Quality Management Issues That Keep You Up at Night
Posted August 13th, 2018
In a manufacturing or production environment, quality management is typically a top priority. After all, providing a high-quality product secures the company’s reputation as well as impacts the bottom line.
However, quality management doesn’t always run smoothly. Certain issues can be particularly troublesome, especially if the company’s culture isn’t willing to embrace a new paradigm in the name of increased efficiency.
If you are struggling with quality management issues, here are some cultural concerns that could be harder for you to reach your goals and what to do about them.
Quality Management in a Silo
Many manufacturing companies relegate quality management duties to a single department, such as quality control or assurance. While having a team dedicated to quality concerns is a smart move, that doesn’t mean the entire burden should fall on their shoulders.
Ultimately, quality management needs to be the forefront of every employee’s mind, regardless of their position. This ensures that each person is fully focused on producing the best possible product at every stage, making quality management easier from beginning to end.
Avoiding New Technologies
By implementing the right technologies, you can increase the quality of your outputs efficiently. However, many companies are reluctant to explore new options, particularly if bringing them in would fundamentally change specific parts of the operation.
While you don’t need to embrace every technological advancement, take a close look at any that can help you improve processes and increase quality. Yes, it may require a financial investment and some time to get everyone properly trained but, once the solution is in place, the benefit tends to make it worth the effort.
No Upper Management Buy-In
In most cases, any change to the current process or equipment requires upper management to buy into the idea. Generally, organizational leaders are tasked with determining whether a shift provides enough value to dedicate the time and resources necessary to institute the change.
Typically, middle managers and employees need to function as advocates for new technologies, clearly demonstrating their potential benefit. While this can take some work to create a sense of urgency, it can make it easier to secure upper management’s approval.
Supply Chain Complexity
In today’s global economy, many manufacturing companies have supply chains that are only becoming more complex. Raw materials may be sourced in other states or even countries, partially finished products may need to move safely between facilities for completion, and product distribution may be national or worldwide.
Having a strong grasp of logistics is a must. Otherwise, issues in the supply chain can harm quality, particularly if materials and parts aren’t reaching their destinations in a timely fashion. Make sure that a robust plan is in place and that every phase is tracked. Learn about the timing of each leg of the journey, and work to optimize the entire process to ensure everything arrives at the proper point at the right time.
By using the tips above, you can make quality management easier throughout the business. If you are interested in learning more, the professionals at Bayside Solutions can help. Contact us to discuss your company’s needs today and see how our expertise can benefit you.
