Quality Operating Procedures - Eliminating the term 'Quality'

P

piney

#1
I am in the process of implementing a brand new quality system at my company. In the past I have use terms like QOP (Quality Operating Procedures) and QSP (Quality System Procedures) to identify the quality procedures that are written according to the ISO standards.

What I would like to do this time is to use a term that does not use the word "quality" in the description in an effort to get across the point that the procedures are "Company Operating Procedures." Some individuals tend to not take procedures as seriously when they hear the word quality but step up to the plate when the word company or corporate is used.

Does anyone have suggestions on what these procedures could be called???

Thanks in advance!
 
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Randy

Super Moderator
#2
Re: Quality Operating Procedures

Yep, call them anything you think to be appropriate as long as everyone who uses them knows what you're talking about.

But why change, couldn't that cause confusion?

From my standpoint as an auditor I don't care what organizations call things as long as they control them as required and people are aware of them.
 

Stijloor

Staff member
Super Moderator
#3
Re: Quality Operating Procedures

I am in the process of implementing a brand new quality system at my company. In the past I have use terms like QOP (Quality Operating Procedures) and QSP (Quality System Procedures) to identify the quality procedures that are written according to the ISO standards.

What I would like to do this time is to use a term that does not use the word "quality" in the description in an effort to get across the point that the procedures are "Company Operating Procedures." Some individuals tend to not take procedures as seriously when they hear the word quality but step up to the plate when the word company or corporate is used.

Does anyone have suggestions on what these procedures could be called???

Thanks in advance!
If you are concerned that the word "quality" rubs people the wrong way, call them business practices. The word quality puts documents in a too narrow of a context anyway...

Stijloor.
 

GStough

Staff member
Super Moderator
#4
Re: Quality Operating Procedures

We use "Company Procedures" (CP for short) and "Work Instructions" (WI for short). Very simple and no confusion (at least none that I'm aware of)...
 

Helmut Jilling

Auditor / Consultant
#5
Re: Quality Operating Procedures

I am in the process of implementing a brand new quality system at my company. In the past I have use terms like QOP (Quality Operating Procedures) and QSP (Quality System Procedures) to identify the quality procedures that are written according to the ISO standards.

What I would like to do this time is to use a term that does not use the word "quality" in the description in an effort to get across the point that the procedures are "Company Operating Procedures." Some individuals tend to not take procedures as seriously when they hear the word quality but step up to the plate when the word company or corporate is used.

Does anyone have suggestions on what these procedures could be called???

Thanks in advance!

Just "Procedure" might be a good choice. Why make it complicated?

Procedure, Company Procedure, Instruction, Standard Operating Procedure...entirely up to you. But, I might stay with what your people call them now.

By the way, have you defined your processes yet? You should do that before you write procedures. The processes and quality manual should direct which procedures you need in the first place.
 

Jim Wynne

Staff member
Admin
#6
Re: Quality Operating Procedures

Yep, call them anything you think to be appropriate as long as everyone who uses them knows what you're talking about.

But why change, couldn't that cause confusion?

From my standpoint as an auditor I don't care what organizations call things as long as they control them as required and people are aware of them.
I'm with Randy. We spend far too much time worrying about what things are called and not nearly enough on what they actually are. If people don't take the documentation seriously because of the word "quality," there's definitely a problem that renaming something isn't going to solve.

If you must have a name, how about Process Requirements? This puts the emphasis on processes, where it belongs, and reinforces the idea that the documents are about what's required, and not about guidelines or suggestions.
 

Stijloor

Staff member
Super Moderator
#7
Re: Quality Operating Procedures

I'm with Randy. We spend far too much time worrying about what things are called and not nearly enough on what they actually are. If people don't take the documentation seriously because of the word "quality," there's definitely a problem that renaming something isn't going to solve.

If you must have a name, how about Process Requirements? This puts the emphasis on processes, where it belongs, and reinforces the idea that the documents are about what's required, and not about guidelines or suggestions.
This discussion makes me think about a simple term: "recipe", a term for a document used in the cooking business. I have never seen a discussion about "recipe." As long as the food tastes good, who cares what it's called....:D

Stijloor.
 

Le Chiffre

Quite Involved in Discussions
#8
Re: Quality Operating Procedures

I'm with Randy. We spend far too much time worrying about what things are called and not nearly enough on what they actually are. If people don't take the documentation seriously because of the word "quality," there's definitely a problem that renaming something isn't going to solve.
It may be quite subtle. I've tended to drop the word quality for exactly the reason described and it does have the effect that people take more notice as it may apply to them.
"The Management System" really catches the attention of management rather than it being delegated to just the "Quality" representative.
 

bobdoering

Stop X-bar/R Madness!!
Trusted Information Resource
#9
Re: Quality Operating Procedures

If you must have a name, how about Process Requirements? This puts the emphasis on processes, where it belongs, and reinforces the idea that the documents are about what's required, and not about guidelines or suggestions.
I like that idea.

I think there is also a perception in some places that a "quality" procedure must be for the quality department, so there is no need to read it...or care.

I'm with Randy. We spend far too much time worrying about what things are called and not nearly enough on what they actually are. If people don't take the documentation seriously because of the word "quality," there's definitely a problem that renaming something isn't going to solve.
Philosophically, I agree, but in reality concepts need to be cleverly marketed. I will use an example that will keep me from getting this booted to the controversial forum. For my classes, I ask for paper 1 1/2 pages long. Why? If I ask for a paper 2 pages long, they will believe if a period rolls over to the next page, it is "two pages". But, the students have a very hard time arguing where the half of a page is. I nearly always get longer papers. Sure, I could argue, specify and take off points, but in the mindset of picking one's battles, I have found this approach very painlessly effective. So, if pulling "quality" out of the name is an effective marketing tool, hey - the price is right!
 
S

Sam4Quality

#10
Philosophically, I agree, but in reality concepts need to be cleverly marketed. I will use an example that will keep me from getting this booted to the controversial forum. For my classes, I ask for paper 1 1/2 pages long. Why? If I ask for a paper 2 pages long, they will believe if a period rolls over to the next page, it is "two pages". But, the students have a very hard time arguing where the half of a page is. I nearly always get longer papers. Sure, I could argue, specify and take off points, but in the mindset of picking one's battles, I have found this approach very painlessly effective. So, if pulling "quality" out of the name is an effective marketing tool, hey - the price is right!
I agree with you hands down. We all are greatly aware that despite decades of understanding what quality means in industry and despite decades of teaching employees the essence of quality, the legend continues - some people still need spoon feeding, coaxing, shoving it down. So, as long as it markets and sells our product, which we are so sure will work for others, it really does not matter what package it comes in. Rich, glazing foil packed or plain naked!

Also, more often than not, process owners address even their own procedures WIHTOUT usage of abrreviations! They'd rather say "my Maintenance procedure says..." than say "my QSP400-1 procedure says..."! The abbreviations do add a certain touch of systematism, unfortunately they end up being used only by quality professionals like us than the process owners themselves! Some people donot even bother to know the elongated form of QSP; managers in my company do not know, despite quarterly orientations!

My suggestion: Keep it simple. If you can't convince them once, you have just got another opportunity to! and if like Jim Wynne mentioned 'there's definitely a problem that renaming something isn't going to solve. ', --- FIND IT!

Ciao
SAM
 
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