assurance should be included throughout the process to ensure that the QMS is meeting its objectives.
Control and Measure
The effectiveness of a quality management system (QMS) depends largely on the ability to control and measure critical processes and products. Control means establishing procedures and measures that ensure outputs meet requirements. Measurement involves determining the results of these controls and taking corrective action as needed. Both control and measurement are accomplished through routine, systematic audits of the QMS.
Audits verify that the controls are in place and effective and that measurements are accurate. They also identify any areas where improvements may be needed. Auditors must have a thorough understanding of the QMS, as well as the procedures they are auditing. They must also be able to evaluate results objectively, identify trends, and recommend corrective action.
Effective control and measurement are essential to maintaining a high level of quality in products and processes.
Review and improve
Auditing is the process of assessing the quality of a system or process. The results of an audit can be used to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of a system. One goal of quality management is to ensure that the results of audits are properly handled. This includes ensuring that the results are analyzed and that corrective action is taken when necessary.