Quality Policy - Add to it for conformance to the standard?

[tsparks]

We are transitioning from QS to ISO, our current policy is this:
"Quality People, Processes, Productivity, and Product"

Our auditor stated we could use this as the base of the policy but needed to add to it for conformance to the standard. The reason we would use this as the base is the fact it is on every control plan on the floor - that is how the previous manager integrated it to the associates on the production floor. Our auditor stated rather than have to reprint all of those, simply use it as a base and then place the new "full" version in our QM.

I'm thinking to add -"Achieved through continuous improvement and comittment to meeting customer needs and expectations."

any thoughts - I'm winging this here....thanks !!!

 

[fuzzy]

Nit Pick

Change it to "continual" and you'll conform to the standard better. The addition works in meeting the requirements. How have you connected this policy to quality objectives previously?

 

[scott31]

"Quality People, Processes, Productivity, and Product"

Maybe in your quality manual you can do something like this:

Quality People

Idented quality policy statement as it pertains to the
personnel

Quality Processes

Idented quality policy statement as it pertains to the
processes

Quality Productivity

Idented quality policy statement as it pertains to the
production

Quality Product

Idented quality policy statement as it pertains to the
products

Then in each little policy statement you can add the cool buzzwords like "continuous improvement".

Then you can even build off of these statements and expand what they mean even further and use them as Quality Objectives (i.e., 5.3 part c "provides a framework for establishing and reviewing quality objectives").

 

[AndyN]

You could be headed down the wrong path.......

and you could get into bigger problems.:mg:

Firstly, your policy is supposed to provide a framework for establishing objectives.......yes, you might be ok there.

It is supposed to include a commitment to comply with requirements and continual improvement. No, you need work on that one.

Ask yourself this - what does your Management think of this policy. They should have crafted this one, under guidance. Did they agree with the last one?

The fact that it's on control plans is not a big deal, just let the folks know they can use that to 'talk to' the policy if they get asked.

Andy

 

[scott31]

To be perfectly honest with you, there is a fine line between a policy and a paragraph. The whole idea of a quality policy seems unimportant. I know you can make the arguement that the QMS is suppose to be built off the idea of what the quality policy tries to portray, but to have to put the required "pad" statements in their seems insincere! If the quality policy reflected the companies philosophy rather than how it is worded, wouldn't it be more apt to be followed. I'm not sure how that would be going down the wrong road!

It should be a matter of what you believe in rather than compliance. The quality policy is the beginning and getting off to a bad start.................!

 

[Marc]

Here are several Quality Policy discussion threads you might want to browse.

Here are a number of Quality Policy Examples.

 

[tsparks]

Thanks for the feedback !!

Fuzzy - admittingly - we have not connected these well in the past to objectives. I'm having a hard time seeing how to connect "quality people" to an objective, the rest I feel we have and can connect.

Scott31 - like the idea of the indented policy statement and building on the base statement.

AndyN - the original policy was crafted by management and they don't really wish to change it. But in order to comply we need to elaborate more with it. I'm not one for canned phrases, but it seems that is what my auditor is looking for in order to comply.


My plan is to have suggestions ready to review with management and show how we can connect these with objectives - then go from there. We will decide collectively as a group the direction we will go.

 

[scott31]

I'm having a hard time seeing how to connect "quality people" to an objective, the rest I feel we have and can connect.

How about something like this:

Think of it like this: What does a company need to do in order to have Quality Personnel? What's your blueprint for the employees (including management):

Training -> Industry Knowledge -> Customer focus ->
-> Aware of Company Policy/Objectives

Now if those are the types of expectations for your personnel you need to expound upon them withing the QMS:

1. Define expectations (Quality policy -> objectives)
2. Methodologies to meet the expectations (Procedure)
3. Convey Methodologies (Training)
4. Re-assessments (Review)

I always use this as a model:

Philosophy -> Think/Create -> Convey -> Re-assess

The most important one is "philosophy", a goal or requirement should be used sparingly when pertaining to the companies Policy.

 

[waderl]

Does our quality policy cover all of the stanard?

QUALITY POLICY

XXXXXX quality policy is to provide timely accurate documented calibration services of the highest possible standards, to satisfy our customer’s needs, expectations of quality, safety, reliability and service. It must be clearly understood that we will not allow quality to take second place behind cost or schedule. All employees have the right to question their supervisors’ decisions or actions if they feel that quality is being compromised.
Our journey is Total Quality Management, fully satisfying our customer’s requirements through a process of continuous improvement of a well documented and effective Quality Assurance System which complies with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 9001.

Just a small calibration lab preparing for inital audit. Thanks for your input.

 

[fuzzy]

That's a mouthful!!!

My first reaction is that this is very long, complex, and somewhat repetitive for a QP. It might be easy to summarize some themes / objectives out of this policy that will allow you to develop meaningful metrics but...if the QP is simpler then it becomes very easy for all to remember and connect to their jobs, as well as the objectives.

Try to boil this down to the core themes without the "Mission Statement" type pledges / aspirations. As an auditor I would love to audit the current version because I see an opportunity to use my findings to drive the organization to truely translate the QP into goals / objectives / metrics suitable to your business. That's what it's all about to me; the QP should make those connections.