Beginner's Guide to Quality Control tag:beginnersguide.com,2007:/quality-control//16 2006-08-07T14:21:35Z Quality Control Movable Type 3.35 What are the benefits of Benchmarking? tag:beginnersguide.com,2005:/quality-control//16.14485 2005-12-02T10:43:07Z 2006-01-03T19:58:15Z Successful benchmarking, where weaknesses in performance are improved, results in significant benefits. There are changes in performance and innovation, improvement in quality and productivity, and improved performance measurement. Benchmarking can also positively affect the viewpoint needed to support continuous improvement.... John Successful benchmarking, where weaknesses in performance are improved, results in significant benefits. There are changes in performance and innovation, improvement in quality and productivity, and improved performance measurement.

Benchmarking can also positively affect the viewpoint needed to support continuous improvement.


  • Benchmarking can raise the attentiveness to performance and create a greater openness about strengths and weaknesses.
  • Benchmarking facilitates learning from others and generates greater confidence in developing and applying new methods.
  • Benchmarking provides better involvement and motivates staff as programs change.
  • Benchmarking increases the willingness to communicate solutions to common problems and creates a sense of teamwork about what is needed to adapt to change.
  • Benchmarking provides a better understanding of the overall view and helps an organization gain a comprehensive perspective of the interaction of the features that facilitate the execution of good practice.
  • Benchmarking increases the relationship and understanding of the communication within and between organizations.

Benchmarking is a powerful management tool because it overcomes paradigm blindness. Paradigm blindness can be summed up as the mode of thinking, "The way we do it is the best because this is the way we've always done it." Benchmarking opens organizations to new methods, ideas and tools to improve their effectiveness. It helps crack through resistance to change by demonstrating other methods of solving problems than the one currently employed, and establising that they work, because they are being used by others.

]]> What is Total Quality Management? tag:beginnersguide.com,2005:/quality-control//16.14509 2005-12-02T11:32:01Z 2006-01-03T19:58:16Z As a business leader or owner it?s likely that you?re constantly searching for ways in which to streamline the production of your goods or services and gain a competitive edge over other businesses in your market. Potentially, at least, the... John As a business leader or owner it?s likely that you?re constantly searching for ways in which to streamline the production of your goods or services and gain a competitive edge over other businesses in your market. Potentially, at least, the philosophy of total quality management (TQM) can help you reach both of those goals. Rather than a single management process, TQM is a business philosophy that combines elements of statistical analysis and process review in which all employees play a role. Developed initially by statistician Dr. W. Edwards Deming, TQM has evolved from its 1940?s form into a philosophy of business management that is applicable to almost any type of business.

In theory, at least, a TQM system focuses the entire workforce of a business on several key aspects of production and service. It?s not unusual, of course, for businesses to document the needs and wants of their customers. However, in a TQM system that approach is modified slightly; not only does the business identify its customers desires, but it also documents the ways in which customers use the products of the business. The review of internal processes is also important within a TQM system. Methods are established for the constant monitoring, evaluating and updating of every imaginable process within a business, and processes that consistently work are made capable of repetition. Constant employee training is another common attribute of TQM systems, for as a business philosophy, TQM flattens the decision-making structure of a business. Many of the process decisions are thus frequently made at non-management levels, so it?s important that employees receive the training necessary to make such decisions.

]]> How could my business benefit from a Total Quality Management approach? tag:beginnersguide.com,2005:/quality-control//16.14510 2005-12-02T11:33:02Z 2006-01-03T19:58:16Z In contemporary business circles, it’s no longer uncommon for businesses in various fields to develop quality management systems, either for their own internal purposes or in hopes of receiving International Organization of Standards certification. Often, however, those quality management systems... John In contemporary business circles, it’s no longer uncommon for businesses in various fields to develop quality management systems, either for their own internal purposes or in hopes of receiving International Organization of Standards certification. Often, however, those quality management systems restrict themselves primarily to the production process. In contrast, the implementation of a TQM approach allows businesses the opportunity to identify, monitor and improve a wider spectrum of internal processes. Some other potential benefits include:

  • Change in focus: There are two components to this benefit. First, the TQM philosophy refocuses businesses on their customers; constant reviews of customer needs and customer product usage ensures that the business consistently produces valued goods or services. Additionally, since TQM grants greater decision-making power to lower-tier employees, executives are often able to focus on external issues rather than internal process problems.

