Any requirement that the Quality Policy copies posted in facilities must be signed?

[SteelMaiden]

but how do you make sure that it is from management if it is not signed? and how do you control it?

Are you talking about documents on the intranet for your control question? Typically intranet documents would be controlled through the use of system permission groups (for the ability to actually make changes) and possibly some printing permissions.

How do "I" make sure that our quality policy is from management? Because my approval records show the name of the approver as "capured" via the computer log on, and also the fact that each management review starts with the question "does anyone feel that we need to revise our quality policy, or is it still applicable as written and documented in our quality manual?"

Good questions. There are also several threads out there that discuss permissions/control of documentation if you are interested. A search should net you some good results, and there are also related threads shown at the bottom of each page within threads.

 

[Claes Gefvenberg]

but how do you make sure that it is from management if it is not signed? and how do you control it?

Fair question. In several ways: I keep an original signed by the site mgr, the approval is noted in the Management Review records and it can be found in our (controlled) Manual.

/Claes

 

[RoxaneB]

but how do you make sure that it is from management if it is not signed? and how do you control it?

Treat the Quality Policy or any other job aid as you do with your work instructions and procedures. How do you control them? The simplest ways include:

• They are identified as controlled copies (i.e., valid, legit) via a non-black ink stamp to which only authorized people have access to.
• Record the locations of all hard copies of a document.
• In tiny font, include the rev number or some other piece of unique identification.

Signed copies are great, but still show minimal effort to control. After all, if QP#1 is signed and then QP#2 is developed and signed, how do we know if we are looking at QP#1 or QP#2 on the wall?

 

[Gerry Quinn]

I must be really lax in this area. I don't really care if the policy is signed or unsigned. I just want it to exist and be understood by the employer and employees.
So I ask to see the policy and then I investigate to verify that its current and understood.
Hopefully, if I'm lucky it will say something about quality.
Too many times the policy is some kind of sales mush that doesn't mean much with respect to quality anyway.

 

[SteelMaiden]

Good job, Gerry!

if everyone pretty much has the same general feeling about what the quality policy states, it seems as though it has been communicated. if it is communicated, it would seem that upper management is aware of it and approves, otherwise, wouldn't they put a stop to it?

 

[Denis9001 - 2007]

Not it doesn't have to be signed but it does have to be approved. So the question is how do you evidence it has been approved. The simple way out is to have a signed master and then use the text without signature. But make sure the copy can be tracked to the original. More's the problem is...if you have new management how do we know the policy is still applicable. Maybe the new manager doesn't endorse the policy. So new management should review the policy asap.

 

[Patricia Ravanello]

Just sign it....The Management Team

Just a suggestion...

I recommend to my customers that they sign the Policy Statement with the words...."The Management Team"...thereby satisfying those that want to see a signature and at the same time precluding the need to edit the document every time management members change.

Control and review is still maintained through Document Control...so you can go to your controlled documents to see who the current reviewers and approvers of the document are.

This approach seems to keep everyone happy...saves valuable time, and reduces expenses.

Patricia

 

[David Hartman]

I believe that it has to be signed and time-stamped by both the company executive and a licensed notary public.

Actually, not to pirate the thread, but the thought just occured to me: Isn't a "Quality Policy" statement merely a company slogan (see Deming's point slogans)?

 

[DavidYu]

but how do you make sure that it is from management if it is not signed? and how do you control it?

We put the Quality Policy upto Quality Manual. The manual goes thru company's doc control procedure and is required to be approved by CEO whenever revised. So once CEO approve QM, it also means the quality police is also signed up. FYI !!

 

[DavidYu]

Quality Policy --> Quality Goals

Besides of the isuue of signing on Q.P., I'd also like to highlight one point which is often missed.
Did you check your quality goals? How did you define them? Is there a clear mapping btw Q.G. and Q.P.?