How and When to Update a Company Quality Policy

[vanputten]

Knowing how and when to update a policy is not "improvement?"

I stick by my feedback, even asking us how and when to "update" the policy is a mis-directed question. The organiation should determine that for themselves.

Anyone in my organization can submit a change via an Engineering Change Notification (ECN). The ECN may or may not be approved but that is the structure we argreed upon internally because our policy is a document that is controlled through our formnal document control system.

When, how, why, who, questions for a Quality Policy should be answered internally by the owning organization.

Regards,

Dirk

 

[al40]

Good point! Furthermore, this represents a great opportunity to engage your management and have them understand the relevance of the policy to the business and market position. I'd strongly suggest that you don't rewrite it nor have us offer suggestions for reasons already posted. Rarely in companies is it proper for anyone but management to set policy. Especially since you're new to the organization. It could be a career limiting move!

Sure, many lower placed individuals have written a quality policy, but that doesn't make it right. Management might endorse it without truely understanding what they are signing up for.

I recommend that you set a meeting with them, outlining the agenda and deliverables. Set a reasonable timeframe and timing. Get them to attend and, drive them to setting and agreeing policy and objectives. Ensure they are linked to the business performance metrics they are focused on. Beware of having them set overly agressive policy/objective statements like 'zero defects', 'exceeding customer expectations' etc.

Good job Andy,

MY President and VP have taken ownership of our quality policy and it's paid off in more ways than one.

By the leaders in the company owning and setting the quality policy they then drive it down throughout the organization and support it more, I have seen the president asking employess about our policy and quizing them on how it effects their job and day to day activites.

Best regards,

Al40

 

[AndyN]

Good job Andy,

MY President and VP have taken ownership of our quality policy and it's paid off in more ways than one.

By the leaders in the company owning and setting the quality policy they then drive it down throughout the organization and support it more, I have seen the president asking employess about our policy and quizing them on how it effects their job and day to day activites.

Best regards,

Al40

I found it quite illuminating to watch a 'top' manager and their team ponder over policy. It really did make them understand the conceptual linkage between what the customer 'perceived' of them and their 'vision' for themselves..........

Fortunately, I was able to help them, since I'd been a customer..............