How to Effectively Implement the 7 Principles of Quality Management Systems (QMS)
ISO 9001 is an international Standard for quality management developed by experts from around the world to help you prioritize quality within your organization. Doing this requires building ISO 9001 upon seven key principles which when effectively implemented will enable you reap the rewards of improved product consistency, better customer satisfaction and more efficient performance.
The principles are the basis of the ISO 9000 suite of quality standards, including ISO 9001 and are as follows:
- Engagement of people
- Customer focus
- Leadership
- Process approach
- Improvement
- Evidence-based decision making
- Relationship management
Engagement of People
ISO Management systems such as ISO 9001 are meant for everyone within the organization that in one way or the other contributes affect processes within the organization, not just for senior management. Since this is the case, to fully benefit from your management systems, it is very important to regularly and openly discuss issues and sharing knowledge and experience with all necessary persons affecting your processes. Everyone needs to understand their role in management systems implementation.
They need to feel valued for their contribution to a successful implementation. This will demonstrate your organization’s commitment to improving quality.
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Customer focused
This principle requires organizations to focus on the actual need of their customers. No organization can exist without customers, hence the needs of the customers has to be prioritized. A strong customer focus is an excellent way that an organization can demonstrate their commitment to quality. One way to do is to gather customer feedback (positive or negative). This can help spot areas in the business that may require improvement; this may in turn help facilitate improved business performance even further.
Aside from satisfying your customers, you should also consider the interests of other stakeholders of the organization including the owners, employees, suppliers, investors or the wider community. Their perspective can also help improve your processes for better customer satisfaction.
Leadership
This principle focuses on developing strong leadership. This involves having a clear vision of the future of your organization. Effectively communicating this vision will help ensure that your team are working towards same objectives of the organization, hence giving your organization a shared sense of purpose, thereby improving the morale of the employees.
Process Approach
Process-driven culture is based on the Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) principle of the ISO 9001. It is an effective way of ensuring that you effectively plan resource requirements and manage your processes and their interactions. No doubt many processes are somewhat connected, made up of the input and resulting output. Collectively managing these areas as a whole will help align operations for greater efficiency, making it easier to achieve the objectives and identify areas for improvement.
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Continuous Improvement
Continual improvement is a key to the implementation of ISO 9001 quality management system standard. This should be captured in the organization’s core objective in order to make the business stronger. Continuous improvement involves implementing processes for identifying risks and opportunities, spotting and solving non-conformities, measuring and monitoring on a consistent basis to enhance better performance.
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Evidence-based decision making
The quality of decision made is a function of the accuracy and reliability of the data. This cuts across finding the root cause of non-conformity. Ensure information is available to those who need it and keep communication channels open.
Relationship management
The suppliers can be a source of competitive advantage but this requires a relationship built on solid trust. Creating such lasting relationships with suppliers and other interested parties would mean balancing short-term financial gains with long-term, mutually beneficial strategies.
Mastering Quality Management
In the realm of effective Quality Management Systems (QMS), understanding and implementing the 7 key principles is paramount for sustained success. Quality management training courses serve as invaluable resources to guide professionals in this journey.
About the Author
Adebayo is a thought leader in continuous process improvement and manufacturing excellence. He is a Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt (CSSMBB), Digital Manufacturing Professional and ISO Management Systems Lead Auditor (ISO 9001, 45001 & ISO 22000) with strong experience leading various continuous improvement initiative in top manufacturing organizations.
You can reach him here.
