University of Surrey Business School's Research Reinforces the Importance of Holistic Quality Management in Businesses.
Ensuring product quality isn't merely a final checkpoint; it's a continuous journey that involves every stage, from inception to delivery. A recent study from the University of Surrey Business School sheds light on the evolving landscape of Quality Management Systems (QMS) and their pivotal role in diverse industries.
The study emphasises that the conventional notion of "quality is everyone's job" has gained unprecedented significance, prompting a surge in demand for advanced and modern QMS solutions. Unlike the traditional quality control systems confined to labs, today's QMS spans the entire production cycle, addressing challenges from remote work scenarios to the digitisation and automation of processes.
Juan De Villena, Director of Quality Assurance and Food Safety at Wayne Farms, stresses the comprehensive nature of a QMS. It goes beyond being a mere "quality control" system focused on end products; instead, it ensures that every aspect of quality and food safety aligns with the processor's specifications and expectations, covering raw materials, ingredients, and packaging materials.
In the post-COVID era, QMSs have witnessed a 22% year-over-year growth since 2019, according to Gartner Group. The modern QMS is far more networked, incorporating data directly from equipment and sensors. This transformation, coupled with artificial intelligence and machine learning integration, has redefined how users interact with these systems, making them accessible from anywhere globally.
Key Features of an Effective QMS:
1. Reliability, Repeatability, and Scientific Basis:
- Juan De Villena highlights the importance of reliability, ensuring the system works under all circumstances.
- Repeatability ensures consistent performance over time, instilling confidence in the overall process and finished products.
- Scientific basis becomes crucial for defensibility, particularly in today's litigious environment.
2. Accessibility, Ease of Use, and Real-time Actionability:
- Bryan Cohn, Senior Solutions Engineer at SafetyChain Software, underscores the need for systems that are accessible, easy to use, and enable quick actions based on real-time data.
3. Configurability and Adaptability:
- Sheridan Brewer, CAT Squared Implementation Specialist, stresses the importance of systems that allow configuration to meet scientific or regulatory requirements. Flexibility is essential to support different departmental needs.
Food Safety within QMS:
The study addresses the integration of food safety within QMS, emphasising that they should be inseparable. Food safety cannot be isolated from quality, as both are integral to producing safe products for consumers. The need for a holistic approach is vital to avoid conflicting directions within different business groups.
In conclusion, a successful QMS implementation requires buy-in from all levels of management and departments. QMS suppliers should provide added value quickly through dynamic reports that incorporate floor data, aligning with the ongoing digital transformation in businesses. Today, a robust QMS not only ensures quality but also reduces waste, lowers costs, assesses risks, and enhances overall organisational performance. The question remains: Can businesses afford to operate without one?
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