Quality control involves managing manufacturing processes and product specifications. It requires identifiable procedures, a manager, quality control statement, inspection procedures, and a quality control engineer. The process ensures materials and products conform to requirements, with specific procedures instituted by a manager or supervisor. Quality control processes are not limited to manufacturing plants and often involve inspecting machinery and providing standards for product testing. A quality control engineer works alongside the manager and inspector to sample and test products before providing information for quality improvements. A business often uses quality checklists to record product defects and address issues such as waste materials and low productivity.
Quality control often refers to the management of manufacturing processes and product or service specifications. This system, however, generally requires identifiable procedures and employees who plan and control. The quality control process may therefore include a manager who oversees the system, a quality control statement summarizing production objectives, and inspection procedures at different points of production. A quality control engineer is often part of this process to collect data, and a checklist often provides the foundation for routine product inspection.
For a quality control process to be successful, specific procedures often need to be instituted with a manager or supervisor to oversee them. This person may be largely responsible for both developing a quality control program and ensuring that expectations are met. In many cases, the purpose of quality control is to ensure that all materials and products sent for delivery conform to contract or customer requirements. To do this, therefore, a quality control manager often needs a functional plan to control the manufacturing process, determine when and if the process fails, and respond accordingly to restore the process.
In some companies, the quality manager may work to create and implement a quality control statement. Where such statements already exist, the manager can simply ensure that procedures are adequate and that the process design meets product specifications. A production manager is often involved in such determinations. However, quality control processes are not limited to manufacturing plants. Laboratories, patient care facilities, and utilities such as public transportation and wastewater treatment also implement quality control procedures.
A quality control statement often identifies production goals and provides the basis for product and service measurements. This document can therefore outline those business structures that need to be included in the quality control process. Manufacturing plants, for example, may require maintenance of all plant equipment, instrument calibration, and ongoing employee training.
Once the quality declaration is completed, the procedures can be defined and implemented. To ensure that plant equipment is functioning properly, the quality control process may involve inspecting the machinery daily for worn or broken parts. Pumps and hoses can be inspected for leaks, as well as ladders or other instruments adjusted.
In addition to the inspection of machinery, the procedures are likely to also provide standards for product or service testing. Depending on the types of quality control implemented, some processes will try to prevent errors while others will try to correct them. Therefore, quality control planning often looks at the development, production and delivery of goods.
Some companies implement a quality control process in all three stages. To illustrate, sample products may be manufactured prior to actual production. During this time, the manufacturing design can be adjusted to correct errors or quality inspectors can review engineering files to ensure processes are working as intended. Once mass production begins, random products can be inspected for quality assurance. Another option is to wait until all products have been made for a total product overhaul. Many companies also implement a system for returning or exchanging products after delivery to the customer.
At all three junctures, a quality control engineer often works alongside the manager and inspector. This person is likely to sample and test products before providing the information to the inspector. In turn, the inspector can compare data and determine when and where quality improvements are needed. The manager is therefore likely to approve such changes and also optimize processes for cost efficiency and timely delivery of products.
Managing the quality control process often means balancing manufacturing standards with a standardized quality control inspection. For inspection purposes, a business often uses quality checklists in which the inspector records the number, causes, and frequency of product defects. This is usually a structured form or questionnaire which can be adapted by many industries. Additionally, a checklist can address issues such as high levels of waste materials and low productivity. Checklists can also provide points for QA summaries and discussions during team meetings.
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