QMS Manual for TS 16949 - Sequence for Writing the QMS Manual

[William Battles]

I have been in the lerch to prepare a quality manual and the other day it occurred to me (maybe this is not feasible for all), All the info we need is in the
QS 9000 System. Why not pattern our manuals of of the Flow Charts, FMEAS, and Control Plans? We could do our process maps, models etc. and write the quality manual from there. Mind you I haven't got it all figured out, but it helped me put things in perspective. Thoughts, Comments, Criticisms Please!

[SteelWoman]

William, as I think (it's Friday, what do I know?!) I might have discussed in a previous post, we're going the same route here - moving from QS to TS it occurred to me that TS did NOT require the same kind of "quality manual" per se as QS did - and our TS quality manual will BE the sum of our flow charts, diagrams, few procedures, matrixes, etc. Instead of the traditional element by element, spit it back document that I always found quite useless in QS. (though others have and will disagree with me on that point).

Anyway, that's where we're headed, though note that we ain't there yet! Our "transition" audit is scheduled for April 2004.

[isogirl]

Hey there...I'm new to this site, just arrived today and I'm extremely happy I found it! I have to change our QS over to TS and boy oh boy I have really felt very alone in this ISO world. (No one here wants to deal with this can of worms). It's great to see these discussions going on. I've learned a lot in just a few minutes here.

Now down to business: In mulling over how to layout our Quality Manual, I figured as SteelWoman did...away with the boring, un-efficient element-by-element book that lies in the corner coated with dust. No one reads the darn thing 'til audit time anyway.

Now I just need to convince the implementation team at our 1st meeting next week. I think I will start with sample process flowcharts to get the ball rolling. Do those of you with experience here agree? I need a boost to get going.

[Icy Mountain]

Welcome to the Cove, Mr. Battles and isogirl.

Try this thread:
TS 16949 Quality Manual

It's rather large (up to 128 posts now) but it contains just about every possible opinion on quality manuals. In addition, there are a number of different style quality manuals available for download (it'll cost you US$25 but it's worth it for download access at the Cove).

Also, read the
Quality Manual Structure thread. 168 posts of very good information. Between the two you should have no problem figuring out what is best for your company.
Good Luck!

[isogirl]

Icy Mountain, thanks for the welcome and the advice. I've found an abundance of information here. I've read through the threads you suggested and downloaded your manuals and a couple of process maps to get ideas from. Now I will try and digest all of this info quickly (our prelim audit is scheduled for Feb. '03) and come up with a plan of my own.

As I work, I will continue to stay logged on, as I have become addicted to the Cove!

[Randy Stewart]

ISOGIRL,
Welcome first of all.
My suggestion is that you lay it out as an Operations Manual. Here's a hint: start your systems integration process now. Does your company have a 5S initiative? How about ISO 14001 or Safety?
I know, your prelim is Feb. and this seems like a lot of extra work that will take time you don't have. But, if you do this stuff up front, it becomes a useable tool and you'll benefit in the long run.
If you have to, leave your old one in place, just make sure all the "SHALLS" are addressed and start mapping the new one.
We went from a 67 page monster to 12 pages, and it includes all I've mentioned above. Think 1 stop shopping.

[isogirl]

Randy,

Thanks for the welcome and advice. Talk about time I don't have!! As luck would have it "we" are also implementing ISO 14001. In a mad rush. We lost our Q1 in September because we weren't registered. I am new here as of June and didn't know anything about it until that fateful day. Seems someone dropped the ball somewhere. I've gotten a manual together, gone through the desk audit and on-site review. I am attending 14001 auditor training tomorrow and Friday. Our final registration audit is set for Nov 19th & 20th. Whew!

So, back to the subject at hand: Yes, 14001 will be in place. Someone here suggested the very same thing as you. Keep the old with references and work on the new. That may be the route I'll have to take. I'm getting a headache just thinking about it all.

[Don Wood]

You DO NOT need to create an element-by-element manual, I actively discourage people from creating them, and it could well be that your auditor, if handed one for TS2, will take it as a sign that you've missed the point of TS2/ISO9K:2K and haven't considered the vastly more important issue of the sequence and interaction of your QMS processes and dig a bit more thoroughly into your QMS than they would otherwise. The manual should reflect how your processes truly operate- nothing more, nothing less. Anything you add over and above that just makes it easier for your auditors to catch you out on a difference between what your manual says and what you actually do.
DW