Quality Management System - Assignment Example

Quality Questions:  Explain quality and why is needed?  Quality is a ive term and is relevant to the fineness and acceptability of an individual. Quality is anything that fulfils the desired list and desired criterion. Quality is anything that lives up to and meets the conformity level of a certain function. The scope of the world quality is quite broad and in generic terms it can be used for even the smallest items. In management and commercial terms, term quality is relevant to the quality of services, products, processes and other essential elements within the organization. Quality in outside would be anything that pleases the senses, is according to the taste, liking and desired wish list. While the term itself is subjective, yet its connotation is universal in its nature and that is of excellence and refined outlook Quality is needed because it enables knowing what is right, what is to be done, how is it to be done, against what is wrong, what is not to be done,, and how is it not to be done. Quality is another name for a benchmark and criterion, which enables setting guidelines and directions towards achieving a certain objective. In context of organizational functioning, quality is anything ( product or service) that is according to the liking of customers. Since organizations work relevant and in line to customers’ considerations, hence quality is subject to their appeasement and liking. Without the quality factor, the customers would get distasted. Quality is anything to your desired aspirations. It is in human nature to like and approve anything that is to their desired aspirations (quality) and disapprove anything that is otherwise (bad or no quality).  Explain Quality Management System?  Q.M.S is a holistic approach towards attainment of objectives with regard to customer satisfaction, organizational aims and objectives and broader goals that are settled forehand. A quality management system is a fully equipped tool and entity, which takes in to account all the factors , all the variables, all the components which need to be taken in to account in order to derive the ascribed results. A Q.M.S has processes defined, activities outlined , schedules fixed, budgets allocated, paths determined, hazards red lined, in short, every factor which is either going to impact the task at hand in a positive manner, or in a detracting manner, are all weighed and gauged out against a specific target an aim list. A Q.M.S under the umbrella of I.S.O (international Organization of Standardization) works to remove the pitfalls and weak links and nurture all those factors which serve the purpose. A Q.M.S is akin to I.S.O certifications, requirements and obligations which serve aptly towards achieving a successful output. Deriving and dissecting the Initials, it is the management and a system based on quality considerations. It is not just the processes and products, rather it also pertains to the individual personnel involved in a task and product manufacturing or service delivery field. Quality management system takes in to account certain factors which directly impact the overall working in a positive manner. Such as functions like making use of the resources properly, utilizing the manpower in the most suitable manner, and bringing the best out of adverse situations, along with staying on board with the stakeholders and taken into account the marketing factors and other technical aspects are all in the ambit of quality management system(Gitlow, 2000). History of quality The concept of quality is originated over a fortnight, rather it has been around since inception. Ever since man has taken to the social realm, it has aimed at improved its life style, improving the ambiance around itself and improving the overall facilities and outlook of world. It has undergone various steps, and various transitions to stand at a point where it stands at present. While the pre historic times were driven by manual functions, as soon as the scientific elements came and started conquering every field, it spread its webs to the management, production and manufacturing industry as well and improved quality along with. In context of managerial field, it has undergone changes with time. the modern day history can be traced to a multiple factors, one being the industrial revolution in the lat e18th century and second being the scientific methods and approaches that came to forth in the early twentieth century. All these have one thing in common, and that is to strive for improvement and facilitation of the stakeholders involved. The industrial revolution was primarily focused on improving the methods of management functions, along with aims at improving the overall outlook and throughput of the management units. The late twentieth century saw more rapid advancements in this field in shape of quality management systems, more improved equipments, science and technology usage in more abundance and more smart ways of going about functions. The entities like T.Q.M, I.S.O, Q.M.S, are few of the elements that make up for the journey covered by the quality. The role of proponents in this regard cannot be undermined, for they made possible introducing all the concepts, all the tools and all the functions that made the entire thing possible. explain quality control and quality assurance ?  