How to describe design processes

Hello all!
I am developing a quality system for a printing company with its own design bureau. Products (orders) they make are most of the times unique. Sometimes they develop layout themselves. Sometimes they only make films for offset printing, sometimes they use the client’s films made by somebody else. What should we call “design” under ISO 9001?
- developing layout;
- preparing postscript file;
- preparing films;
- etc.;
- all the operations performed in the pre-press center (design bureau).
Do they have to have a plan for each of the operation included in the design process as the ISO 9001 suggests?
Maybe somebody already has experience in ISO 9000 preparation in a printing company.
Your thoughts shall be appreciated. Thanks in advance.


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Anton Ovsianko


[This message has been edited by Ovsianko (edited 08 August 2000).]

[barb butrym]

In my humble opinion, the best way to approach design in such circumstances is with a project management software (as in Micro soft project type stuff...any one will do) The assigned engineer/project manager works off a template of all possible options, and chooses the ones applicable to the project at hand.....sets out the "plan" as the timeline......protects it, and puts it out on the network if applicable for viewing. He makes the updates to it as the plan evolves...live online. prints out copies for the "project book/file that holds the backup info/data/minutes..... the book is the evidence to back up the plan...clean, easy and practical. Phases are identified, in the template, and chosen when applicable...at the E/PM discretion...thus giving the freedom.....have the engineers determine the phases and supporting steps for complete buy in.

When I use this approach I get support from the engineers, any other approach has always caused me some sort of grief.

[Kevin Mader]

Anton,

You posted in part:

"What should we call “design” under ISO 9001?
- developing layout;
- preparing postscript file;
- preparing films;
- etc.;
- all the operations performed in the pre-press center (design bureau)."

I guess the question that comes to mind is, are you Design responsible in all cases?

You may have limited responsibility or you may have it all. You may also live in between worlds. As such, your definition will need to be inclusive of your circumstances.

Your definition may include all of the items you bulleted, more, or some. I agree with Barb's approach to defining a template, or checklist if you will, that will guide your project leaders through the activities required. There are many 'models' to choose from, and you may opt to use a design project model that is normaly used in another industry (perhaps automotive). If you should, be sure to tailor your project model to cover the aspects of your business and don't make it overly complicated (for instance, if you should use the automotive design model, you will have many steps that would not be practical in a print shop).

Regards,

Kevin

Thanks Barb, Thanks Kevin,

It is a perfect idea to apply state-of-the-art project management software at large long-lasting design projects. However it is going to be too complicated to introduce such software in the case of the print shop. Each design project lasts here from one to seven days. If it is one day, we are goig to waste more time dealing with software than doing actual work.

We have chosen plainer way with the use of computer limited to mere defining free resources, people and equipment and easy distribution of tasks. Records are going to be marks confirming that an action is to be done or is done and when.

Another thing is when we have to develop and design a new product kind or a new service to be introduced in the company and offered to its clients. Does the process belong to design? How it is related to the above procedures? Do they have to perform “design planning” in a form of writing quality plans?



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Anton Ovsianko
Quality systems consultant

[Marc]

Make a template in Excel. Some years back I used spreadsheets for project planning. Make a template to start with - you rarely have to start from scratch nor does it have to be complex and/or difficult..