THE PURPOSE
The word "system" has a precise meaning: we define as a system a body of
connected and interdependent parts. Managing a system means mastering the bonds and interdependences among its parts. The "Quality management system" is the
whole made up of connected and interdependent elements, which produce quality and therefore the ability of running and controlling an organization in connection
with Quality.
The satisfaction of involved parties does not merely concern the product but also the service, the relation, the image, trust: all features arise from the system as a whole.
THE NORMS
One of the objectives of the 2000 revision has been the simplification of the number of norms.
The new Iso 9000 family consists of the following Norms:
- ISO 9000 - Quality management systems: foundations and terminology
- ISO 9001 - Quality management systems: requisites
- ISO 9004 - Quality management systems: guidelines for improving performance
- ISO 9011 - Quality management systems: auditing in management systems
They are supplemented by other support documents (mainly Iso - Technical Reports):
- Quality Management systems
- selection and use of Iso 9000 norms
- Project Management guide (10.006 revision)
- Configuration Management guide (10.007 rev.)
- Iso 0.012:2002 - Measurements Guide
- Iso 10.013:2001 - QMS documentation Guide
- Iso/TR-10.014:1998 - Guide on the management of the economic effects of Quality
- Iso 10.015:1999 - Ongoing Training Guide
- Iso/TR 10.017 - Guide on statistic techniques (rev. of the 1999 issue)
See the Architecture of the ISO normative for quality (Vision - 2000)
METHODOLOGY
Iso 9000:2000 highlights how maintaining and improving an existing quality management system is based on the following phases:
- identifying customers’ and other involved parties’ needs and expectations
- defining organization quality policy and objectives
- identifying processes and responsibilities needed for reaching the objectives
- identifying and supplying necessary resources
- defining methods to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of each process
- applying such methods
- identifying systems to prevent non conformity and eliminating its causes
- defining and applying a process for the continuous improvement of the quality management system.
See Model of a quality management system
based on processes (ISO 9001:2000)
THE DEMING CYCLE
The Deming cycle is a methodology which guides the ongoing improvement process. It is implemented through a cyclical action based on the sequential reiteration of
the four phases which make up the so called Deming wheel:
- PLAN - planning and thoroughly preparing;
- DO - doing what has been set forth in the first phase;
- CHECK - check results, and compare them with what has been planned;
- ACT - decide to keep or correct.
CERTIFICATION
The conformity certification is defined as "the procedure through which a third party supplies written assurance that a product, process or service is compliant with
established requisites".
The way in which the required "degree of guarantee/assurance" is determined, and the statistical criteria used are therefore fundamental aspects.
But this action is the phase of a process which involves the manufacturer, the legislator, the certifying body, the regulatory body (which represents all involved parties) and
others, for various aspects such as:
- identifying needs and ties;
- determining requisites;
- certification procedures;
- complaint responsibility and management;
- continuous fine tuning.
Please refer to www.sincert.it
for the certification system and accredited bodies.
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