Quality control and quality assurance are two aspects of ensuring quality conformity, each having its own characteristics. The timing and execution of each of them vary in a way that each is applied at a specific instance. While one is a counter active measure other is preventive measure. Quality assurance is based on the principle of preventing any mishap or poor quality product or service from surfacing or reaching to the customers / clients. It is the concept of ensuring that everything is intact and as per requirements. The motive behind quality control is the fact that a stitch in time saves nine, and the time that would otherwise be spent on correction, defects omission and eradication, that time through quality assurance can be utilized in making other products and services. Methodology design of a product or service is part of quality assurance, in this particular process, the methods and techniques are worked out to determine and establish a path for future outlook and targets at hand. Quality control on other hand is based on the idea of tracing out faults, keeping up with the customers and services post production. Both these vary in the timings of their execution. While one is based on identification post production, other is based on pre production and pre service delivery phase. Each has its own importance and no organization or unit can go without these two functions and entities. These are phases of a overall quality management system and quality conformity and each complement one another in a certain way. Quality assurance pertains to under developed or during developing process scrutiny, while quality control entails post production yet prior to delivery or to customers. -explain PDCA, PDSA  PDCA and PDSA are acronyms for Plan- Do- Check –Act, while PDSA stands for Plan- DO-Study-Act. Each the elementary principles and elements of field of management and each being undertaken to go about a task in a calculated manner that would result in desired outputs. PDCA: It is a four step process, each complementing other, with aim of reaching to the final path in an organization manner. The process starts with the planning phase, every good endeavor is initiated with planning stage, for without planning, the entire system falls into a disarray. In this phase, schedules, resources, tasks, and all other variables are planned and chalked out in advance in order to assess their impact and feasibility towards the task at hand. This is followed by the Do step, which is the phase towards practical implementation, in this phase ,the conformance of processes and products are tested. It is during this phase where the conformity to the international standards and customers demands are taken into account, the earlier steps defined in planning phase are put to implementation in this phase. The next phase is that of check. It is a preventive cum corrective step and is based on the consideration that the activities should be monitored and in time reporting should be done in case if there is non coherent in any instance and event. By the “Act” phase, all has been completed, and it is a mere pilot test and practical field deliverance. PDSA: it is also a vital tool and is undertaken in different disciplines, not just management but in health care and other organizational units as well. The entire concept of PDSA is based on targeting the weaknesses, and aiming to capitalize on the strengths and the possible options and opportunities that are available for taking. It also provides the guidelines as to how to go about the change and improvement. Like PDCA, its scope is extended to products, services and personnel. Through implementation of PDSA, visible improvements are extracted and the goals achievement is made far easier. PDSA is actually a holistic approach towards quality improvement and is an integral part of quality management system. PDSA is a step towards achieving giant steps such as QMS and TQM accomplishment (Fukuda, 2011). 2,3 dimensions of quality: Quality itself a multifaceted and multi dimensional entity, each angle being important in its own way. The two, three dimensions of importance are: Conformance, performance and reliability. Explain chain reaction Chain reaction as in general context, is a series of activities in which one is followed by another. It is a trigger concept with one leading to another and a line being established afterwards. In management terms, chain reaction entails the concept of setting up on the right footings and allowing one process to follow another and as a result an overall uniform system. As a result of chain reaction, the synchronous functions are kept intact and the processes fall in to order by themselves. This reduces the chances of haphazard working to a great extent as well. Discuss 2 points of Deming’s 14 points.  