quality assurance

							QUALITY ASSURANCE

    Right First Time
                  What is Quality
                   Assurance?
• Quality Assurance is about trying to
  prevent faults happening
• Right first time
• Zero defects
• Every stage of the production process is
  checked for quality
                   Benefits of
                Quality Assurance
Benefits
• Reduces number of faulty products
• Reduces costs through lower wastage
• Motivational for workers, since they are
  involved in quality
               Quality Standards
There are four quality standards/models
• Charter Mark
• ISO 9001
• EFQM
• Investors in People
                  Quality Standards
                       Charter Mark
• Awarded to public sector organisations
• Awarded to organisations who provide
  the highest quality services to customers
• An organisation has to prove that:
  – It has set standards and performed well
  – It has continuously developed and improved
  – It has used resources effectively
                   Quality Standards
                           ISO 9001
• International Standard Organisation 9001
• Business Management Standard
• ISO 9001, focuses on:
  – How a business trains its staff
  – Handles mistakes
  – Uses its resources
  – Improves
                  Quality Standards
                              EFQM
• European Foundation for Quality
  Management
• Aim to encourage European businesses
  to improve their standards
• EFQM has nine criteria, including:
  – Leadership
  – People
  – Processes
  – Key Performance results
                          Quality Standards
                         Investors in People
• Focuses on the people who work in the business
• Ensuring a good level of training and development for
  staff
• Employees who are trained are more likely to be
  motivated
• Idea is that if people are improved, then the
  organisation will improve
• IIP is externally assessed, key issues include:
   – Resolving people issues
   – Improving skills
   – Developing personal responsibility
                   Why have a Quality
                      Standard?
• Reduces errors and costs
• Improves the brand image
• Increases efficiency
• Increases productivity
• Consequently, increases profitability
• Gains the firm a better reputation from
  customers and potential employees
• Can be motivational for staff
                     Useful Websites
•   www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/chartermark
•   www.iso.org
•   www.efqm.org
•   www.investorsinpeople.co.uk