Process or Departments - Document Content and Managing the Process Approach

Q

QAMTY

Hi

In managing Process approach, I find some issues
Why if the focus is process approach, why still
are departments mentioned.?
For example i have seen:
"Documents in charge of sales department" or document number related
to the Enginnering department.

Is it correct to mention departments names?
or is there some cases where should be mentioned?

Thanks for feeding me back
 

Howard Atkins

Forum Administrator
Leader
Admin
Re: Process or departments

I do not think that there is any problem.

The process approach covers activities of the company.
The use of a department is just a way of describing where the problem was found.
 
S

samsung

Re: Process or departments

Agree with Howard. A process may cut through one or more departments where someone has to own the documents and it's normally the one who has greater share of responsibility within the process.
 
Q

QAMTY

Re: Process or departments

Thanks Howard ans samsung

I see, but in this case:

Suppose I have the Engineering process, which process
is achieved by several departments (sales, Purchasing,etc)
then for Engineering documents numbering and owner,
Is it correct to refer:

The owner is the ENG process or department?
or for numbering, ENG code,
Use ENG code coming from the process or department?

Thanks for yoir help
 

John Broomfield

Leader
Super Moderator
Re: Process or departments

Thanks Howard ans samsung

I see, but in this case:

Suppose I have the Engineering process, which process
is achieved by several departments (sales, Purchasing,etc)
then for Engineering documents numbering and owner,
Is it correct to refer:

The owner is the ENG process or department?
or for numbering, ENG code,
Use ENG code coming from the process or department?

Thanks for yoir help

QAMTY,

Your process owner should be a person not a department. The process owner is the expert in how the cross-functional process works. I would however be surprised if the process owner for Engineering is not working in the engineering department.

By definition every process is cross-functional and will require the work of people in more than one department.

Agreed, departments are of limited value because the organization adds value through its processes but some disciplines (such as HR and QA) still find them useful.

ISO 9001 still refers to functions in 5.4.1 and this is an accurate reflection of the immature status of process management in most organizations.

John
 

qusys

Trusted Information Resource
Hi

In managing Process approach, I find some issues
Why if the focus is process approach, why still
are departments mentioned.?
For example i have seen:
"Documents in charge of sales department" or document number related
to the Enginnering department.

Is it correct to mention departments names?
or is there some cases where should be mentioned?

Thanks for feeding me back

Hi QAMTY,
I think it can be correct and I see no issue for this.
Take into account the the clause of document control of ISO 9001 is a cross functional one and the organization , establishing a documented procedure, set its requirements ( meeting ISO standard), cascading them across all over the QMS processes. It is clear that each dept. will embody them in its own departmental procedures. Besides, I would also like say that there are some documents concerning with othe mgmt systems as well as legal aspects. These one could be related to some specific department for several reasons and you as organization can set this in the documented procedure of document control if you believe that they are part of your QMS.
Hope this helps:bigwave:
 

Pancho

wikineer
Super Moderator
Re: Process or departments

ISO 9001 still refers to functions in 5.4.1 and this is an accurate reflection of the immature status of process management in most organizations.

:topic:

It's interesting that ISO 9000 defines most terms used in ISO 9001, but doesn't define "function". If having functions in an organization is a reflection of the immature status of process management, then why does ISO 9000 allow for a metrological function?

What is a function? How does it differ from a process? If we still need functions despite using the process approach, shouldn't they be at least defined in the standard?
 

John Broomfield

Leader
Super Moderator
Re: Process or departments

:topic:

It's interesting that ISO 9000 defines most terms used in ISO 9001, but doesn't define "function". If having functions in an organization is a reflection of the immature status of process management, then why does ISO 9000 allow for a metrological function?

What is a function? How does it differ from a process? If we still need functions despite using the process approach, shouldn't they be at least defined in the standard?

Pancho,

In organizational terms ISO 9001 specifies functions as departments or disciplines (also see 7.3.4).

I see no mention of functions in 7.6.

Process is the work whereas functions are the resources available (often in departments) to do the work.

John
 
A

ancys

It is clear, for each department. Will be reflected in the departmental procedures. In addition, I would like to say, there are some file on Chant MGMT systems as well as legal.
 

Helmut Jilling

Auditor / Consultant
Re: Process or departments

Thanks Howard ans samsung

I see, but in this case:

Suppose I have the Engineering process, which process
is achieved by several departments (sales, Purchasing,etc)
then for Engineering documents numbering and owner,
Is it correct to refer:

The owner is the ENG process or department?
or for numbering, ENG code,
Use ENG code coming from the process or department?

Thanks for yoir help

I think you are making this too complicated. You are correct, as you say -Several departments are involved in the Engineering process. But, look at it simply. They do not perform Engineering, they participate. Linkages.

For example, the purpose and function of the:

1. Sales Process is to get business, customers, orders. The primary activity is to interact with customers.

2. Engineering Process is to figure out how to do make that customer order, how to make it work well. The primary activity is to interact with their computer and the particpants in the program.

3. Purchasing Process is to acquire the materials and parts that Engineering specifies. The primary activity is to interact with suppliers.

And so on. I think you are confusing linkages with the process. Many processes and departments interact with Engineering, and share their expertise. But Engineering performs most of the process.
 
Top Bottom