Edward Deming, one of the proponents of the field of management and improvement in the industrial and organizational domain, came up with his 14 points, which are termed as the corner stone of quality and management. These fourteen points are in true alliance with the secret of a successful organization. These points are the desired recipes which serve to the purpose of fulfilling the tasks undertaken. While the entire idea was based on 14 points, the two of these points are as follows: Drive out fear: According to this principle, fear in the minds of workers serves nothing good and rather restricts their natural ability. This point strongly signifies the role that is to be played by the mangers and top rank officers. Their policies should be devised such that they ensure and encourage more participation, more risk taking activities. The employees should be encouraged into thinking out of the box and should not be contained in to thinking and restricting themselves only to the inside the box concept and myopic approach which restricts their natural abilities. This point calls for change and adaptation of more flexible and more participatory role of managers which is based on respect, equal opportunities and least of hurdles and fear. Continuous improvement: while the modern times are driven by aim towards improvement and excellence, Deming philosophy is also based on this concept and he was one of the pioneers who stressed upon the concept of continuous process. According to him, improvement is not a destination rather a journey that is to be undertaken as long as the organization and project is in place. It should come to an end once and only once when the task is accomplished. A mere set of improvements or at a certain phase in a project and organization do not hold good for requirements that are faced by the incumbent organizations in modern times(Walton, 1986). Discuss 2 of the seven deadly diseases. This contribution also comes under the belt of Edward Deming. While he on one side established and introduced the concept of 14 points towards organizational activities, he at the same time provided guidelines for discussing the seven deadly diseases which can hamper the overall process. These diseases stand as stymies towards the objectives and desired output. Out of the seven highlighted by Deming, two of them are as following: Absence of consistency in idea, plan and action: Deming has termed them a impeding elements towards the growth of organization. Without consistency the organization and the project loses its shape and charm, and there is no or little coherence left in the overall task Fear factor: fear obstructs natural process and clear thinking, as a result handicapped atmosphere. Deming terms this as most destructive element in this regard and considers it a threat towards achieving the objectives. Fear comes directly from the top management and the decision makers. This calls for a flexible approach and policy of participation, enrolment and encouragement of the members which will yield more output and more success. Fear elimination helps creating a better working relationship and better working environment in the organization. - explain and discuss Jurans Teri-logy: Juran is another proponent of the field of quality improvement and processes refinement. He established certain principles which have been part of organizational structures for long while now and they are paying dividends in their execution. The entire idea is based on the principle of C.P.I and C.Q.I, ( continuous Process Improvement and Continuous Quality improvement). According to this principle, the improvement process is a nonstop one and it continues as long as the project is in its working. Its aim is to refine the processes, products, activities and other factors which contribute towards the success of task. The basic elements of this trilogy are Planning, control, and improvement. Each of them complement one another. Each of them is focused on the concept of knowing what is to be produced, how is it to produced, and who exactly are the target clients along with the consideration of time. Discuss 2 of four absolutes of quality: Philip Crosby is another name in the field of quality management, he in form of absolute quality proposed certain ideas which are in line with improvement of overall processes in the organizations. Two of his salient points are: 1-Prevention is the order of the day, for it saves more than can be saved in form of correction. 2-Nonconformance is a cost incurred, for it results in extra work, low throughput and time wastage which is otherwise used for creating and delivering services for fresh clients and fresh products. - explain quality circles.  Quality cycles are loosely coined with the Kaizen concept, and both are in practice for purpose of improvement in processes and activities which in turn increases the overall output and reputation of the organization. Quality circle entails certain segment of organization or unit which is designated towards the improvement factor and looking into the areas which can be improved along with those where new horizons can be extracted. It is a concept of modern times and is based on facilitating more participation and more throughputs in the overall organizational atmosphere with direct beneficiaries being the clients who through presence of effective management schemes can get exactly what they desire for. PSDA and PSCA are part of quality circle, with each phase having its own importance and each present to facilitate and support the other phase. References: Fukuda, S., 2011. Emotional Engineering. s.l.:Springer. Gitlow, H. S., 2000. Quality Management Systems: A Practical Guide. s.l.:CRC Press. Walton, M., 1986. The Deming Management Method. s.l.:Penguin. Wood, J. C., 2005. Joseph M. Juran: Critical Evaluations In Business And Management. s.l.:Psychology Press. Read More