Quality management basically consists of written guidelines and procedures that apply to all the processes and is essentially the foundation of the process. It enumerates the key processes and methods for preventing failures and achieving good results. It very essential for businesses to have a structured QMS (Quality Management system to manage the projects and processes, protecting their brand and customer’s interest.
There are many benefits to implementing a QMS as a part of your Lean Sigma mission. Some of the benefits include achieving organization goals, better customer satisfaction, reduce errors and thereby produce consistent products etc. It also facilitates better communication, improved documentation and makes it easier to measure the performance of individuals as well as the team.
So what does QMS include? It includes the documentation of policy and quality objectives. It also sets guidelines for effective planning, operation, monitor, and control.
Successful implementation of QMS using Lean Sigma strategies involves the following steps:
1. Mapping out the process:
The map of your process allows you to define and visualize your goal. The interaction of various internal processes is also defined in the map. The flow of action from one stage to another is clearly stated in this step.
2. Define Your Quality Policy:
Delivering quality products is your main goal as a company to your clients. Therefore you need to be clear on your quality policy. This will lead to continuous improvement towards and the end goal of customer satisfaction.
3. Define Your Quality Objectives:
Each employee must be aware of your quality policy and must follow it in order to meet the requirements set for his part of the process. He must be able to appreciate his influence on the quality of the product as a whole. The objective gives you a measure to gauge the performance of the company with respect to the quality factor.
4. Track and monitor Critical Success factors:
There are some critical success factors such as Product Quality, Process Improvement, Customer Satisfaction which play an important role in the overall success of a company. Such factors are identified. This data is then is then tracked and monitored. The analysis is presented to the leader who will the re-evaluate the goals and targets to achieve the best possible results.
5. Define Defects for Every Process:
Defects are any product that has a flaw or deficiency. In order to identify the flaw and correct it, we need to define what is categorized as a defect first. This process may include defining a process to record defects and identifying the various defects in products as well as processes.
6. Develop Documents and Records:
You need to define documentation formats and processes. Start from scratch and work your way up as you discover a new process that works for your business.
7. Define Quality Process:
You need to continuously evaluate the quality of your products. This includes corrective and preventive measures, improving communication, and internal audits.
8. Continuous monitoring and improvement of performance:
Use QMS effectively to collect data, analyze this data and identify areas which need to be improved. Implement activities to improve these areas and achieving new performance targets. Conduct regular appraisals that can encourage better performance in the identified areas.