New QA Manager - Top Management is Divided - Between a rock and a hard place

[just67horns]

Re: Between a rock and a hard place, QA Manager

I do not think he wishes to be a champion. He may be, as I, trying to do what his boss has told him to do.

I think I need to be the champion, or fail trying.

 

[Wes Bucey]

Re: Between a rock and a hard place, QA Manager

I do not think he wishes to be a champion. He may be, as I, trying to do what his boss has told him to do.

I think I need to be the champion, or fail trying.

In the jargon of Quality, a "champion" must have some power and authority as well as access to higher level managers up to the Board of Directors and stockholders.

By your admission, you lack both authority AND access. A sad truth!

 

[Craig H.]

Re: Between a rock and a hard place, QA Manager

Ah, but this may be a problem. I think you can't do this by yourself, but unless you show that you can help someone else earn a gold star, or MAKE THEIR LIFE EASIER, you will be like an unapproachable and unappreciated island.

I "shouted" the making life easier part because, from your earlier posts it seems like this may be where you can have a real impact. If you can, pick an area/process where application of some Quality magic will streamline things. At the same time, try to quantify how much the company is saved by doing this. Offer your help to the owner/process manager. Then, toot the manager/process owner's horn when there is a positive impact.

If you are crafty, you can "corner" a manager into letting you help. For example you could ask "Hey, George Partsassemblerforeman, how are you?" when something is obviously hurried or not going well. George will likely unload on you. After the smoke stops erupting from his ears, offer to help figure out a better way. There is no way he can refuse without looking stupid.

So, maybe you can be a champion, but it might be best to be an invisible one, at first.

Just my two centavos.

 

[Wes Bucey]

Re: Between a rock and a hard place, QA Manager

Ah, but this may be a problem. I think you can't do this by yourself, but unless you show that you can help someone else earn a gold star, or MAKE THEIR LIFE EASIER, you will be like an unapproachable and unappreciated island.

I "shouted" the making life easier part because, from your earlier posts it seems like this may be where you can have a real impact. If you can, pick an area/process where application of some Quality magic will streamline things. At the same time, try to quantify how much the company is saved by doing this. Offer your help to the owner/process manager. Then, toot the manager/process owner's horn when there is a positive impact.

If you are crafty, you can "corner" a manager into letting you help. For example you could ask "Hey, George Partsassemblerforeman, how are you?" when something is obviously hurried or not going well. George will likely unload on you. After the smoke stops erupting from his ears, offer to help figure out a better way. There is no way he can refuse without looking stupid.

So, maybe you can be a champion, but it might be best to be an invisible one, at first.

Just my two centavos.

Craig, our Georgia peach, is on the right track! You may have to make it so attractive and addictive for your target "champion" that he will be a champion in fact just to get another "fix."

 

[gpainter]

Sounds like a questionable company? How long have you been there? I too am fairly new to QM. I try to teach everyone to make the QMS their system and i have told them that if it becomes my QMS, then they will have to make me president!

 

[Nette]

Oh wow! You could be me. Its like reading about myself.

I have had a very bad week where I have been told to just do it, get something down that looks right and thats it.

It is very disappointing when you know how much work is involved even doing something that is just to get a certificate on the wall.

No matter how much I tell them how good it will be for the business in improving our processes, saving money, etc and that whilst it might be difficult to start with as we improve it will get easier no-one listens to me. I have not seen our CEO for over a month.

It is that bad that despite having finally made it to Quality Manager I am ready to jack in and have a total career change.

Sorry for whinging but you are not alone.

 

[Coury Ferguson]

It is that bad that despite having finally made it to Quality Manager I am ready to jack in and have a total career change.
.

Now why would you want to consider a career change? These issues are part of the norm of being a QM, so don't get Hang in there.

 

[Nette]

I have worked very hard to get here. (I'm not saying I am unique in that because I am sure everyone else has).

I am just feeling disapointed because it isn't what I expected. Maybe I'm too naive.

Still as they say tomorrow is another day!

 

[just67horns]

I could make someone else the champion, and in some ways we have. But, the problem is that the leadership to encourage improvement is very weak. My boss tries, but does not communicate well. It seems good relations with the employees are not allowed. They might give us a raise if they liked us. So, the phony certificate hangs on the wall (or the catalog cover) and the separation between managment and staff stays wide.

With our internal auditors working for me, I know where the problem lies. But the lack of resources, weak leadership, management by intimidation continue. Right now, the head of engineering, and sales are away on business, the head of finance took two weeks off, the general manager is on vacation, and no one has clearly been left in charge. The Production manager quit 2 weeks ago. I guess the production supervisor is in charge. She's been here 21 years!

I don't know, when your management goes away, do they leave a note saying so and so is in charge while I'm away?

Four weeks to the audit, lots of work to do (MY boss has had 2 open cars for months!) and I guess I have to shove this pig through the audit knot-hole!

 

[Coury Ferguson]

I have worked very hard to get here. (I'm not saying I am unique in that because I am sure everyone else has).

I am just feeling disapointed because it isn't what I expected. Maybe I'm too naive.

Still as they say tomorrow is another day!

I wouldn't say naive. How long have you been in the QAM position? I noticed in your profile you say you are a SQA Engineer.