Improving quality in organisations

Different Quality Systems or procedures are used to attempt to improve the standard in the organisation.

Quality Circles are good ways to improve. They are when you have different people from different levels in the organisation and from different departments coming together to solve problems.

These groups are normally very small and they offer suggestions to improve the working process or the product/service being offered.

It has a major positive impact on staff morale as employees feel valued and consulted.

BSI - the British Standards Institution is famous for the Kitemark quality seal. This gives products the stamp of approval. It aims to promote quality at all stages of production.

Benchmarking is when you find a Best Practice and then go about copying or emulating it. It may end up seeing the imitator outperforming the original benchmark. Though it is wise to remember that they are copying something that could be out of date by the time it is ready for market.

Also by setting targets that motivates staff. Think of your own target setting in Higher Business Management!

TQM or Total Quality Management involves what is called a Quality Chain - everyone being treated as a customer along the production line.

It thrives and encourages teamwork. Every person in the organisation has a remit for improving quality.

This ties in with the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen or continuous improvement, something you should think about with regards to your studies!

Training & Development - Investors in People - if you invest in your workers/employees then they will gain more skills and the end product should become better. Less waste and an increase in efficiency would be seen also.

Better Raw Materials - GIGO or Garbage In, Garbage Out. In other words, the better the materials you buy in from your suppliers, then the better the end product will be. Look at Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares. He is always banging on about good local produce and if your starting ingredients are of good quality it will help the diner's experiences and of course your reputation!