An integrated quality assurance information system for the designtoorder manufacturing environment

• Published in: TQM magazine 2006-03, Vol.18 (2), p.174-189
• Main Authors: Nookabadi, A.S., Middle, J.E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Information strategy; Information systems; Quality assurance; Quality management
• ISSN: 0954-478X
• DOI: 10.1108/09544780610647883

Purpose As one of the major goals in modern industry, quality assurance concerns the whole life cycle of both product and process covering all qualitybased functions. It is also clear that, in order to design and manufacture the right products for customers, there is a strong need for an information system to support all the qualitybased functions from the preproduction stage through to postproduction. Despite the research studies on integrated quality systems IQS in recent years, there remains no model for the implementation of IQS. This study aims to address this issue. Designmethodologyapproach In considering quality assurance as a system within an organisation which itself has other subsystems, and referring to the definitions of integration, it is clear that the concept of integration can be applied to this area. The objective of integrated quality assurance information system is to integrate all phases from initial identification to final realisation of requirements and customer expectations in order to achieve maximum effectiveness and full customer quality satisfaction. Findings In this paper a schematic model of those essential qualitybased functions that need to take place within any designtoorder manufacturing environment are presented. The model collects, distributes, coordinates and analyses information and data throughout all the subsections. To validate the model a prototype test has also been carried out. Originalityvalue This paper is one of the first to provide information and model on all the qualitybased functions from the preproduction through to postproduction stage.