Ensuring Quality The Next Steps - Essay Example

Ensuring Quality The Next Step As a project manager it is very important for me to strictly look into the areas, which has dissatisfied the clientwith his earlier supplier. The new client has changed its previous supplier due to dissatisfaction with the quality. So quality will naturally be my main concern. Since it's the largest client of my company, success with this client will open the path to a whole new market that would lead to the company's growth. The top management is looking for a total quality management (TQM).

Since the CEO has laid down the formula i.e. Excellent Product + Quality Processes = Future Growth, the plan of action has become relatively easier for me. Going by this formula of the CEO and the dissatisfaction parameters of the client the scenario is clear. Since the organization does not have a quality department, at the initial stage all concerned department heads should have a weekly quality review meeting. Through this I would like to build successful interpersonal relationships with them, which will help me to move ahead in the project with commitment and integrity.

I will be able to understand the processes of all the concerned departments and with inputs from the department heads can design quality control measures. Quality should be maintained throughout the product life cycle. There should be strict vigilance in the following areas: Raw materials should be verified before buying. The store condition should be checked to ensure that it is not damp, has the required temperature and ventilation levels for this particular product. I would ensure that the staff in the manufacturing unit is able to handle the production of this specialized product.

If not I will have to ask the management for arranging for either their training or recruitment of more trained staff. Before production the raw material should be rechecked to ensure that the quality has not degenerated from the time it has entered our store department. It should be checked that all the machines in production are consistent in both quality and quantity. Effective communication with the client throughout the production stage with emphasis on the progress and their actual quantity demands would prevent many future problems.

While packaging I would ensure that it is done in the best possible way so that the final product does not get affected due to poor quality of packaging. Product labeling will be one of the major concern areas so that expired or mislabeled product are not delivered to the client. Along with Sue, I would see that the labels generated by the software system that Sue has already worked on consist of the following informations: correct batch number, lot number, grade, date of manufacturing and expiry.

Since Sue's system will be ready in the next two weeks time, it should be easier if the new labeling system starts with a new batch code after the implementation of the changed software system. Through this there will be a clear demarcation between the old labeling system and the new one. Therefore it would be better if I proceed in the following order: Product testing, grading, packaging so that Sue's project gets implemented smoothly. Production quality testing as it may need capital investments if change in additional manpower or up gradation and change of machines are required.

Simultaneous design and implementation of testing and quality control process for raw materials. LIFO (last in first out) or FIFO (first in first out) system of taking raw materials in production based on the life of the raw material. With the above mentioned quality measures; I am sure the vendor relationships will soar to great heights and affect the growth of our company too. 'References' Drennan, D., Pennington, S. (1999) 12 Ladders To World Class Performance: how YOUR organization can compete with the best in the world.

UK: Kogan Page. Fitzroy, P., Hulbert, J. (2005) Strategic Management: Creating Value In Turbulent Times. UK: John Wiley &sons, Inc. Hegde, Y.S., Krishna, R. (1993) The A to Z of Management Skills. New Delhi: UBSPD. Rue, L.W., Byars, L.L. (6 Ed.). (1992). Management Skills And Application. USA: IRWIN. Steven, T.H. et.al. (2003) Key Management Models: the management tools and practices that will Improve your business. Great Britain: Pearson Education Limited.