Quality Management Overview

Definition of Quality Management

• ISO 9000 defines quality management as "coordinated activities to direct and control an organization regarding quality."
• Quality management is interconnected with a quality system, which includes organizational structure, resources, processes, and procedures essential for quality management implementation.

Historical Development of Quality Management

• Quality management concepts emerged in the 20th century, primarily driven by manufacturing and shop processes.
• Quality control for products was one of the earliest concepts in the quality management movement.
• In the 1920s, Shewhart developed a method for statistical process control, laying the groundwork for laboratory quality control procedures.

Adoption in Laboratories

• Quality control methods began to be applied in laboratory settings in the 1940s.
• The transition to laboratory quality management marked a significant development in quality assurance practices within scientific environments.

Key Innovators and Their Contributions

• Arman Feigenbaum contributed the concept of total quality management, emphasizing the integrated nature of quality processes.
• Kaoru Ishikawa is known for the development of quality circles and the Ishikawa diagram, a tool for identifying cause-and-effect relationships in quality issues.
• Genichi Taguchi introduced robust design methods aimed at minimizing variation and improving product quality.
• Galvin's recent work focuses on micro-scale error reduction in laboratory settings, enhancing precision in quality management practices.

Conclusion

• Quality management is a longstanding discipline that has evolved through contributions from various key figures, significantly shaping modern quality assurance methodologies in laboratories and other organizations.

Explore the crucial concepts of quality management as defined by ISO 9000. Learn about its historical development, from the early 20th century manufacturing processes to its adoption in laboratory settings in the 1940s. This quiz will help reinforce your understanding of quality control standards and practices.