Quality Policy - What is the Elsmar Cove's Quality Policy?

[samsung]

I am wondering if Elsmar Cove itself has a Quality Policy and has adopted a structured Quality Management System (or any other system) irrespective of certification by an external agency, in order to "consistently provide its services that meet its customer requirements".

[Marc]

1. There isn't a quality policy per se.

The Elsmar Cove Mission
To be a Free Business Standards and Business Systems Information Resource to Quality Assurance, Engineering and Management Professionals. People Helping People since 1996!

2. I have a structured way of maintaining the site (such as backups, software updates and such) in a file on my Mac named: "Elsmar Maintenance and Passwords_2010.txt". In fact, right now I am just finishing up backing up the forum and its database and related files off-site using the directions I've written out in the file.
2a. We have 'work instructions' and guidelines for moderators in the moderator's forum (only accessible to moderators).
2b. We have 'work instructions' (aka procedures) for visitors.
2c. We have a complaint system which is a catchall for nonconformances and related issues.
2c1. There is a way to anonymously submit a complaint.
2d. We have policies.
2e. There is a 'FAQ which addresses Frequently Asked Questions about the site (mainly software related).
2e1. There is a way to anonymously request personal help with the forum software.
2f. We have a Privacy & Copyright Statement
2g. We have a suggestions system.

There are no measureables per se other than visitor statistics which are posted monthly.

Bear in mind this is not a 'business' per se. It started out as more or less a hobby. Today it is to some degree a 'business', but it is not a 'for fee' service or business. People come here and get information for free by reading threads and getting free files from the free files directory. Some chose to Register, but that is free as well, and in addition those who Register gain free access to files attached to posts in threads *except* some files attached to posts in threads in the "$ Contributor's forum".

The Elsmar Cove forum is supported by, and entirely depends upon, the voluntary donation of time by the Moderators and a relatively small (vs. the tens of thousands of people who visit here) group of 'regular' visitors who help people with their questions and such. My Thanks and appreciation to each of them, as always.

There are no paid employees other than myself, and I (of course) make what ever the net income of the site is for any given month (which is quite variable).

Some services are sub-contracted to 'for profit' (aka 'for a fee') companies including rental of the server the site runs on, periodic server security evaluations and other tasks which are beyond my knowledge and expertise.

The Elsmar Cove is *almost* entirely supported financially by advertising (very few people 'Contribute' to help financially). It would be nice if more people did help out through contributions (once a month or so someone will donate through a 'Contribution', but that is insignificant), but like TV and radio before TV (and newspapers before radio) advertising is the only significant income source.

Now - A quick question: What are your "Customer Requirements/Expectations" considering this is a service which is free? Bear in mind we have no 'contract' with visitors. People come and get what they want for free, but there are no guarantees (written or otherwise) about anything (including files, validity of advice, and continuation of service).

[harry]

Considering that people come here voluntarily to use the resources for free and for reference and take away whatever they want (all, none or a certain percentage of the advices given or ideas shared), I think users do not qualify as customers per se. Even the moderators like myself are users who happened to volunteer for additional responsibilities.

The Cove does provide a voluntary service (platform and infrastructure and moderating) and in this sense, what Marc described is an attempt to provide a better and more uniform service. With regards to users, I think we had moved way beyond the certification level (forced regulation). What we practiced here is more towards voluntary regulation - be civil, observe good net/netiquette practices and on technical matters, to share your experience however simple it may be but avoid bad advice (a slip of the mind is acceptable but do not make it a habit)

This is how I see it.

[Ajit Basrur]

Well summarized, Marc.

I would say, the the Quality Policy could be - "People helping people around the world everyday ... A win-win for everyone".

Btw, this is a good question, Samsung

[suildur]

In Reply to Parent Post by Marc

1. There isn't a quality policy per se.

The Elsmar Cove Mission
To be a Free Business Standards and Business Systems Information Resource to Quality Assurance, Engineering and Management Professionals. People Helping People since 1996!

2. I have a structured way of maintaining the site (such as backups, software updates and such) in a file on my Mac named: "Elsmar Maintenance and Passwords_2010.txt". In fact, right now I am just finishing up backing up the forum and its database and related files off-site using the directions I've written out in the file.
2a. We have 'work instructions' and guidelines for moderators in the moderator's forum (only accessible to moderators).
2b. We have 'work instructions' (aka procedures) for visitors.
2c. We have a complaint system which is a catchall for nonconformances and related issues.
2c1. There is a way to anonymously submit a complaint.
2d. We have policies.
2e. There is a 'FAQ which addresses Frequently Asked Questions about the site (mainly software related).
2e1. There is a way to anonymously request personal help with the forum software.
2f. We have a Privacy & Copyright Statement
2g. We have a suggestions system.

