Process approach to Quality Management

All processes have inputs and outputs.
Outputs of one process may form Inputs to another process.

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Management review is seen as a major element of the system with several of the other processes being both an input and output to the review. This is because the review looks at performance and also identifies opportunities for improvement (through new objectives).

We plan the process including the inputs outputs, and resources required. We complete the process, check the output against our objective and take action to affect improvements.

The basis of process control was identified by Dr Edwards-Deming (a quality guru) as a continual cycle of the following 4 basic actions - Plan, Do, Check, Act - as shown opposite.

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We plan the process including the inputs outputs, and resources required. We complete the process, check the output against our objective and take action to affect improvements.

The illustration above shows how processes may be considered for the purpose of effective quality management. A process is made up of a number of simple tasks or process steps.

The purpose of the process is to perform some activity or activities which convert inputs to outputs.

An effective process can be measured and has defined and managed resources: equipment, systems, and competent personnel.

The introductory pages to ISO 9001:2000 illustrate the inter-relationship of processes for a typical quality management system as follows.

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My personal view is that this diagram is mis-titled. It shows the inter-relationship between the key clauses of the management system but does not really follow the way that most people would choose to identify the processes in their won business give a choice and a blank sheet of paper.