WHAT ARE THE TOP PRINCIPLES OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Quality management is essential when it comes to the quality of the products and services presented by a company. Quality management oversees the activities and tasks necessary for maintaining a desired level of excellence. This also includes the identification of a quality policy, creating and implementing quality assurance and planning, quality improvement, and quality control. Managing and monitoring performance to ensure compliance with predetermined quality standards and goals is at the core of quality management.
Quality management principles are the fundamental truths that form the basis of quality management. There are several principles used for quality management ,which play a significant role in its success. These principles include:
Customer focus
The first principle makes the point that a business wouldn’t exist without its customers. Thus, companies should aim to understand their current and future customers to meet their requirements and expectations better.
Leadership
This principle applauds the value of strong leadership. Leaders have a responsibility to create a productive and progressive business atmosphere. They also are relied upon to ensure that future hires maintain that business environment.
People involvement
A business would not be viable without a balanced, multi-skilled team either. Staff at every level of the company are vital to its success, and this principle recognizes that.
Process approach
An approach which is process-driven can help businesses avoid logistical problems that can stem from confusion over the correct way of going about things. Having set processes ensures the future as the key elements of each job is well-defined.
A systematic approach to management
This principle argues that identifying, understanding, and managing processes using a clearly defined system will help to streamline your organization. You can eliminate wasted time and increase efficiency by ensuring that team members are paying the right amount of attention to critical tasks.
Continual improvement
If you’re not going forward, you could be going backward. Businesses should continually be pushing for improvements. Continual progress is a perpetual goal of any successful business. Commitment to improvement can also allow your business to be a market leader, as you’ll be the ones setting the bar high.
Factual Approach to Decision Making
This principle expresses that effective decisions are made based on a thoughtful analysis of data. Before making decisions, whether they are big or small, make sure that you have all the facts. This principle also is dependent upon having access to accurate and reliable and accurate data.
Mutually Beneficial Supplier Relations
You likely rely on some sort of supplier. This principle establishes that relationships between your business and your suppliers must remain mutually beneficial to add value to both parties. Flexible and quick responses to customer demands are more likely if things are harmonious between you and your supplier. It also makes it easier to negotiate on costs.
The International Standard for Quality Management (ISO 9001:2008) adopts many management principles that are used by managers to guide their organizations towards better performance. These eight principles above form the fundamentals of the quality management system standard ISO 9001:2008.
These principles are used by many companies for improvement. If you need assistance with applying quality management to your company, a business advisor can help. Contact a professional advisor in your local area today.