Definition Quality Management System (QMS) vs. Quality Control (QC) vs. Quality Assurance (QA)

D

David McGan

#1
#1
In the interest of "Continuous Improvement", I'm considering the potential of breaking our formal Quality effort into two focused areas -- QUALITY SYSTEMS, which focuses primarily on implementation and maintenance of systems which support the overall quality improvement effort, and QUALITY CONTROL, which focuses a team on the actual on-the-floor activity defined by the System. I'd invite any insights as to what others have experienced or ideas which I might consider in this effort.
 
Download Free White Paper
Elsmar Forum Sponsor
C

Christian Lupo

#3
#3
Our system has a seperate QC and QA manager. The QC Manager/dept is responsible for acceptance and rejection of product. In ISO/QS terms section 4.10. While QA is responsible for the entire system, and has direct authority for Document and data control, internal audit system, and management review.

I do not think it is necessary to keep the two seperate in a small company.
 
D

David McGan

#5
#5
I never really looked at there being a major difference between "Quality Assurance" and "Quality Control." I suppose that what I'm considering might be construed as dividing up between a Quality System that systems are in place to "Assure" quality and one that "Controls" the process so that the ouput is quality product. In most cases, it seems that many companies use the terms interchangeably. In any event, I value the continued input of this forum to help me ferret out the best direction for our company.
 
D

David McGan

#6
#6
Christian, thanks for your input. You've raised my curiosity: in your company, you describe two separate departments, which is what I'm considering. Could you elaborate a little on what type of interaction the two departments have -- how are the areas of responsibility defined and what are they? What type of working relationship is there between the two department managers? Do both managers report to Top Management?
 
C

Christian Lupo

#7
#7
sorry for the belated response, both managers report to top management, (although in many cases I have seen QC report to QA, since QC deals with a subset of the entire QA system. The two managers have the same relationship that exists between production and QA. In fact in our company I believe the title QA manager will cease to exist, and modern quality journals see this as a trend for the future. Is it really accurate to call someone with responsibility for many systems a "quality" manager? The quality manager in our comapny is someone who is versed in everything from HR to purchasing, contract review to final inspection and everything in between. Sounds more like a CEO, plant manager, or General manager eh? Those are the skills the modern "Quality Manager" will need. The QC manager on the other hand deals only with acceptance or rejection of product (in process and final). He is responsible for testing for the physical property characteristics that the customer requires.
 
D

dhillsburg

#8
#8
Our company is organized in exactly this way. There is a "Manager of Quality Engineering" and a "Manager of Quality Systems". The QE Mngr has quality engineers working for them that are assigned to specific teams. The QS Mngr has internal auditors. As QS9000 compliance becomes reality, the need to reorganize in this fashion makes sense due to the increased resources needed to maintain the QS9000 monster. The two Quality Mngrs both report equally to top management and give monthly reviews (using policy deployment)on PPM (QE mngr) and internal audit issues/findings (QS Mngr).
 
Marc

Marc

Fully vaccinated are you?
Leader
#9
#9
Re: Quality Systems vs. Quality Control vs. Quality Assurance

Blast from the Past - Any contemporary comments?
 
G

Greg B

#10
#10
Re: Quality Systems vs. Quality Control vs. Quality Assurance

Quality Control + Quality Assurance = Quality Management System

I have had a lot of debates over this, during my years in Quality, and I'm sure I will again.
IMHO (in a simple form)

Quality Control = The measurment of our system and in its simplest form is the compliance to our agreed internal product standards or specifications either in process or post process.

