A Quality Management Standard - ISOO 9001 - Research Paper Example

? QUALITY MANAGEMENT Introduction ISO 9001 is a quality management system recognized internationally which helps an organization realize the requirements to be met to fulfill its standards. Millions of organizations worldwide use this system (Drori, 2013). The system is seen to be uneconomical considering the resources required in implementation process of the system. The standards are as per the requirements of the organizations stakeholders and customers. For an organization to meet ISO 9001, a third party body has to certify and provide an independent confirmation. This tool is viewed to be high above a standard measure. It touches on the daily practices of an organization therefore, affecting the quality of services (Steyn, 2012). Charts, diagrams and tables are used to illustrate the planning, implementation, control, and documentation of this quality management structure. Below is a sample of a flow chart There are various tools in this system as discussed below; Customer focus In the application of this tool, the organization focuses on the needs and preferences of the customers. The organization puts up a system that ensures there is effective communication between the organization and the customers (Steyn, 2012). The customers are free to make enquiries and recommendations. The organization is able to get feedback from customers. When producing, the organization ensures products are in accordance to consumer expectations. General processes in an organization affect the final product that is released to consumer. Given that the organization focus on the needs of the customers, all the activities are geared towards ensuring that the final products are according the needs in the market. There is good relationship between the customers and the organization, the customers are satisfied by the quality and quantity of the products and they can access these products at fair prices. Organizations that use the customer focus tool; have embraced it because they have been compelled by the customers. Additionally, realizing competitors have embraced this system; these organizations have been left with no alternative (Drori, 2013). The companies have however found this tool to be significant in their performance. 1. Leadership This tool is applicable in the top management level of an organization. The management body, in implementation of this tool, should focus on the communication, planning, provision of adequate resources, and reviews of the performance. It is through good leadership in an organization that the staff is motivated and the organizations’ goals are met without compromise. The leadership provides good working environment hence increase in the output (Steyn, 2012). The organization’s reputation and image is improved. It is not possible to underestimate the senior management’s role in an organization. Therefore, the leaders of organization should understand and articulate the organizations goals clearly.    2. Involvement of people In order to realize the objectives of the organization, the top management should work with other people both within and outside the organization. There should be effective communication to ensure smooth operations within the organization (Watson, & Howarth, 2011). Powers and responsibilities of individuals in the organization should be clearly stated. This important because each person is ware is his duties and the ranks are clear. This motivates the employees and reduces conflicts and time wastage. Senior manager should be given the responsibility of ensuring overall smooth running of the organization. 3. Process approach The operation processes in an organization should be kept in check. This entails checking performance scope. There should be effective means to control the processes in the organization. This tool can be implemented through developing list of steps to follow in the organization. Additionally, there should be tracking system that enables one to evaluate the production processes (Watson, & Howarth, 2011). Also, the products produced should not be left lying around. Instead, a storage system is devised. Good operations processes in an organization reduce the level of waste of both the supplied materials and end products. The quality of products supplied in market is not compromised since the right processes are followed. 4. System management approach This is first stage in of using quality management system in an organization. This entails developing the system, how it shall be used and procedures of improving its application (Steyn, 2012). The system should be document with clear definition of how it works. The information about the system should be simple, clear and accurate. The structure developed should allow for quality management issues. This is because; it is the quality of production that determines the survival of an organization in the market place. In this approach, regular reviews are crucial. 5. Continual improvement This tool entails general improvement of organization’s systems (Steyn, 2012). Due to the changing technology, the organization needs to improve its systems to ensure the staff responds to the changes effectively without affecting the production. This includes developing a procedure that enables the staff respond to the changes and trends. This tool is applied in an organization to ensure that the quality of production is not compromised regardless of the trends. Upon application of this tool, the organization is assured of perpetuity and good performance even in the unfavorable external environment (Watson, & Howarth, 2011). For any organization to survive and its products remain relevant in the market, it has to keep up with the trends. 6. Factual approach to decision making Before doing anything, it is important for the organization to plan. The planning activity entails, defining what needs to be done, method and the inputs needed. The plan must show duration an activity should take before completion (Watson, & Howarth, 2011). Upon successful planning, the plan should be reviewed in stages to ensure that the implementation process is as per the plan. It is important to plan, because it gives one a picture of requirements and the expected end product. This helps in controlling the scope. Mutual benefit relationship the buyer and supplier. In order to ensure mutual benefit between the organization and the supplier, it is important for the organization to check all the purchases. Materials to be bought should be planned in advance to eliminate cases of buying unwanted items. In the buying process, the buyer should ensure that all what he buys meets the specified requirements. Those purchasing activities that may affect the production in a negative way should be subcontracted (Watson, & Howarth, 2011). The significance of controlling the buying activities is to ensure quality materials are supplied adequately and in time. This in turn, increases the production rate since there are no delays. Conclusion The organizations that apply these quality management tools have a higher competitive advantage over others that do not apply these tools (Tricker, 2005). These tools of ISO certification should not only be used as marketing, but also in strategic planning. This is because; the tools are practical and affect the general performance and image of an organization when applied. References Drori, G. S. (2013). Global themes and local variations in organization and management:perspectives on globalization. Steyn, H. (2012). Project management: a multi-disciplinary approach. Pretoria, FPM Publishing. Tricker, R. (2005). ISO 9001:2000: audit procedures. Oxford, Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann. Watson, P., & Howarth, T. (2011). Construction quality management: principles and practice. London, Spon. Read More