What is a Quality Process System?

A quality process system, also known as a QPS, is a document of workforce information regarding a particular operation on the production floor. It is a tool used by a quality management system (QMS), which has a purpose of satisfying and maintaining a quality standard. A standard that is internationally recognized is the ISO 9001 which is part of the ISO 9000 series. It explains how companies can operate by a certain criterion to attain consistent customer satisfaction. A few aspects of this criterion we will soon explore are preventing errors, employee involvement, training opportunities, and continuously improving efficiency.

Such aspects are exemplified by a QPS through its components. These components bring structure to what is happening on specific operations. Generally, there is a printed set of these components that are physically placed at the operation site. It is a ‘living document’ which means it can be changed at any time due to the changing nature of what happens on the production floor.

QPS Components

• Time Study

o Process analysis conducted by MODAPTS code which calculates the workload done by the operator. This workload is based on using the most efficient methods to complete the operation.

• High-Level Time Review (HLTR)

o Specific aspects of the time study are further studied by engineers and managers for the purpose of precision and accuracy. This increases the reliability of the calculated workload and what is actually happening on the production floor.

• Operator Instruction Sheet (OIS)

o Lays out clear and concise instructions to successfully complete the operation in the most logical and efficient manner. Accompanied by visuals depicting product progression and part numbers for items installed. Can be used for job training and resolve issues concerning what and how the job steps need to be done.

• Job Safety Analysis (JSA)

o Potential safety hazards on the job are identified, assessed, and mitigated to comply with OSHA standards. Bringing awareness to the dangers on the job are important to the health of the workforce.

• Critical to Quality (CTQ)

o Essential work steps are identified, clarified, and controlled. The amount of product defects is decreased by educating employees and managers on vital procedures.

• Sign-Off Sheet

o Includes employee and manager signatures signifying an agreement of the labor assigned. If any revisions are made to the labor, employees and managers are retrained and sign again acknowledging new standards.

No matter how many operations there are on a production floor, each one should receive a QPS. Communicating with accurate documentation is an effective way to promote accountability, compliance, productivity, and quality.

The following resources were used to write this article:

Work Measurement: Setting Labor Standards By: Sechrist and Associates

What is the ISO 9000 Standards Series? - https://asq.org/quality-resources/iso-9000

What is ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management Systems - https://asq.org/quality-resources/iso-9001

What is a Quality Management System (QMS)? - https://asq.org/quality-resources/quality-management-system