Why Is the Quality Manager Not the Only Person Responsible for Quality?
A customer complaint arrives. Process performance falls below target. An audit identifies a nonconformity. In many organizations, everyone immediately turns to the Quality…
You Found the Gaps – How to Turn Audit Findings into Everyday Readiness
The audit is over. Your organization has received the report, and the findings have been entered into a tracker with owners and deadlines….
The Most Common Gaps Before an Audit – and Why They Do Not Start in the Quality Department
When an external audit – such as a customer or certification audit – is approaching, many organizations activate the same mechanism. The quality…
Audit Readiness – How to Identify Gaps Before the Auditor Does
Audit readiness often becomes a priority only when the audit date is already approaching. Suddenly, the FMEA needs updating. Someone starts checking for…
Quality Management System Planning for the New Year
Quality Management System Planning in a new year is a natural milestone for most organizations. On the one hand, it is a time to close…
Competencies in Quality Management System
Competencies and Quality Management System (QMS) – is there a connection?In the automotive industry, QMS ensures high product quality and compliance with standards….
ISO/DIS 9001 Is Out: What’s Really Changing—and What You Should Do Now
On 27 August 2025 the Draft International Standard (DIS) for ISO 9001 (ISO/DIS 9001)was published, opening a formal 12-week ballot and comment period…
Human Error – Better to Discipline Staff or Improve the System?
Human error is a frequently cited cause of problems in quality management but is rarely understood in depth. Too often, problem-solving teams focus…
Leadership Responsibilities in IATF 16949
In demanding automotive manufacturing, leadership isn’t just about overseeing operations—it’s about actively shaping a culture of quality and continuous improvement. IATF 16949:2016, the…
Implementing Change Management
There’s one thing that’s always certain to happen and that’s… change! You expect a “normal” day, and something happens which makes you change…
Management review – Effective and without mistakes
Management review is – we dare to call it – the most important activity in quality management system (QMS). It is essential because…
Setting SMART Quality Objectives
“Let’s be SMART this year!” … Always when beginning new year, some of us are asked to consider and refocus our attention on…