Glossary · Manufacturing systems
Quality management
Also known as: QM, Quality management system (QMS)
German: Qualitätsmanagement
In organizations, quality management is the coordinated set of activities to direct and control an organization with regard to quality, including quality policy, objectives, planning, control, assurance and improvement.
- Manufacturing systems
- Standards
In one sentence
Quality management directs and controls an organization with regard to quality: policy, planning, control, assurance and improvement.
Example
The manufacturer's quality management system, certified to ISO 9001, defines how customer complaints lead to corrective actions and process changes.
Explained in context
Context cards connect this term with others to answer one question. Also in British English and German.
How it applies
- Framework: ISO 9000 defines the vocabulary and principles; ISO 9001 specifies requirements for a quality management system. Sector standards such as ISO 13485 (medical devices) or IATF 16949 (automotive) add requirements.
- Production: Quality planning, inspection, statistical process control and nonconformity handling are everyday quality management activities on the shop floor.
- Improvement: Corrective actions, audits and management reviews drive continual improvement; see Corrective and preventive action (CAPA).
- Documentation: Documentation teams are part of the quality system: document control, review and release, and feedback from users are quality processes. Certification shows that a system exists; it does not prove that a specific product meets its requirements.
Quality management vs. quality assurance
Quality assurance is the part of quality management focused on providing confidence that requirements will be met. Quality control focuses on fulfilling requirements, for example through inspection.