Why are some manufacturing industries advancing and others are going out of business? Think about your answer for a while before you say it. Do you think it’s due to technology? Funds? Or the staff? Well, what if we tell you it’s something that encompasses more than those three: The Answer is Quality Management and this post will detail 8 principles of Quality Management.
Now that we have seen what a Quality Management System and a quality policy document is, it is important to understand the main characteristics of
let’s take a look at the principles of quality management.
1. Customer Focus
Customers are the bloodline of every firm and should, therefore, comprehend the present and future needs of the customers. Manufacturing organizations should fulfill customer requirements and work towards exceeding their expectations.
Focusing on the customer will increase flexibility and quick response to market opportunities. There will be increased customer satisfaction because of the efficient use of the firm’s resources and repeat business due to enhanced customer loyalty.
When the firm focuses on the customer, there will be more realization of customer expectations and requirements. This realization will ensure that the goals of the establishment are channeled to customer expectations and needs. Also, customer focus will lead to the systematic management of customer relationships to provide an approach that is substantial to both interested parties and customers.
2. Leadership
The leaders of the organization set the harmony of direction and purpose. Leaders should build and preserve the internal environment in which individuals can be solely involved in attaining the goals of the organization.
With the right leadership, individuals will be inspired as they understand the objectives and goals of the organization. All the activities of the organization will be implemented, aligned, evaluated in an integrated manner and lack of proper communication in all spheres will be curtailed.
When this principle of leadership is appropriately applied, it will create and sustain ethical role models, fairness, and shared value in every sphere of the organization. Additionally, it eliminates fear, establishes organizational trust as it recognizes, inspires, and encourages individual contributions.
3. Involvement of People
Individuals at all levels are the essence of an establishment, and their full participation allows their capabilities to be utilized for the benefit of the organization.
Combining individual ideas will foster creativity and innovation in favor of the goals of the organization. Individuals will be eager to contribute and participate in steadily growing the organization.
As people are being involved, they will understand their role, importance, and contribution to the organization. Individuals will evaluate the constraints of their performance against their objectives and goals. This evaluation will lead them to actively acquire opportunities to improve their experience, knowledge, and competence.
4. Process Approach
When related resources and activities are managed as a process, the desired outcome is achieved more quickly and efficiently.
Process approach will lead to shorter cycle times and lower costs as resources are being managed effectively. Outcomes of the process will be predictable, consisted and enhanced and there will be prioritized and focused improvement opportunities.
When this principle is effectively applied, there will be a systematic approach to the actions required to gain the desired result and providing clear accountability and responsibility in managing necessary activities. The process approach will also enable the evaluation of impacts, consequences, and risks associated with suppliers, customers, and other interested individuals. Additionally, the application of this principle will lead to more focus on aspects that will enhance the vital activities of the organization such as materials and resources methods.
5. System Approach to Management
Managing, understanding and identifying procedures that are interrelated as a system contributes to the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization in attaining its goals and objectives.
System approach to management will align and integrate the procedures that will best attain the desired outcome of the organization and the enablement to concentrate effort on processes that are paramount. This action will improve the confidence of interested individuals in regards to efficiency, effectiveness, and consistency of the establishment.
When this principle is applied, it will lead to structured approaches that integrate and harmonize processes to attain the objectives of the organization most efficiently and effectively. Additionally, the system approach to management will continuously improve the system through evaluation and measurement.
6. Constant Improvement
Constant enhancement of the overall performance of the organization should be an undying goal of the establishment.
Constant improvement will enhance the capabilities of the organization through performance advantage. There will be aligned improvement actions at all stages to the strategic intent of the organization which will foster flexibility to react to opportunities quickly.
Constant improvement will lead to a consistent broad organizational approach to be employed in improving the performance of the organization. Consistent growth will also lead to the establishment of measures to track, and goals to guide it. Furthermore, one of the primary goals of every organization should be to improve systems, processes, and products to achieve success consistently.
7. Factual Approach to Decision Making
Analysis of information and data are the main criteria for effective decision making. The key to informed decision making is enhanced ability to demonstrate the efficiency of recent decisions through the reference to factual records. This referencing improves the ability to change, challenge and review decisions and opinions.
Applying this principle will ensure sufficiently reliable and accurate information and data, making them available to those who need them. Also, it leads to making decisions using valid methods of factual analysis of information and data, balanced with intuition and experience.
8. Mutually Beneficial Supplier Relationships
A mutually beneficial relationship improves the ability of both the supplier and the organization to build value because they are both interdependent. This relationship increases the speed and flexibility of combined responses to customer requirements or changing market and expectations and also optimizes resources and costs.
Application of this principle creates bonds that balance long-term gains with short-term considerations which pools resources and expertise between partners. This principle also leads to recognizing and choosing key suppliers and sharing plans and information which is beneficial to both parties.
Many manufacturing industries around the world practice these Quality Management principles because it is a proven way to implement a quality conscious culture in all horizontal and vertical layers of the industry. You should be looking to speak with an expert who can help you implement these practices in your business.
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