Quality management system (QMS): improvement process

After having developed the implementation of a quality management system in three phases (preparation, deployment and testing of the QMS project) in the article , we now consider the quality management system (QMS) to be operational, having successfully undergone the various internal, blank and certification audits, in accordance with the ISO 9001 version 2000 standard [11] .

The aim here is to describe the QMS continuous improvement process, taking as its model the Deming wheel (PDCA) 3 , which is based on the existing QMS and is constantly turning, with the aim of developing corrective and preventive actions on the way to total quality (TQM). We will describe the EFQM self-assessment framework, which leads the company to rate itself, in order to correct dysfunctions in the management of its personnel and resources, as well as in the overall efficiency of its processes.

Last but not least, we must not forget Quality Methods and Tools, which are covered in the following articles of this treaty; as instruments of total quality, they encourage the pooling of everyone's know-how within the company.