Implementing a quality management system requires a step-by-step approach. Every company is unique, which means the implementation of a quality management system should best be done by means of a tailormade process. This blog discusses the outlines of the road towards a quality management system.

1. What has to happen?

Every quality standard contains a list of mandatory and optional requirements. In a first phase it is important to map with which mandatory requirements you as a company already comply and which still have to be put in order. You focus on those first. Then you can also have a look at the optional items.

Based on this first gap analysis, you will get a good image of the road still to travel prior to implementing the desired quality management system.

2. Who is responsible?

In a second step it is important to determine for each part of the future quality management system who is substantively responsible. It is extremely important not to impose the substantive responsibility on the quality department.

The quality department facilitates, supports and inspires and the other departments have to implement the changes. Each process owner bears the full responsibility for whether or not the assigned items are compliant. This is the only way to obtain a mature quality management system that is supported by the entire organisation.

3. What is the timing?

It is important to monitor the progress using an overview tool. In order to do so, it is obviously necessary to agree upon a deadline for each improvement measure.

4. Strive for continuous improvement

The implementation of a quality management system is not an endpoint. It means the start of a continuous improvement process according to the Plan, Do, Check, Act-cycle. That is the reason why it has to be determined upon commencement how the progress of the processes will be measured and in which way further optimisation takes place. This means there is a need for agreements regarding root cause analysis and data analysis using KPIs.

Continuous improvement within a company is only feasible if a fundamental change takes place in the field of culture and mentality. That is the reason why the final responsibility for quality assurance, as stated above, has to be borne by the several departments.

Would you like to know more about the implementation of a quality management system? Feel free to contact us with all your questions.