We have one of these so called "canned systems"

[newcomer]

Hello everyone

I don't know how to start and where.
I have recently been appointed Quality Manager, was sent to an internal
auditor course, and now they believe I am a Quality Manager.
We have one of these so called "canned systems" which makes it
impossible for me to find a structure in our QMS.
I am totally lost. Needless to say that there is not much commitment
from top management to Quality.
Well, so I struggle every day, not really knowing what I am supposed to do.
It is not that I do not have a clue at all, I just do not know how and where to start.
My question: is there a book on the market for someone like me, e.g. an Idiot's Guide??
I am not familiar with most of the terminology so I need a lot of
explanation.
I am interested in Quality and can see the importance of a QMS.
Is there any help out there?

newcomer

[Claes Gefvenberg]

Hello newcomer, and welcome to the Cove

Originally Posted by newcomer

Is there any help out there?

Yes, you have come to the right place: Help is at hand, and we'll do our best to help you. First of all (small comfort, I know), many of us have been in similar situations. You are not alone...

Could you provide us with a brief description of your business, the canned system and what you think about it?

/Claes

[Steve Prevette]

Although it isn't a "quality" book per se, I would heartily recommend reading Tom Peters' ReImagine. It does help in the area of what one can do when they don't have traditional "power" in an organization.

[qualitygoddess]

Welcome to the Cove! I was in the same situation 9 years ago, and I didn't get sent to the internal auditing class right away.

We do need to know more about your business and the basic "canned" system that you have, in order to help you get started.

My first recommendation is to get a copy of your company's quality management systems manual and read it over. Then meet with the senior management and find out what they know about the quality system. You need to know how big the mountain is -- the one you are about to climb up so you can plant the "quality success" flag at the top!

Then tell us more about your company, and we can provide other insights. How many employees at your company? How many basic processes do you have? What are your biggest challenges with workers or with management?

--Jodi

[Bill Pflanz]

Hi Newcomer,

I have also been where you are so you have come to the right place for help. You may want to do a search of the Cove for information on quality manuals which will give you a start. Also if your customers or suppliers have quality manuals and other documents that they will show you then that will give you an idea of how others have developed their QMS.

You also did not say what are the expectations for the quality system including a desire for ISO certifications. As you tell us more about your company, industry and your current knowledge of quality, we can provide more guidance. A good place to start is your local library since they may have some good reference books on quality.

It will be an interesting challenge for you that can provide great reward for you and your company so don't get discouraged.

Bill Pflanz

[SteelMaiden]

Welcome Newcomer,

You are in good hands with the folks here. Let me offer a few suggestions of my own. If you are in an area where you can get to some seminars about ISO, quality arena, whatever, go. It takes more than one class to really grasp the meaning of the standards if you are just getting started. Get some books, the suggestions are already rolling in, subscribe to some quality related mags..use the search function.

Do not panic. set small goals and be very detailed in your plan of attack. Take a motivational course that leans heavily on goal-setting, or take the Franklin planner course. (the actual how-to use the planner course) If you liked that one, take the 7 habits course. But, most of all you need to understand that if you set your mind to it and plan, you can do it.

[IMC]

Check the ASQ bookstore at www.asq.org. Also, you may want to buy the CQM "Certified Quality Manager" Handbook from the Indiana Quality Council (USA). Sorry, I do not know if you have a similar institution in your country. The handbook will layout very easily for you what is the scope of a Quality Manager position and responsibilities and some ideas on how to make things to happen. Then, you will have to deal with your top management. I have been in similar situations where I felt like the "ham and cheese of the sandwhich", between production daily numbers and customer requirements pressures. If there is no top management commitment, then it is very difficult to make any significant transformation by yourself, unless you can put in their language ($$$) a good quality cost presentation for them to realize that by improving quality you can improve productivity and the overall company performance.
Good Luck.

[RolandKelly]

Hello and Welcome to the Cove,

I would recommend purchasing a copy of
• ISO 9000 Quality Systems Handbook, FOURTH Edition
David Hoyle
ISBN 0750644516
Approx $35.00 USA

OR

• Understanding and Implementing ISO 9001:2000, SECOND Edition
David Goetsch, Stanley Davis
ISBN 013041106X
Approx $35.00 USA

Read either one of these and you will be in much better position to discuss the whole topic.

Regards,
Roland Kelly
Good Luck

IATCA Lead Auditor ISO 9001:2000 , AS9100 AA ISO/TS 16949 Approved