Quality control systems

Quality control (QC) is a system of processes that businesses use to ensure their products and services meet specific quality standards. It involves checking and testing throughout the production process, from raw materials to finished goods, to identify and address any defects. Effective QC offers several benefits including reduced costs, improved customer satisfaction and enhanced brand reputation. Catching defects early prevents them from reaching the customer, saving money on rework, scrap, and warranty claims.

Books:

1. The Quality Toolbox, Second Edition by Nancy Tague – This comprehensive book offers a practical guide to various quality control tools and techniques, including statistical process control (SPC), control charts, and acceptance sampling. It’s a great resource for those new to QC or seeking to broaden their knowledge.
2. The Lean Six Sigma Pocket Toolbook: A Quick Reference Guide to 100 Tools for Improving Quality and Speed by Michael Michel – This book provides a concise overview of 100 key Lean Six Sigma tools and techniques used to improve quality and efficiency. It’s a valuable resource for anyone involved in process improvement initiatives.
3. The Toyota Way: 14 Management Principles from the World’s Greatest Manufacturer by Jeffrey Liker – This book explores the Toyota Production System (TPS), a highly successful approach to lean manufacturing that emphasizes continuous improvement and quality. While not strictly a QC book, it offers valuable insights into building a culture of quality within an organisation.

Guides:

1. Quality control in manufacturing ISO – ISO is an international organisation that develops standards for a wide range of industries. The ISO 9000 series of standards are specifically for quality management systems. There are many resources available online to learn about ISO 9000 and how to implement it in a manufacturing setting.
2. What is Quality Control? A detailed guide – This article discusses quality control and details different methods used for quality control, including inspections, testing, and data analysis.
3. Quality control in manufacturing: Best practices – Discusses quality control vs quality assurance, quality methods and techniques, and the impact it has on businesses.
4. A Guide to Quality Control (QC) in Manufacturing – This guide provides practical strategies and smart techniques for quality control in manufacturing organisations.

Articles:

1. What is quality control: problems and solutions – This article provides a comprehensive overview of quality control (QC), emphasising its importance in manufacturing and service industries.
2. Quality assurance vs quality control – Clarifies the differences between these two concepts.
3. Rethinking Statistics for Quality Control– As methods used for statistical process control become more sophisticated, it becomes apparent that the required tools have not been included in courses that teach statistics in quality control. A basic description of these tools and their applications is provided.
4. A Discussion of the Software Quality Assurance Role– The inability to identify who are actually customers limits the ability of software quality assurance engineers in the performance of their duties. Correcting this oversight enables the SQA engineer to provide greater value to customers by assuming the role of auditor as well as that of software and systems engineer.

Podcasts:

1. The QA Lead Podcast hosted by Jonathon Wright – This podcast focuses on quality assurance (QA) practices in software development. It explores various topics relevant to quality control, including Agile methodologies, automation testing, and leadership for QA teams. While not strictly for manufacturing, it offers valuable insights into general QC processes and best practices.
2. The Engineering Quality Control Podcast – Published by the Engineering Management Institute, this podcast specifically targets engineering professionals involved in quality control. The show features interviews with experts who discuss quality control practices, case studies, and emerging trends in the field. It’s a great resource to learn about practical quality control applications in engineering projects.
3. The Conformance Cast – This educational podcast by A2LA WorkPlace Training covers topics related to conformity assessment, which is a key component of quality control. It discusses ISO standards, quality management systems, and best practices for ensuring products and services meet regulatory requirements.

Tools:

1. Tulip – Tulip quality control software is a highly versatile and user-friendly platform designed to enhance manufacturing processes by integrating digital solutions into traditional production environments. It offers a range of features aimed at streamlining quality control and ensuring compliance with industry standards.
2. MasterControl – Comprehensive enterprise quality management system (EQMS) designed to streamline quality processes and ensure regulatory compliance across various industries, particularly in life sciences such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and biotechnology.
3. MRPeasy – MRPeasy is a cloud-based MRP software designed to help small manufacturers streamline their production processes and manage various aspects of their operations effectively. It offers a comprehensive set of features tailored to the needs of businesses with 10 to 200 employees across various industries, including electronics, automotive, food and beverage, medical devices, and more.
4. TrackMedium QMS – Cloud-based QMS designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises manage their quality control processes. The software provides a comprehensive suite of tools to automate and streamline compliance with industry standards such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OSHA.

Quality control systems are essential for businesses to ensure they deliver high-quality products and services. By implementing effective QC practices, businesses can achieve greater efficiency, reduce costs, and build a strong reputation for quality.