QMS 2015 - 6.2: Quality objectives and planning to achieve them

Hi guys!

Is it stated in the QMS2015 standard that quality objectives if not met, require action plans?

Thank you for your inputs!

 

The intent of clause 6.2 is to ensure that the organization establishes quality objectives and plans appropriate actions to achieve them.
The quality objectives should:
e) be monitored and/or reviewed for progress being made in achieving the quality objective; this could be carried out through any suitable means, including progress reports, customer feedback or management reviews etc.;
g) be updated as appropriate; potential or actual changes that can impact on the ability to achieve quality objectives need to be considered and action taken as necessary, to ensure new issues or requirements are addressed.

 

There is no explicit statement. Unlike in the 2008 version where it mentioned in clause 8.2.3 the statement "When planned results are not achieved, correction and corrective action shall be taken, as appropriate". But still the phrase "as appropriate" should be considered.

The nearest statement that you can expect actions on the extent of achievement of the quality objectives is within clause 9.3 Management Review.

 

New to the forum. Great topic!

I think 2015 is pretty clear in 6.2 that there is an expectation of plans to achieve the objective(s). The text is significantly different than 2008 relative to objectives for good reason.

For each objective, we create a full definition of the measurement - definition of the objective, who is responsible, how and where the data comes from, how it is calculated, how data is validated etc. For those with Six Sigma training it's close to what is called the Operational Definition of the measurement. Same thought process.

Since the usual purpose of an objective is to improve, the definition of insanity comes to mind - doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. If you're going to strive for improvement, you'll have to do something different, right? So, what's the plan?

Getting the different parts of the organization to understand how they contribute to meeting the new target is important - so all process owners who impact the objective should know what their role is and what they need to do and by when. For example, for OTD delivery to customers, Purchasing might have an action item to renegotiate delivery schedules. Maintenance might have an action item to implement an improved maintenance system to address excessive equipment downtime. Operations might have an action to complete cross-training of employees to prevent work stoppages when key employees are out. You get the idea. When everyone is aligned to the same objective, great things can happen!

You can create an excel workbook with tabs for the Objective definition, action plan, and then the actual data. And then stay on top of it with regular reviews and accountability for actions to be completed (perhaps in Management Reviews, hmmm?). It's a great way to drive improvement.

I can tell you first hand that CB auditors are expecting to see some kind of plan for meeting the objective. We could argue about whether or not it has to be a document as I've described, but I think you'd have a hard time convincing a CB auditor that you had a plan for getting from A to B without something.

Just some thoughts.

 

Nice thoughts. But I guess Wally is asking an "after the fact" question. Clause 6.2 uses the word "will" which expresses future tense, a "before the event" statement.

 

Why Not action it to correct the problem and get back on tract?? This gives credence to Deming's statement-"Defects are not free. Somebody makes them, and gets paid for making them".

 

Somebody gets paid also to make sure that those that make "them" are prevented from making "them".