The Three Processes of Quality Management

Quality is Not One Process – But a Complete System

When discussing quality, many focus on inspections, tests, or quality control. However, in practice, quality management is a broad system composed of several processes that work together.

In the materials of Dr. Zigmond Bluband, it is emphasized that an effective quality system is based on three core processes: Quality Planning, Quality Control, and Quality Improvement. All three are essential to create a stable, efficient organization capable of improving over time.

First Process – Quality Planning

Quality planning is the stage where the organization decides how a successful process will look before the work begins. At this stage, the following are defined:

• Customer requirements
• Standards and regulations
• Expected risks
• Measurement methods
• Checkpoints
• Acceptance criteria

An organization that invests in quality planning significantly reduces errors, delays, and costs.

Second Process – Quality Control

Once the process is underway, it is essential to ensure it is carried out according to the plan. Therefore, the following actions are performed:

• Inspections
• Sampling
• Audits
• Measurements
• Deviation analysis

The goal is not to "catch mistakes," but to identify deviations as early as possible. The sooner a deviation is detected, the easier and cheaper it is to address it.

Third Process – Quality Improvement

This is the stage that transforms a quality system from a reactive system to a learning system. Each time a problem arises, the organization asks:

• What happened?
• Why did it happen?
• How can it be prevented in the future?

Here, tools such as Root Cause Analysis, FMEA, Lessons Learned, Kaizen, Lean, and Six Sigma come into play.

The goal is not just to fix – but to improve.

How Do the Three Processes Work Together?

They can be likened to a triangle:

• Planning – defines where we want to go.
• Control – checks if we are on the right track.
• Improvement – enhances the path each time anew.

When one of the three is missing, the quality system suffers.

Example from a Railway Project

In a project to establish a light rail system, thousands of tests are performed throughout the project.

If the planning does not include quality requirements from the outset, even the most advanced control system cannot prevent problems. If there is no quality control, it cannot be known whether the execution meets the requirements. If there is no continuous improvement, the same mistakes will recur at every stage of the project.

This is precisely why complex projects incorporate all three processes simultaneously.

The Most Common Mistake

Many organizations invest a lot of resources in inspections and auditors, but very little in improving the process itself. When most of the time is spent identifying problems instead of preventing them, the organization remains in an endless cycle of corrections.

Advanced quality is not measured by the number of inspections performed, but by the number of problems avoided in advance.

The Benefits of a Balanced Quality System

When the three processes work together, the organization enjoys:

• A decrease in the number of failures.
• Improved quality of products and services.
• Cost savings.
• Better compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Increased customer satisfaction.
• Data-driven decision-making.

Conclusion

The three processes – Quality Planning, Quality Control, and Continuous Improvement – are not separate stages but one system. When they work together, the organization shifts from a "firefighting" approach to an advanced, stable, and proactive quality management approach.

Want to Implement an Advanced Quality System?

At ALD Advanced Solutions, we help organizations build and implement quality systems, improve processes, manage risks, and train professionals in the fields of quality, reliability, and RAMS. For more information about our consulting and training services, please feel free to contact us or learn about our CQE, CMQ/OE, and CRE courses.