There are no measureables per se other than visitor statistics which are posted monthly.

Bear in mind this is not a 'business' per se. It started out as more or less a hobby. Today it is to some degree a 'business', but it is not a 'for fee' service or business. People come here and get information for free by reading threads and getting free files from the free files directory. Some chose to Register, but that is free as well, and in addition those who Register gain free access to files attached to posts in threads *except* some files attached to posts in threads in the "$ Contributor's forum".

The Elsmar Cove forum is supported by, and entirely depends upon, the voluntary donation of time by the Moderators and a relatively small (vs. the tens of thousands of people who visit here) group of 'regular' visitors who help people with their questions and such. My Thanks and appreciation to each of them, as always.

There are no paid employees other than myself, and I (of course) make what ever the net income of the site is for any given month (which is quite variable).

Some services are sub-contracted to 'for profit' (aka 'for a fee') companies including rental of the server the site runs on, periodic server security evaluations and other tasks which are beyond my knowledge and expertise.

The Elsmar Cove is *almost* entirely supported financially by advertising (very few people 'Contribute' to help financially). It would be nice if more people did help out through contributions (once a month or so someone will donate through a 'Contribution', but that is insignificant), but like TV and radio before TV (and newspapers before radio) advertising is the only significant income source.

Now - A quick question: What are your "Customer Requirements/Expectations" considering this is a service which is free? Bear in mind we have no 'contract' with visitors. People come and get what they want for free, but there are no guarantees (written or otherwise) about anything (including files, validity of advice, and continuation of service).

This definition is almost like any other non-profit purpose NGO which suits to NACE coding EA39O91.33. So, the case is listed in ISO 9001 scopes.

[Ajit Basrur]

In Reply to Parent Post by suildur

This definition is almost like any other non-profit purpose NGO which suits to NACE coding EA39O91.33. So, the case is listed in ISO 9001 scopes.

Can you pl elaborate more on this code ?

[suildur]

In Reply to Parent Post by Ajit Basrur

Can you pl elaborate more on this code ?

You know, there are "sector" codes for each scope in the certification process of ISO 9001. The CBs use the related coding system according to their accreditation scheme. EA plus NACE coding is used in EU, and also Turkey.

I maynot have the latest revision of the list, however, there wouldn't be major changes, because the structure of the list is also used in other lists; i.e. trade mark certification.

Anyway, there are 39 different sectors as below:

No
NACE Codes
1
Agriculture, fishing
2
Mining and quarrying
3
Food products, beverages and tobacco
4
Textile and textile products
5
Leather and leather products
6
Wood and wood products
7
Pulp, paper and paper products
8
Publishing companies
9
Printing companies
10
Manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products
11
Nuclear fuel
12
Chemicals, chemical products and fibres
13
Pharmaceuticals
14
Rubber and plastic products
15
Non-metallic mineral products
16
Concrete, cement, lime, plaster etc.
17
Basic metals and fabricated metal products
18
Machinery and equipment
19
Electrical and optical equipment
20
Shipbuilding
21
Aerospace
22
Other transport equipment
23
Manufacturing not elsewhere classified
24
Recycling
25
Electricity supply
26
Gas supply
27
Water supply
28
Construction
29
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles, personal and household goods
30
Hotels and restaurants
31
Transport, storage and communication
32
Financial inter mediation; real estate and renting
33
Information technology
34
Engineering services
35
Other services
36
Public administration
37
Education
38
Health and social work
39
Other social services

This list of NACE codes is based on the Statistical nomenclature for economic activities (NACE Rev 1) published by the Commission of European Communities (Official Journal L83 dated 3 April 1993).

Also, there are Division Groups and Classes under EA codes. And, in our case, it is like follows:

39
Section 0

Other community, social and personal service activities

90

Sewage and refuse disposal, sanitation and similar activities

90.0

Sewage and refuse disposal, sanitation and similar activities


90.00
Sewage and refuse disposal, sanitation and similar activities

91

Activities of membership organizations n.e.c.

91.1

Activities of business, employers' and professional organizations


91.11
Activities of business and employers! organizations


91.12
Activities of professional organizations

91.2

Activities of trade unions


91.20
Activities of trade unions

91.3

Activities of other membership organizations


91.31
Activities of religious organizations


91.32
Activities of political organizations


91.33
Activities of other membership organizations n.e.c.

If a non-profit NGO, which is a membership organization, would like to be certified, then the scope is listed under EA39O91.33.

That's it.

[Marc]

Also see: NACE Codes and NACE Codes List.