1.4: How is Quality Involved Company-Wide?
- Page ID
- 39473
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A quality product is the result of a quality company involving every member of the company from the shipping and receiving, to marketing, in addition to any of the wet-lab job duties. Below is a summary of Total Quality Management in a company. More on this quality philosophy later in the course.
Engineering or Research & Development (R&D)
New and existing products are designed, developed, and evaluated by R&D. A company’s Quality Department may partner in the process in the following ways:
- Establish safety as a formal design parameter.
- Review designs for safety
- Verify that the design meets all government and industry standards.
- Monitor all material and material substitutions to make sure they meet all safety codes.
- Review the tracking method(s) in place for product traceability.
Marketing (Sales)
Product information must be up-to-date and accurate, including sales materials and user manuals. Quality can assist in this area by ensuring that all the following occur:
- All sales and marketing materials are evaluated for clarity, accuracy, and regulatory compliance.
- Products are properly packaged & labeled (e.g., with warnings, directions, and storage).
Manufacturing
Quality may assist manufacturing in the following ways:
- Inspect & test product before shipping to confirm that it meets established specifications
- Provide training for workers to meet safety and quality standards.
- Audit the manufacturing process
- Provide feedback to upper management about production and product safety.
- Document product test results.
- Ensure calibration of test equipment.
- Schedule and perform tests. Evaluate results.