QMS (Quality Management System) Manual - The Boss Wants a 4 Page Manual - What to Do?

[arin_23]

Re: QMS (Quality Management System) Manual - The Boss Wants a 4 Page Manual - What to

Hi buddy Hjilling!!!!

Thank you very much for the feedback. Just for knowledge sake, i want to know is there any mention of "Table of Contents" in the ISO 9001:2000 QMS????


Cheers

Arindam

 

[Britman - 2012]

Re: QMS (Quality Management System) Manual - The Boss Wants a 4 Page Manual - What to

Hi

Currently my company has a large QM and we have just pasted our audit, however during the audit I informed the assessment team leader we will be presenting a QM of 1 page long next visit, that will meet the requirements of 4.2.2., he reviewed the "proof" and agreed it will be acceptable.

I have attached a copy - any comments!

The company name has been removed as its not a working document yet.

The same document format for ISO14001 (EM) was also presented to our enviromental auditor, with core procedures combined, again this received positive comments.

 

[amanbhai]

Re: QMS (Quality Management System) Manual - The Boss Wants a 4 Page Manual - What to

Try to make a 4 page Quality Manual if your boss says so.

 

[Alex Kobzar]

Re: QMS (Quality Management System) Manual - The Boss Wants a 4 Page Manual - What to

...a QM of 1 page long...
I have attached a copy - any comments!

I agree that the 1 page QM perfectly meets requirements of ISO 9001:2000 (just in the "Scope" I would have "ISO 9001:2000(E), no exclusions").

According to the ISO 10013: 1995 the purpose of a QM may be to:

Describe your quality system.
Describe quality policy and procedures.
Define the quality standards that will be used.
Explain how quality requirements will be met.
Prove that your quality system is documented.
Control quality work practices and activities.
Teach people about your quality requirements.
Guide the implementation of your quality system.
Serve as a stable definition of your quality system.
Show that your quality system meets requirements.

It looks like that the 1 page document does not explain how the quality requirements are met.

Personally I feel very comfortable having all the standard copied/pasted in my QM along with references to the QP's for each requirement.
That is mostly to
- "guide the implementation of quality system",
- "show that quality system meets requirements" of its Scope.
In simple words: in my QM I have written answeres to any questions pertaining to the documentation of our QMS (it saves some brain work answering some questions of auditors); the QM was also to a great aid in writing of our QP's; it also demonstrates mgmt commitment to the requirements of the Scope (that formally empoweres me of asking ppl to do what the standard wants to the benefit of our Company).
Also I believe that it may be handy to keep the master copy of the quality policy in a QM.

So, what is the and who is to benefit from changing of a "big QM" to a 1 page document?

 

[Helmut Jilling]

Re: QMS (Quality Management System) Manual - The Boss Wants a 4 Page Manual - What to

Hi

Currently my company has a large QM and we have just pasted our audit, however during the audit I informed the assessment team leader we will be presenting a QM of 1 page long next visit, that will meet the requirements of 4.2.2., he reviewed the "proof" and agreed it will be acceptable.

I have attached a copy - any comments!

The company name has been removed as its not a working document yet.

The same document format for ISO14001 (EM) was also presented to our enviromental auditor, with core procedures combined, again this received positive comments.

OK, so it fits in one page. But, then we have a level one (which used to be considered the quality manual). So you have it in two documents. Others put it in one...

Why is the number of pages a goal? Is someone giving prizes? I once saw the whole Bible on a 2x2 inch microfiche.

Wow, imagine what we could do with that.

I say, let's focus on making a manual that is useful to the users, and it will be however many pages it ends up being.

 

[JaneB]

Re: QMS (Quality Management System) Manual - The Boss Wants a 4 Page Manual - What to

I say, let's focus on making a manual that is useful to the users, and it will be however many pages it ends up being.

Could not agree more.

 

[Pazuzu - 2009]

Re: QMS (Quality Management System) Manual - The Boss Wants a 4 Page Manual - What to

I have created a quality manual for our company which is 40 pages. It simply covers every element with a paragragh or so, except for Management Responsibility is covered in the manual instead of a procedure.
My superiors feel the manual should only be 3 or 4 pages long. Most of this reasoning is from different companies who have claimed to be certified.
Am I wrong in assuming a 3 or 4 page manual would not be adequate, and what exactly would be accurate?
Thanks, Dawn

That depends on your definition of a quality manual and a procedures manual. You quality manual can be of any size...ours is 1 page. All it is, is an 80,000 ft overview of what the company is and does. According to ISO (at least the 9000 series) the manual must have the scope of the QMS, documented procedures or reference to them, and a description of the interaction of the processes.

What I believe you are refering to is a Procedures manual stating what you do to produce/service what you actually produce/service. This can be of any size depending on the complexity...40 pages is quite normal...ours is 36. IMO 4-5 pages will not cut it without leaving valuable information out.

 

[Britman - 2012]

Re: QMS (Quality Management System) Manual - The Boss Wants a 4 Page Manual - What to

I agree with PAZUZU our manual is written for a practical use within a small company of 25 – 30 personnel, being based on its size, activities and competence of the employees’ - Clause 4.2.1 Note 2.

The number of pages are irrelevant my “prize”, is allowing time to focus on the processes to meet our customer requirements, albeit product or services.

The Quality Manual is not the primary method of achieving requirements it’s a combination with the system processes

ISO has clearly identified the 3 main clauses in 4.2.2, Scope, documented procedures or reference to them and the interaction of elements within the QMS.

ISO clause 4.2.1 (b) has listed the Quality Manual as a stand-alone part of the QMS documentation.

The manual addresses the main “overview” visually showing the process-based QMS model and Scope. I have few customers who require to see our manual, they ask for our certification.

For training personnel who are not “quality people” It will be a very efficient method to show links between segments of ISO 9001:2000, enabling them to identify the procedures / work instruction need for their functions.

Issue release will control the “Quality Manual”, objective being no further changes once issued (defined in procedure – Document control), this will be useful as I’m the only “Qualified Quality” employee.

Level 2 documentation will define the details to achieve “customer expectations” – through responsibilities, controls & activities.

I have attached a procedure – QEP 01 – Management Responsibility to demonstrate the next level of commitment to “customer requirements”; this section refers to the Quality Policy & Objectives.

My core time and money is focusing on the system part of the QMS, keeping the “QM” simple, clear and concise.

I would like to see some of the other 1 to 5 page manuals raised by members who voted last look about 6%

 

[Pazuzu - 2009]

Re: QMS (Quality Management System) Manual - The Boss Wants a 4 Page Manual - What to

I agree with PAZUZU our manual is written for a practical use within a small company of 25 – 30 personnel, being based on its size, activities and competence of the employees’ - Clause 4.2.1 Note 2.

Britman, thank you and thank you for that attachment!! That's exactly the sort of things I'm in the hunt for!! You just made my life a litle bit easier!!

 

[Stijloor]

Re: QMS (Quality Management System) Manual - The Boss Wants a 4 Page Manual - What to

I view the Quality Manual as a "glorified business card" stating what you want the world (existing and future Customers) to know about your quality system. It provides a first impression of your organization and should represent your company well. The number of pages is irrelevant. Whatever is necessary to get the message across.

Stijloor.