|

Determining
an appropriate quality policy can be difficult at times. The quality
policy describes your philosophy about quality; what your organization
is all about; and what you want everyone to focus on: good products,
timely delivery, happy customers, and continuously getting better.
Some suggestions for developing your quality policy include:
Keep
it simple
Keep it consistent with organization’s beliefs and direction
Be able to measure the success toward meeting the quality policy
Include “continuous improvement”
Communicate the policy and the meaning of the policy
Review it periodically
- It
has to make sense to your organization.
- It
should be simple - basic. "Keep it simple". Some companies
use a memory trick like using their company initials in describing
the first word of several thoughts; or keying in on the first
words so employees only need to remember three words in order
to remember the gist of the policy (e.g. MEET product requirements,
EXCEED customer expectations, IMPROVE product and delivery.)
- Be
careful not to be too complicated or wordy. Fewer words are
better. Remember all of your employees need to know not only
the gist of the quality policy but also what that means to them
in their positions. How does what they do contribute to the
quality policy.
- It
should include the words "Continuous Improvement".
- Quality
objectives should link to the quality policy. If you say in
your policy that you provide "the best customer service",
how will you measure that? Same story for anything you describe
- is it measurable? How?
- Communicate,
post the policy, and check employees on the policy. It is your
way to focus everyone in the same direction in conjunction with
the organizations focus and goals.
- The
quality policy must be evaluated periodically for appropriateness.
You can include this in your management review meetings as an
agenda item to double check that the policy is still appropriate
to your goals and focus.
|