Quality Asssurance = The compliance to a set standards (International, National or Company driven)

QMS = The tool that controls how we manage these control methods
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread starter Similar threads Forum Replies Date
T What is a Quality Management System? Manufacturing and Related Processes 20
O Quality Management System Implementation framework and Gap analysis checklist Manufacturing and Related Processes 7
T Quality Management System Q1 and Q2 Interpretations Misc. Quality Assurance and Business Systems Related Topics 0
Sidney Vianna Informational ISO/CD 7101 Health Care Quality Management System Standard Hospitals, Clinics & other Health Care Providers 0
C Quality Management System Question ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 32
M Unique Quality Management System for 2 sites ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 5
D Big companies suffer from quality management system? ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 1
R How would you work without a quality management system? IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 3
P Conformity assessment based on a quality management system or production quality assurance EU Medical Device Regulations 3
S Quality management system (Well head installation & maintenance) Quality Management System (QMS) Manuals 5
P How to develop executable quality management system for rookies? IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 9
M Requirement to manufacture under a quality management system EU Medical Device Regulations 4
A IATF 16949 4.3.1 - Determining the scope of the quality management system - supplemental IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 9
A Building up a global quality management system ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 2
A Building up a global quality management system 21 CFR Part 820 - US FDA Quality System Regulations (QSR) 3
T Ideas for developing a Supplier Quality Management System, non automotive ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 5
M MDR requires the NB to perform "tests in order to check that the quality management system" EU Medical Device Regulations 11
B Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) A Key Process of the Quality Management System Dec 17... Training - Internal, External, Online and Distance Learning 0
J Quality Assurance in China - Developing a quality management system for a California company Misc. Quality Assurance and Business Systems Related Topics 9
I Date of Quality Management System - Training Records ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 19
S Procedure on Privacy Policy in the ISO 13485 quality management system ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 3
T ISO 13485 8.2.5. Monitoring and measurement of quality management system processes ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 1
D Templates for Environmental, Safety and quality Management System wanted Document Control Systems, Procedures, Forms and Templates 3
B Quality Management System documentation identification Document Control Systems, Procedures, Forms and Templates 11
eule del ayre Lean Six Sigma for Quality Management System Lean in Manufacturing and Service Industries 10
L IATF 16949 Clause 9.2.2.2 Quality Management System Audit IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 9
John Predmore Explain Quality Management System (QMS) for the uninitiated ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 2
S What are you looking for in an automated quality management system? Quality Assurance and Compliance Software Tools and Solutions 8
W Can 2 different sites under different Quality System have a common management review? ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 4
J Support and guidance with supplier quality management system Supplier Quality Assurance and other Supplier Issues 1
J IATF Minimum Automotive Quality Management System Requirements for Sub-Tier Suppliers IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 12
F ISO 9001:2015 4.3 - Determining the scope of the quality management system ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 7
C IATF Cl. 9.2.2.2 Quality Management System Audit - CQI-23 Molding System Assessment IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 1
Q Thoughts on Communications relevant to the Quality Management System ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 3
Y Quality Management System Manual (Wood Manufacturing Company) Quality Management System (QMS) Manuals 4
J IATF 16949 Cl. 8.4.2.3 - Supplier Quality Management System Development IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 59
S "Quality Management System" Certificate vs. "Quality" Certificate? Other Medical Device Regulations World-Wide 2
T IATF 16949 Quality Management System (QMS) Scope Requirements IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 18
B Control Plans for Quality Management System Processes ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 2
F Regulatory Compliant Quality Management System - Bare Minimum EU Medical Device Regulations 2
J What does "effective implementation of quality management system" mean? ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 7
A Leadership Responsibility in an ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 2
J Add API Q1 & Q2 to Quality Management System Standards Oil and Gas Industry Standards and Regulations 1
M Requirements of the quality management system - TS 16949 clause 5.6.1.1 IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 1
A Quality Management System Strategy Misc. Quality Assurance and Business Systems Related Topics 15
T Guidance - Setting up an integrated quality & environmental management system Career and Occupation Discussions 12
A QMS (Quality Management System) for Logistic Agency ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 4
D Where does the QMS (Quality Management System) fit in your organization? ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 13
L Implementing a new quality management system for a new engineering company ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 4
M Heard of MS1900: 2014. Quality Management System from Islamic Perspective? Quality Manager and Management Related Issues 2

Similar threads

Top Bottom