What is a Quality Management System?

“Quality is never an accident. It is always the result of intelligent effort.”
John Ruskin

There comes a point in every business’ life cycle where a quality management system is essential. To sustain success, your business needs to be as efficient and as effective as possible in order to satisfy either your customer or client base.

But, what is a quality management system and what are the benefits of employing a QMS at your organisation?

What is a quality management system?

A quality management system, at its heart, is a set of internal rules and processes that your business and its employees follow in order to produce a product or provide a service. Formalised, this will usually consist of a collection of documented policies, processes, procedures and records that are accessible to everyone who works for you.

What are the benefits of a quality management system?

1. Helps you achieve delivery of the best quality service/product
2. Improves efficiency at an operational level
3. Provides direction and guidance to all staff members
4. Reduces cost and waste
5. Risk can be recorded, better controlled and mitigated
6. Directs activities to meet legal requirements and satisfy your customers
7. Improves staff morale

How can you implement a QMS?

The good news is you probably already have a quality management system established in your organisation – or at least the foundations of one; it may yet be formalised and documented. The next step is to decide which quality management system is right for you. ISO 9001:2015 is the world’s most trusted and recognised quality management standard and will provide the framework for your business to reap the benefits of becoming more efficient.