Quality Inspection and Consulting Services

Quality Management Process Overview

1.   Understand the type and extent of RISK that needs to be managed.

2.   Understand the life cycle outputs and natural variability of inputs.

3.   Understand which inputs and outputs are critical to achieving performance expectations (goals).

4.   Understand what “value adding activities” are performed on the inputs in order to deliver outputs that are within
      specifications. Identify ‘critical’ value adding activities and the risk to poor performance of those activities.
      For example, if an undertrained resource (poor quality value adding activity) is performing their particular
      ‘value adding activity’, with correct quality inputs but they still produce poor quality outputs.

5.   Understand the gaps between actual critical outputs and what is required. Prioritize improvement opportunities.

6.   List the quality (improvement) targets to be achieved (from the Quality Plan)

7.   Develop and project plan to deliver SUSTAINABLE results, including identifying the types, accuracy and frequency
      of quality measurement techniques to be undertaken for both the production line and auditing the Quality Management
      Systems’ performance.

8.   Determine the critical product quality specification tolerances (positions you to inspect the right things with the right
      level of diligence), embed this knowledge in your team, as well as the causes of non-compliance within the organization.

9.   Implement a Continuous Improvement (CI) process within the Quality Management System that aligns with your current CI processes
      and measures overall compliance to identify any future problem areas. Address both QA and QC throughout the supply
      chain (including your suppliers) and throughout the life cycle of your product.

10. Continued Success: report the level of quality attained (to job/project management) and compare to your customers
      (continuously changing) quality requirements, i.e. align “quality supply capabilities” with the customers’ “quality demand standards”
      for all products and services.


When to Commence the Quality Management Process

The Quality Management Process is undertaken during the ‘execution’ phase of the job/project. Although Quality Assurance methods may be initiated prior to this phase, Quality Control techniques are implemented during the actual construction of each physical deliverable.

Without a formal Quality Management Process in place, the basic premise of delivering the job/project to meet ‘time, cost and quality’ targets may be compromised.

The Quality Management Process is terminated only when all of the deliverables and management processes have been completed.


Quality Management (QM) Process Model

This model will provide an overview of the Quality Management Process.

The Quality Management process is undertaken to ensure that the quality targets identified within the quality plan are achieved by undertaking clearly defined Quality Assurance and Quality Control measures.

Quality Management will be introduced to job/project management through the implementation of the following key processes:

1. Define risk
2. Define quality targets based on your output performance specifications (see customer requirements)
3. Define quality delivery methodologies and tooling
4. Define quality measurement methodologies and tooling
5. Define QA/QC program for the QMS process
6. Enhance and ALIGN quality achieved to customers’ specifications

The following diagram describes the processes and procedures to be undertaken to assure and control the quality of deliverables and processes within the job/project.


Quality Management Process Model

To build a Quality Management System (QMS), review and execute the following:

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Perform Quality Assurance (QA) on all critical assets and activities

Undertake Quality Assurance methods to ensure the level of quality of the deliverables and processes.

Quality Assurance is defined as “the preventative steps taken to increase the likelihood of delivering a deliverable
and achieving the quality targets set”.

Quality Assurance techniques are often undertaken at a summarized level of the Job/Project by an external Job/Project resource.
Examples include:

Examples include:

1. Referencing historical data to understand areas where quality issues are likely to occur
2. Reviewing the requirements of the job/project to measure deliverables against
3. Reiterating the quality standards to be met to clarify the level of quality required
4. Recruiting skilled staff to produce the deliverables and undertake the processes
5. Undertaking quality reviews to provide confidence that the job/project is on-track
6. Performing formal change control to minimize the likely number of quality issues.


Undertake Quality Control (QC)

The purpose of QC is to ensure (prove) compliance to QA Standards.

Undertake Quality Control techniques to manage the actual level of quality of the deliverables and processes. These activities require that the expected ’grade of workmanship is defined because that is needed to determine which control measures are necessary.

Quality Control is defined as “the controlling and curative steps taken to identify the quality of the actual deliverable delivered and eliminate any variances from the quality targets set”.

Quality Control techniques are defined in the quality plan and are often undertaken at a detailed level of the job/project by an internal job/project resource. Examples requiring review include:

Examples requiring review include:

1. Peers
2. Deliverables
3. Documentation
4. Stage-Gates
5. Processes


Enhance Quality Achieved

After the actual level of quality has been established (through Quality Assurance and Control), compare the level of quality achieved to the quality standards set and implement quality improvement actions as necessary. Report the level of quality achieved and the actions undertaken to the Job/Project Manager for consideration.


Undertake Quality Improvement Actions

1. Assess the results of the Quality Assurance and Quality Control measures to determine the actual quality achieved.

2. Compare the level of quality achieved to the quality standards set and identify any quality deviations.

3. If the level of quality achieved does not meet the standard set, then identify and implement a set of quality improvement
    actions and begin the measurement of quality again.

4. Continue this process until the quality of the deliverable and process meets the quality standards initially defined.

Report Level of Quality Achieved

Regardless of the quality outcome, it is necessary to report the level of quality attained to the Job/Project Manager for consideration.

The Job/Project Manager will need to understand the current level of quality of each deliverable and process and record the Quality Improvement Actions within the Job/Project plan.