Many of today’s organizations use management systems to establish policies and procedures for achieving their objectives. Most frequently, organizations have management systems to support quality, health and safety, environment and sustainability, and data privacy.

If ever there was a time for risk-based thinking, it would be now. During this strange season, the entire world seems to be shutting down as the pandemic disrupts lives and businesses.

The importance of auditing should not be overlooked. As longtime Quality columnist Jim Smith writes, “It’s rare that managers, or even most quality auditors, discuss how closely tied the findings of manufacturing audits are to the long-term ability of their companies to compete in this highly competitive market.”

Decisions are required all the time, both small and large. How to run a business? What to do about customer complaints? What should you have for lunch?

Spend time on any manufacturing floor and you will realize that relationships between suppliers and partners are critical. Rather than considering them as an entity outside of your organization, suppliers should be treated as trusted partners.

Good products don’t just happen. Quality depends on processes, and a process approach outlines the steps for success. Like so many elements of quality, it requires methodical attention to detail and planning. 

Surely, it’s a bad thing when a business receives customer complaints. If the customer isn’t happy, then there must have been a poor interaction and we need to do everything we can to make the customer happy as quickly as possible, right? 

Picture this. A workplace filled with staff members excited about their work, driven to do their best and striving for improvements every day.

Great leaders inspire people to do great things. They can comfort during times of difficulty and strife, calm a country during conflicts, and bring out the best in their staff.

When dealing with medical problems, the medical device should not add to these problems. Medical device manufacturing requires the highest quality—and industry takes no chances with this. Regulations are de rigueur. The need for quality of a bone screw should be obvious, and the same goes for any medical device.