Quality management (QM) includes all measures that ensure certain quality standards so that processes, workflows and also the end product or service are continuously improved.
Quality management includes the following factors:
QM focuses not only on improving product and service quality, but also on ensuring that it is sustainable. Therefore, quality assurance is used to achieve a defined quality level. Quality planning is based on the defined quality objectives, the necessary implementation processes and the resources required to achieve them. Quality control is directed towards the fulfillment of quality requirements, while quality improvement means increasing the effectiveness of all measures required for quality assurance.
ISO 9001 is an internationally recognized quality management standard and defines the minimum requirements for quality management systems. The goal of the standard is to meet customer requirements by continuously optimizing processes and organizational performance. Organizations of any type and size, and regardless of the product they offer, can obtain a certification if they meet all the requirements of the standard. For certain industries, there are more extensive quality specifications based on the ISO 9001 standard, such as IATF-16949 or APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) for quality management in the automotive industry.
Project management and project management software can assist in the implementation of strategic projects such as the introduction of a quality management system (QMS). Examples of some QM projects are: