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Team Blog

Team Blog is about generating quality awareness  for everyone.  The Quality Team would like you to contribute your  news, views and comments about what has been happening to you, including any funny stories that might cheer us all up.  It is intended to be a forum where you can seek advice and help from others and also for you to pass on any nuggets of useful information.
1. Motivating teams
Written by Keith Flight
Thursday, April 05 2007

 

I received the following question via our 'ask the team' page today, and I thought other people might be interested in the answer: 

"I realize that the companies usually have a quality improvement team. But almost not effective. Could you advise me how to keep the team energized on quality?"

I would say the most important thing is to ensure there is commitment to quality from the very top of the management structure and that this commitment is effectively communicated throughout the organisation,  particularly to the members of the team.  It is not enough to send out one communication at the start showing the commitment to quality - there should be a communications strategy planned and executed to ensure quality remains highly visible at all times.

It is also important that the members of the team are allowed the time and resources they need to drive forward the quality agenda, and they need to have the authority to carry through any actions necessary.  They should be given objectives that relate to the quality agenda that are achievable and measurable, and there should be regular meetings to report back to senior management on progress against these objectives.

 
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2. Fire safety information
Written by Keith Flight
Wednesday, February 28 2007

One of the publications I subscribe to is the quarterly magazine of the Buildings Research Establishment (BRE) 'Constructing the Future'.  Issue 31, Sping 2007 is heavily biased towards fire safety, and anyone who has an interest in this are would do well to get a copy. Articles include:

  • Fire as a sustainability issue
  • Heathcare fire safety
  • Fire safety in transport
  • Fire spread in car parks
  • Fire in schools
  • Wireless fire detection systems
  • New approach to fire legislation

Anyone who is interested in getting a copy should register on the BRE website at www.bre.co.uk/register.jsp .

 
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3. Microsoft quality - an oxymoron?
Written by Keith Flight
Monday, February 12 2007

I've recently noticed yet another of those annoying little quirks of Microsoft which can be broken down into two elements:

  1. They have issued IE7 as an update, although it is actually a beta test version, and you have to download special software if you don't want to be continually prompted to install it.
  2. If you generate a web page from Visio (a Microsoft application) it will not work in IE7!!!
I am now resorting to getting web based QMS's developed in HTML rather than Visio so they will work when my clients try and use them. 
 
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4. Are certification bodies the enemy?
Written by Keith Flight
Monday, February 12 2007

James is right in his comment on the last but one posting when he says certification bodies profit from the relationship. 

In my opinion, though, this can be a good thing.  The bad old days  of the assessor as enemy trying to trip you up are long gone.  The certification bodies have now by and large grasped the fact that they are certifying their customers and generally try to build a constructive and supportive relationship with the businesses they certify.  And as a last resort, if yo are not happy with the assessor you are allocated, you are entitled to ask for a replacement.

 
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5. What does a management system mean to the workers on the coalface?
Written by Keith Flight
Monday, February 12 2007

In answer to Bizzy's comment on the previous blog, a properly implemented management system should have minimal impact on existing working practices, unless  they are very  poorly managed.   The  initial  implementation  should concentrate on documenting the processes 'as is', only adding things where additional control is needed anyway.  The benefits come later, when analysis of the way the processes are operating can throw into relief opportunities for improvement. 

The goal is to deliver better product more reliably, which will benefit the business and what benefits the business should benefit those who work in it.

 
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