  • Improved efficiency: As a business philosophy, TQM stresses the need for constant review of business procedures, whether those procedures involve stage two of widget production or the type of contractor used for the installation of an access control system. If conducted properly the constant procedure assessments, coupled with a willingness to make necessary improvements, should result in a business that operates as efficiently as possible.

  • Better work environment: Although businesses utilize the TQM approach in different ways, most businesses who engage in TQM choose to have as many decisions as possible made at the lowest possible level. Assuming that, after the requisite training, you’re comfortable with that approach, your lower-level employees will relieve your middle-management and executive employees of certain responsibilities. The newly empowered employees will, at least in many cases, make the types of decisions that strengthen ties to your business and increase employee pride and performance.

]]> How can I implement a Total Quality Management approach within my business? tag:beginnersguide.com,2005:/quality-control//16.14511 2005-12-02T11:34:11Z 2006-01-03T19:58:16Z It’s important to remember that TQM isn’t a one-size-fits-all tool kit that produces exactly the same results in any company that adopts the approach. In other words, while you may learn the basics of process sampling by perusing the work... John It’s important to remember that TQM isn’t a one-size-fits-all tool kit that produces exactly the same results in any company that adopts the approach. In other words, while you may learn the basics of process sampling by perusing the work of Deming and other statisticians, the implementation of a TQM approach will require a great deal of preparation and planning on your part. Specific implementation procedures fall outside the confines of this brief article, but some general considerations should include:

  • Meshing TQM with your business vision: Before you rush headlong into the systematic and significant changes that accompany the adoption of a TQM approach, you should revisit your vision for your business. What exactly is that vision, and how can you use TQM principles to help your business realize that vision?

  • Customer identification: One of the key principles of TQM is customer focus. You’ll want to establish parameters that define your customer base so that you can accurately gauge the desires of those customers. Additionally, you’ll develop procedures that offer you the opportunity to determine precisely how your customers use those products.

  • Creation of a TQM tool kit: Businesses use a number of tools within a TQM approach. Tools as varied as employee surveys and flowcharts are utilized in order to effect the wholesale changes demanded by a business engaged in TQM, so it’s important that you identify tools that you and your employees can use in order to build teamwork and achieve consistent excellence in all facets of your business.

  • Commitment to sustained training: Because a TQM approach attempts to distribute the testing and decision-making processes among a greater number of employees, the adoption of the TQM philosophy means that some of your employees will take on new responsibilities and make decisions that they haven’t previously faced. Training for those new responsibilities should thus begin before a TQM approach is even adopted, and your desire for continuous improvement of your business means that employee training will require frequent updates.

]]> What problems might I encounter if I attempt to implement a Total Quality Management approach? tag:beginnersguide.com,2005:/quality-control//16.14512 2005-12-02T11:35:53Z 2006-01-03T19:58:16Z Each business, of course, is quite different in its vision and approach, and TQM in general is an intense and highly dynamic approach to business. As a result of the above it’s difficult to predict the specific problems you may... John Each business, of course, is quite different in its vision and approach, and TQM in general is an intense and highly dynamic approach to business. As a result of the above it’s difficult to predict the specific problems you may face, but you should be aware of certain general issues that cause the failure of TQM implementation:

  • Expense: Particularly if a business hasn’t previously adopted some sort of quality management system, the adoption of a TQM approach will often result in profound changes in the way an organization handles its business. In conjunction with other changes, the development of new internal processes, employee realignment and training may prove cost prohibitive.

