1st Edition

Building Quality Management Systems Selecting the Right Methods and Tools

    202 Pages 20 B/W Illustrations
    by Productivity Press

    202 Pages
    by Productivity Press

    Quality has quickly become one of the most important decision-making factors for consumers. And although organizations invest considerable resources into building the right quality management systems (QMSs), in many instances, the adoption of such quality improvement tools are just not enough. Building Quality Management Systems: Selecting the Right Methods and Tools explains exactly what directors, practitioners, consultants, and researchers must do to make better choices in the design, implementation, and improvement of their QMSs.

    Based on the authors’ decades of industrial experience working on business improvement projects for multinationals looking to design or improve their QMSs, the book discusses building QMSs based on two important organizational elements: needs and resources. It begins with an overview of QMSs and systems thinking and the impact of QMSs on financial performance. Illustrating the process management approach, it reviews the most well-known business and quality improvement models, methods, and tools that support a major QMS.

    The authors introduce their own time-tested methodology for designing, implementing, and enhancing your own QMS. Using their proven method, you will learn how to:

    • Implement a strategic quality plan based on your specific needs, capabilities, cost–benefits, policies, and business strategies
    • Select the right models, methods, and tools to be adopted as part of your QMS
    • Understand the critical success factors and implementation challenges
    • Evaluate the level of maturity of your QMS and your implementation efforts

    Highlighting the importance of quality as a way of life, this book supplies the understanding you’ll need to make the right choices in the development and deployment of your QMS. With a clear focus on business performance and process management, it provides the basis for creating the quality management culture required to become a world-class organization.

    Introduction
    Knowledge-Based Economies, Competitiveness, and Innovation
         Quality Management Systems
         QMSs and Competitive Advantage
         Innovation and Design
    From Quality Inspection to Business Excellence
    A Systems Approach to Quality Management Systems
         Quality Management Systems and Business Strategy Alignment
    Measuring QMS Performance
    Understanding the Way to Business Excellence
         Understanding the Vision and the Future
    Summary
         Key Points to Remember
    References
    Further Suggested Reading

    Business Excellence Models
    Introduction—QMSs and Business Models
    Business Excellence Models
    Evolution of BEMs
    Comparison of QMSs
    Quality Management Standards
    Leading to an Integration of Management Standards
    Summary
         Key Points to Remember
    References
    Further Suggested Readings

    Process Management
    Introduction
    Managing by Processes
         Defining Processes
         Importance of Process Management
    Role of Information Technology (IT)
         Developing IT Competence
         IT in Process Management
    Identifying Key Processes
    Value Stream Mapping and Modeling
    Process Improvement Agenda
    Summary
         Key Points to Remember
    References
    Further Suggested Readings

    Quality Management Systems and Business Processes Diagnostic
    Introduction
    Defining the QMS Maturity Level
         Interpretation and Diagnosis
         Performing the Assessment Using the MDI
    Identifying Strengths and Opportunities for Improvement in the Organization’s Business Processes: A Self-Assessment Approach
         A Best-Practice Approach for Conducting a Self-Assessment Process
              Stage 1: Setting the Organizational Environment for the Self-Assessment Process
              Stage 3: Forming and Training the Assessment Team
              Stage 4: Collecting the Data and Information Needed for the Self-Assessment Process
              Stage 5: Assessing and Scoring
              Stage 6: Achieving Consensus
              Stage 7: Producing the Feedback Report
    Quality Management Audits
    Role and Importance of the QMS and Business Processes Diagnostic on Operational Improvement and Business Strategy
    Summary
         Key Points to Remember
    References
    Further Suggested Reading

    Strategic Quality Planning
    Introduction
    Strategic Decision Making—Why Does It Matter?
    Strategic Quality Planning Model for the QMS
         First Stage: Business Analysis
         Second Stage: Strategy Formulation—Objectives, Mission, Vision, and Values
         Third Stage: Deployment—Putting Plans into Action
         Fourth Stage: Evaluation and Control—Setting the Metrics to Measure Performance
    Using SQP in a Pharmaceutical Company
         Cost–Benefit and Non-Cost–Benefit Analysis
    Summary
         Key Points to Remember
    References
    Further Suggested Reading

    Building the QMS and Business Improvement Plan by Selecting the Right Models, Methods, and Tools
    Introduction
    Business and Quality Improvement Models, Methods, and Tools: A Classification
    Selection Criteria
         Criterion 1—Needs
         Criterion 2—Cost–Benefit
         Difficulties with Cost–Benefit Analyses
         Criterion 3—Resources
         Identification of Resource Needs
              Allocation of Resources
         Criterion 4—Capabilities
              Identification of Capability Needs
    Selecting the Right Models, Methods, and Tools
         Previous Stages to the Selection of Business and Quality Improvement Models, Methods, and Tools
         Selecting the Right Models, Methods, and Tools
         Diagnostic and Selection of the Right Models, Methods, and Tools
    Summary
         Key Points to Remember
    References
    Further Suggested Reading

    QMS Implementation
    Introduction
    QMS Implementation Challenges
    Critical Success Factors for the Implementation of the Selection Methodology
         CSF 1: Strong Committed Leadership and Good Decision Making
         CSF 2: Motivated, Committed, and Participative Labor Force
         CSF 3: Process-Oriented Focus
         CSF 4: Organizational Culture That Supports Continuous Improvement (CI)
         CSF 5: Effective Communication
    Awareness of Some Barriers to QMS Implementation
    Managing Change
    Linking to Selection Methodology
    Summary
         Key Points to Remember
    References
    Further Suggested Reading

    QMS and Business Processes Evaluation
    Introduction
    Follow-Up Activities
    Follow-Up Evaluation Method
         Defining the QMS Maturity for Follow-Up Eva
         Follow-Up Evaluations for Business Processes
         Follow-Up Evaluations of Quality Management Audits
    Lessons Learned and the Management of Knowledge for Business Excellence
    Summary
         Key Points to Remember
    Further Suggested Reading

    Beyond Quality Management Systems
    Brief Summary
    Quality Management Culture: A Way of Life
    The Never-Ending Improvement Process
         Customers’ Needs, Requirements, and Expectations
         Set Specific Objectives
         Value-Added and Business Value-Added Processes
         Review and Evaluate Progress toward Objectives
         Quality Methods and Tools
    Becoming a World-Class Organization
    Summary
         Key Points to Remember
    References
    Further Suggested Reading

    Index

    Biography

    Luis Rocha-Lona, Jose Arturo Garza-Reyes, Vikas Kumar