| What does "Quality Management System"
mean? Is the term "Quality" in
ISO 9000 really appropriate?
And the answer is a definite maybe! There is nothing wrong with the
term quality as long as it is understood in the context of its
definition shown in ISO 9000: "degree to which a set of inherent
characteristics fulfils requirements." Inherent, as opposed to
assigned, means existing in something, especially as a permanent
characteristic."
Taking this definition, we can interpret the word quality to be
synonymous with good or excellent. The phrase now becomes "Good
Management System" and the intent and the focus of the requirements
becomes much clearer.
Not just the Quality department!
Unfortunately, in a majority of companies,
the task and responsibility for implementing the standard and
getting the certification was assigned to the Quality Manager. Hey,
after all it is a "Quality Standard" and they ignore the
"management" word altogether.
I say unfortunately not because the Quality Manager was incapable of
accomplishing the task, but because they are generally exceptionally
capable. They get it done with minimal or no involvement from their
top management team and the outcome is a certificate and a company
with a negative capability to recuperate its investment in becoming
certified.
ISO 9001:2000 attempts to address this common shortcoming in clause
5 titled "Management Responsibility" by using the phrase "top
management". ISO 9000 defines top management as "person or group of
people who directs and controls an organization at the highest
level." Clause 5 spells out the specific responsibilities that top
management must perform.
ISO 9001 involves much more than the Quality
department.
If you want additional information about
this topic, click on the links below.
The
Eight Goals of ISO 9001
What is ISO 9000?
What is ISO 9001?
What is ISO 9004?
What is ISO 19011?
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