  • Customer identification: There are business markets in which it’s extraordinarily easy to precisely define the customers of a business. However, in some cases a business may find it difficult to accurately identify its principal customers. Given the importance of customer identification and satisfaction within the TQM approach, the lack of an appropriate customer identification and satisfaction measure may make it difficult to successfully implement TQM in your business.

  • Disgruntled employees: As mentioned previously, many lower-level employees will experience greater job satisfaction through a TQM approach because of increased responsibility. However, the dissolution of a normal hierarchy-based structure may leave mid-level employees with a sense that they’ve lost power. Assuming that you believe that those mid-level employees are important to your continued success, it’s therefore important that you find new ways to empower those employees.

]]> Should I implement a Total Quality Management approach within my business? tag:beginnersguide.com,2005:/quality-control//16.14513 2005-12-02T11:37:10Z 2006-01-03T19:58:16Z Your personal business vision and resources should dictate the answer to that question. Within this article you’ve been introduced to the general approach of TQM and, at least hopefully, familiarized yourself with some of its potential benefits for your company.... John Your personal business vision and resources should dictate the answer to that question. Within this article you’ve been introduced to the general approach of TQM and, at least hopefully, familiarized yourself with some of its potential benefits for your company. However, the dynamic nature of TQM and the depth of the changes it necessitates for many companies should cause you to weigh whether it’s appropriate for your business. As you consider the implementation of a TQM program within your business, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Am I willing to invest the time and resources necessary to implement a TQM system within my business? The development, introduction and implementation of a TQM philosophy is time consuming and expensive. Assuming that your business possesses the necessary resources, you should weigh the expenditure of those resources against the potential improvements in your efficiency, products and customer satisfaction.

  • Can both I and my business maintain a commitment to TQM once it’s implemented? The development and implementation of a TQM program loses much of its power if that program stagnates. Stagnation could result from employee indifference or lack of sustained employee education, so you should determine whether you’re capable of maintaining employee interest, education and dedication to the standards you establish within your TQM approach.

  • Can I implement TQM procedures for the right reasons? TQM initiatives often result in increased employee participation, satisfaction and productivity. However, you shouldn’t view TQM as no more than a button you push in order to increase the productivity of your workers. TQM is about excellence in all areas of your business, so you’ll probably be disappointed if your only goal is to increase employee productivity.

]]> What is Process Control? tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/quality-control//16.17837 2006-01-18T21:15:10Z 2006-01-18T21:15:51Z Over the past few decades it has become increasingly common for businesses to implement product quality control systems. Regardless of the type of product or service the company chooses to offer, those products or services are repeatedly subjected to testing... John Over the past few decades it has become increasingly common for businesses to implement product quality control systems. Regardless of the type of product or service the company chooses to offer, those products or services are repeatedly subjected to testing in order to ensure that an acceptable level of quality is consistently realized. It is hoped that such product/service testing will increase profitability due to increased customer satisfaction. In general, however, quality control includes only the establishment of standards for the products or services themselves, while the actual methods used for the creation of those goods or services remain unexamined – hence the need for the development of a system for the creation, monitoring and assessment of the processes that create the finished products of a business.


Originally, engineers developed process control methodology as a means of monitoring processes used in engineering projects. Processes were monitored, variables noted, and reengineering methods created in order to identify flaws and reduce variation among products. Whether or not they’re aware of it, all business owners also use certain processes in order to create goods or provide services. Process control in business applications thus involves the identification of those processes used by a business in their standard work projects. After the specific processes for each business task are identified, process control systems help businesses create guidelines for future processes that, ideally, aid employees in their efforts to create valued goods and services.

