What is a Quality Management System (QMS)?
A Quality Management System can be seen as a complex
system consisting of all the parts and components of an organisation dealing
with the quality of processes and products. A QMS can be defined as the
managing structure, responsibilities, procedures, processes, and management resources
to implement the principles and action lines needed to achieve the quality
objectives of an organisation.
There are many definitions of a QMS (ISO 8402, 1994), but
most definitions don’t provide any more information than the words ‘quality
management system’. The definition of a QMS isevolving into a definition of
good management. It is not an addition to an organisation. It is an integral
part of its management and production.
A good QMS does not in itself make an organisation more
profitable, efficient or customer focussed, but it will give to an organisation
the ability to do anything better, from production to sales.
The history of QMS systems and the associated standards
has meant that until recently there was considerable emphasis on documentation.
Although successful in many production and assembly line environments, many
other organisations found the emphasis on documentation detracted from what the
QMS was trying to achieve. It is very easy to simply concentrate on the detail
of the documentation process. However, a modern QMS is much more than this. It
is a major contributor to helping an organisation focus on its goals – better
service to users and customers, reduction of waste and rework, helping staff in
all areas to ‘do it better’. This has been recognised by the ISO standards
body, and the objectives are reflected in the new edition of the ISO 9000
standard, due to be published at the end of year 2000.
.
The benefits of a QMS
In "Good reasons for implementing a QMS" (CERCO
SWGA, 1999), a number of direct benefits of a QMS are stated:
·
improved customer satisfaction;
·
improved quality of products and services;
·
workers’ satisfaction and more commitment to the
organisation;
·
better management and a more effective organisation;
·
improve relations with suppliers;
·
improved promotion of corporate image.
Besides these direct benefits, there are also several
indirect benefits to identify, which give opportunities to:
·
review business goals, and assess how well the
organisation is meeting those goals;
·
identify processes that
are unnecessary or inefficient, and then remove or improve them;
·
review the
organisational structure, clarifying managerial responsibilities;
·
improve internal
communication, and business and process interfaces;
·
improve staff morale by identifying the importance of
their output to the business, and by involving them in the review and
improvement of their work.
These benefits and opportunities apply to any business.
The specific benefits to NMAs can include:
·
removal of non-conformance from topographic data;
·
a faster registration of cadastral records; more
efficient map production;
·
complete and consistent land (tenure, use, cover)
records;
·
improved data and equipment supply
management.
QMS and ISO9000
The ISO 9000 standard (ISO 9001,1994) provides
comprehensive guidance on the principles, scope and implementation of a QMS.
Each NMA must decide for itself to what extent it wishes to comply with the
standard. The options are:
·
implement a QMS without reference to the standard;
·
use the principles and concepts within the standard;
·
adopt the standard and seek an ISO 9000 certificate.
Many organisations successfully adopt a QMS without an
ISO 9000 certification, relying on their internal review procedures to keep the
whole process on track. IS0 9000 certification leads to formal review and
approval of the QMS by an outside body and, more importantly, the certification
body will review the QMS every six months. Accreditation bodies are being established
in a growing number of countries, sometimes with a government mandate. Certification
bodies that fulfill the criteria of the accreditation system are duly
accredited; relevant criteria are for instance the EN 45000 series). This
independent review is very useful for identifying potential problems early, and
provides an incentive to keep the QMS current and relevant.
