Understanding Quality Management: What Is a Quality Management System?

If you’re in any industry, you probably know the importance of being on top of everything and meeting customer needs.

One way to make this easier on yourself is to invest in a quality management system.

What is a quality management system and why would your business benefit from one? Do you really need it or is it one of those things that seem nice, but just makes more hassle for everyone?

If you want to learn about quality management systems and how you can implement one today, keep reading.

What is a Quality Management System?

A quality management system or QMS is just a fancy term for a system that documents processes, responsibilities, and procedures to achieve quality policies and objectives for your business. 

Quality management directs an organization’s activities to meet specific customer’s needs or federal regulations. Simply put, it is the act of ensuring all activities and tasks remain a certain level of quality across the board at all times. 

Benefits of a Quality Management System

Implementing a quality management system can have a positive effect on all aspects of your business including instilling confidence in your organization by meeting the customer’s needs. This can, in turn, lead to more sales for your business.

It will also help with ensuring compliance among regulators. Your products and services can expand in the most cost-efficient manner. 

Other benefits of quality management systems include:

• A reduction in waste 
• Preventing mistakes and time lost in fixing them
• Lower costs
• Improve the controlling process
• Increase engagement with staff
• Expand your company quickly and cost-efficiently

Use a QMS to Improve your Business

So, you’re interested in using a QMS to improve your business, but where do you start? Every business has different standards, products, goals, and values to keep in mind. Quality management should embrace these values not detract from them. 

Here are a few things all QMS systems have in common:

• The organization’s set quality policy
• The organization quality objectives
• A quality manual
• Procedures, instructions, and records
• A data management system
• Internal processes
• Improvement opportunities
• Quality analysis

Set in place a standardized system. Organizations that follow federal codes and regulations can set up a standardized system. All of these standards can be tracked and audited regularly to keep on eye on your practices.

A total quality management approach focuses on longterm development and creating quality products. It’s a “Plan, Do, Check, Act” system that is used in many different industries. Be sure to emphasize the role that teams or employees will play out as you strive for the top quality.  

Your Business Needs a Quality Management System

What is a quality management system? It’s something that your business needs to stay organized, stay up-to-date, and meet your own standards.

Now that we’ve covered quality management systems and what they can do for your business, you are probably already thinking of some benefits to your specific company.

Research further which system will work for your company and choose one that matches appropriately with your companies objectives and goals. 

It may take a little bit of time to implement your quality management system but it will be worth it in the end. If you enjoyed this article, please share it with your work colleagues and read more of our business articles.