]]> What are the benefits of Process Control? tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/quality-control//16.17838 2006-01-18T21:16:01Z 2006-01-18T21:16:40Z Two obvious benefits spring instantly to mind. First, and perhaps foremost, is increased customer satisfaction. Monitoring your business processes and implementing a system for the identification and revision of faulty processes should allow your business to increase efficiency and productivity.... John Two obvious benefits spring instantly to mind. First, and perhaps foremost, is increased customer satisfaction. Monitoring your business processes and implementing a system for the identification and revision of faulty processes should allow your business to increase efficiency and productivity. Moreover, the removal of faulty or unnecessary processes will result in the production of fewer flawed goods or services. Consequently, your clients are more likely to receive their requested products in a timely fashion. Second, your profit margin should increase. Not only will you experience greater profits because of satisfied customers, but the removal of unnecessary processes reduces overhead and further boosts profits. Additional benefits should include:


• Customer-tailored processes: For those businesses that create a standard product for a general clientele, this benefit may not apply. However, many businesses that offer specific services to clients quickly discover that the processes used for one client’s task may not apply for other clients. Unfortunately, however, if your employees don’t have clear guidelines for the performance of each process, it’s likely that they’ll simply use past processes during the production of new goods or services. Reviewing the necessary processes for each new client can thus operate to guarantee that the proper procedures are in each place for each of your clients.


• Happier employees: A common complaint of employees is a lack of understanding about their particular role within a business process. Quite simply, they simply don’t know exactly what to do in a given situation. As a result, employees from different departments may approach problems differently, which increases the probability of a flawed product. Because it gives employees precise directions about their role in the processes of your business, a good process control system removes that worry from your employees by clarifying their roles.


• Increased teamwork: If your business uses a product quality control system, but lacks any method of process control, it’s entirely likely that your production employees will resent your quality control employees. In contrast, if your production employees are made part of the quality control process through the application of process control, those two areas of your business can work together as a team.

]]> How can I implement a Process Control system within my business? tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/quality-control//16.17839 2006-01-18T21:16:46Z 2006-01-18T21:17:26Z If you decide that a process control system would improve your business, you should make every effort to instill in your employees the understanding that process control requires dedication at every level of your business. If your business is extremely... John If you decide that a process control system would improve your business, you should make every effort to instill in your employees the understanding that process control requires dedication at every level of your business. If your business is extremely small that may require only a little time, but in a large business it’s entirely possible that dozens of employees will find themselves involved in the monitoring or revising of your business processes. Large chunks of data must be collected, analyzed and channeled, so it’s important that everyone buys into the process. Your business may require specific process revisions as part you implement process control, but some other general steps include:


• Task assessment: If your business performs the same service, but in slightly different ways, for multiple customers, you’ll want to establish a system for the assessment of the needs of your various accounts. How do those various projects differ, and what processes are most appropriate for those projects?


• Process specifics: How exactly should processes within a particular project function? It’s here that you’ll establish the guidelines that provide you and your employees with specifics about how to create exactly the product your client has requested.


• Process monitoring: How can you and your employees monitor those chosen processes for error or variation from the established process model? Additionally, how will the results of your process monitoring be reported to the necessary employees within your business?


• Process revision: This is a very important step. Assuming that you create processes that result in improved efficiency and better products – and that your employees can easily use – how can you establish channels of communication that ensure that information about process failures reaches the right ears? Furthermore, you’ll want to create guidelines for the use of that information – constant process monitoring and reporting does your business little good if the information isn’t used to improve fault processes.

]]> What common problems do businesses experience during the implementation of a Process Control system? tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/quality-control//16.17840 2006-01-18T21:17:36Z 2006-01-18T21:18:18Z There are, of course, a number of business-specific problems that can plague the implementation of a process control system. You may, for instance, have difficulty creating a process control system that accounts for the number or abilities of your employees.... John There are, of course, a number of business-specific problems that can plague the implementation of a process control system. You may, for instance, have difficulty creating a process control system that accounts for the number or abilities of your employees. Alternatively, you might find it difficult to store and utilize the data you collect during process monitoring. Potentially, at least, either of those two problems could be solved through the use of process control software, or through the retention of a process control provider. Some general implementation problems may also include:


• Lack of employer commitment: As noted above, it’s extremely important that the importance of process control is preached throughout the entirety of your business. In order for process control to work, every level of your business needs to buy in, and that type of dedication starts with you and your top-level employees.


