Quality and QMS

When we talk about a quality assurance (or management) system, abbreviated as QMS, we refer to a set of procedures and measures with which the quality of a given activity is documented and improved. The more complex and large the activity, the more complex the system will be. It is always important to consider that the benefit achieved by the system (continuous quality improvement) must be greater than the effort required to keep it active.

A QMS is necessarily based on principles that allow decision makers (top management, Governance, etc.) to lead the organization and all activities towards an improvement in performance. The quality experts list eight principles, which represent an internationally shared standard; below is their definition by UNI, the Italian standardization body.

The 8 principles of quality management are listed below.

1. Customer orientation
Organizations depend on their customers and should therefore understand their present and future needs, meet their requirements and aim to exceed their own expectations.

2. Leadership
The leaders establish unity of purpose and direction of the organization. They should create and maintain an internal environment that fully involves staff in the pursuit of the organization's objectives.

3. Involvement of staff
People, at all levels, constitute the essence of the organization and their full involvement allows them to place their skills at the service of the organization.

4. Process approach
A desired result is achieved more efficiently when related activities and resources are managed as a process.
 
5. Systemic approach to management
Identifying, understanding and managing (as if they were a system) interrelated processes contributes to the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization in achieving its objectives.

6. Continuous improvement
Continuous improvement of overall performance should be a permanent goal of the organization.

7. Decisions based on facts
Effective decisions are based on the analysis of data and information.

8. Mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers
An organization and its suppliers are interdependent and a mutually beneficial relationship improves, for both, the ability to create value.

Conclusion
For an organization, having a QMS means applying the eight principles collectively to all the activities of the organization. Successful use of the eight principles by an organization will result in stakeholder benefits, improved monetary returns, value creation and increased stability.