Competitiveness is a key factor in any industry or sector. To ensure strong market performance, maintaining the quality of products and/or services is crucial. How do we define “quality”? Regardless of the answer, it must meet customer needs and expectations, ensuring that the delivered value aligns with what is anticipated. In this context, a company will find its operational space in the market.

To manage and ensure quality in businesses, Quality Management Systems (QMS) have been developed. These systems aim to address the resources, procedures, and responsibilities of a department in line with its objectives.

QMS in the Industrial Context

In the industrial context, Quality Management Systems can be applied to a wide range of activities, from production to human resource management. They can be used to improve the quality of products and services, workplace safety, and reduce costs. This leads to higher satisfaction among both customers and employees.

The principles of QMS are:

  1. Customer Focus: The company must work to meet customer needs satisfactorily, anticipate future needs, and foster customer loyalty.
  2. Leadership: Leaders should maintain a motivating internal environment to achieve the set objectives.
  3. Involvement of People: Every employee should engage with issues and seek solutions.
  4. Process Approach: This is based on analyzing the inputs and outputs of the company.
  5. System Approach to Management: Managing interrelated processes contributes to achieving objectives effectively.
  6. Continual Improvement: There should be a constant focus on improving overall performance systematically.
  7. Factual Approach: Effective decisions are based on the analysis of facts, data, and information.

When these principles are implemented, they translate into a series of benefits for companies, helping to identify and correct problems in product or process quality.

This brings up the question: How do QMS impact the company’s positioning? Firstly, in the selection of suppliers, which must become more stringent. During the production process, task standardization reduces the margin of human error and enhances safety among employees. At the end of the production chain, efficiency and productivity are ensured, resulting, for instance, in optimal material utilization and timely deliveries.

Implementing Quality Management Systems

Implementing a quality management system is a complex process that requires the involvement of the entire company. It is important to have the support of specialized consultants to ensure that the system is implemented effectively and efficiently.

The implementation process of a quality management system can be divided into the following stages:

  1. Planning: Define objectives and create an implementation plan.
  2. Implementation: Implement the QMS processes and procedures.
  3. Maintenance: Keep the QMS up-to-date and compliant with applicable requirements.
  4. Audit: Periodically check if the QMS is adequate and functioning effectively.

A Matter of Positioning

QMS are essential tools for the success of any company, and the industrial macro-sector is no exception. They allow for a systematic and controlled approach to processes, anticipating the information and resources needed at each stage of the process. Ultimately, it’s about positioning. What positioning do you want for your company? What is the level of demand? Quality Management Systems are part of a suitable response.