Nitty Gritty? No need!

A quality management system is exactly that – a system for managing levels of quality.  It is a formal broad scoping system that describes what you do to make sure the levels of quality of your work (product or service) is maintained, sustained and of course improved.

Don’t get bogged down in the nitty gritty – these are ‘work instructions’ that are used for the individuals who have to carry it out.  Of course they can be very necessary, but not necessarily part of the overarching company manual/handbook/business bible – whatever you want to call it.

The management system is of course documented – how else can you consistently carry out the same systems? The manual (for arguments sake) lists core activities that must take place for the smooth, efficient and effective running of the business. Continuity – sustained levels of high quality – is your brand image and your brand image is important.

Of course, you choose what the level of quality of your product or service is – high, reasonable, poor!

Who you choose to design and manage your quality management system, is also important.  Do you choose someone who is a technical expert of your product/service?  S/he might just be too ‘fussy’ with the ‘nitty gritty’ and lose sight of the wider overview needed of your business.  Do you choose someone who’s an administration fanatic – everything done by the book and everything in its place?  Both these types have their strengths - add to that the manager whose ‘been there, done it and is now calm’ attitude to the mix and the quality management team will perform well for your business.

Tip:  say what you do, do what you say, prove it, improve it.

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