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.