• Lack of employee enthusiasm: Closely connected to the level of employer commitment is the presence or lack of employee enthusiasm about the implementation of a process control system. It’s easy to understand why some employees might be disillusioned by the implementation of such a system because, at least initially, it may only be viewed as additional work. It’s therefore important that you discuss process control with your employees before its implementation. If implemented properly process control should actually result in less work for your employees, because most jobs will be done correctly the very first time.


• Communication problems: It’s crucial that employees throughout your business are able to effectively communicate the things that they discover as they monitor and revise your business processes. Regardless of the specificity of your procedure guidelines, process control won’t succeed if you fail to establish channels for the communication of that vital information.

]]> Is help available as I try to implement a Process Control program within my business? tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/quality-control//16.17841 2006-01-18T21:18:26Z 2006-01-18T21:18:52Z As you explore the possibility of implementing a process control system within your business, you may in fact determine that your business easily lends itself to in-house implementation. Especially in cases where a business is small and uses only a... John As you explore the possibility of implementing a process control system within your business, you may in fact determine that your business easily lends itself to in-house implementation. Especially in cases where a business is small and uses only a few processes to create its goods or services, process control may include only an increased awareness of those processes and a willingness to monitor and revise them as necessary. If that’s not the case, however, there is help available in various forms.


With the continued growth of interest in process control, a number of software applications have been developed that ease the input of copious amounts of data and, depending upon your business, may also aid you in the monitoring process. There are a number of software packages available to business owners, so make sure you choose one that is at least relatively intuitive and scalable to the size of your business. There are also a number of companies that specialize in the assessment of process control issues. If you’re comfortable with another company closely analyzing your business, such process control providers can help you develop a process control system for your company, revise your current system, and choose process control software that suits your needs. As with any such consultant, do some preliminary investigation to ensure compatibility, expertise and knowledge of your specific business field.

]]> Benchmarking tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/quality-control//16.31371 2006-08-07T14:17:21Z 2006-08-07T14:17:55Z What is Benchmarking? What are the different types of Benchmarking? What is involved in the process of Benchmarking? What are some mistakes to be aware of in Benchmarking?... phillip benmark.jpg

What is Benchmarking?

What are the different types of Benchmarking?

What is involved in the process of Benchmarking?

What are some mistakes to be aware of in Benchmarking?

]]> ISO Certification tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/quality-control//16.31372 2006-08-07T14:18:38Z 2006-08-07T14:19:02Z What is ISO Certification? What is the process of ISO Certification? How can my business benefit from ISO Certification? Should I pursue ISO Certification for my business?... phillip isocert.jpg

What is ISO Certification?

What is the process of ISO Certification?

How can my business benefit from ISO Certification?

Should I pursue ISO Certification for my business?

]]> Six Sigma tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/quality-control//16.31373 2006-08-07T14:19:51Z 2006-08-07T14:20:15Z What is Six Sigma? What are the general tenets of Six Sigma? How does Six Sigma work? How does my company implement Six Sigma?... phillip sixsig.jpg

What is Six Sigma?

What are the general tenets of Six Sigma?

How does Six Sigma work?

How does my company implement Six Sigma?

]]> Total Quality Management tag:beginnersguide.com,2006:/quality-control//16.31374 2006-08-07T14:21:10Z 2006-08-07T14:21:35Z What is Total Quality Management? How could my business benefit from a Total Quality Management approach? How can I implement a Total Quality Management approach within my business? What problems might I encounter if I attempt to implement a... phillip totqualman.jpg

What is Total Quality Management?

How could my business benefit from a Total Quality Management approach?

How can I implement a Total Quality Management approach within my business?

What problems might I encounter if I attempt to implement a Total Quality Management approach?

]]>