Quality Management Guidelines Research Articles

AN ENABLING TOOL FOR THE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING RAPID ASSESSMENT PROCESS

AbstractThe Systems Engineering Rapid Assessment Process is defined here as a quick assessment effort involving only one or two systems engineers. It was analyzed in the AT&T Advanced Technical Systems (ATS) division for improvement opportunities. The methodology used for this study was that set forth in the Process Quality Management and Improvement (PQMI) guidelines. The process was determined to have four readily defined phases. It begins with the Formulation Phase, in which the systems engineer characterizes the problem. Next, an action plan is laid out in the Planning Phase. Then comes the Assessment Phase, in which the work mapped out in the action plan is actually performed. Finally, the last phase is the close‐out phase, which is essentially a documentation effort.It was determined that the best apparent improvement opportunity for this process was to create a set of guidelines, formatted in the form of a single‐page checklist. The checklist was reviewed and tested for effectiveness. As expected, it was found to be an aid to the engineer in both increasing the quality of assessment output and in decreasing the time required for this output. It is also not burdensome to use, as it requires very little up‐front investment of time.

Quality Assurance of the Bedside Chest Radiography Process

The bedside chest radiography process was analyzed in terms of modern quality management guidelines and the sources of quality problems were identified. In order to analyze systematically the various quality factors, the process was described in a top-down fashion with the aid of data flow diagrams. Two internal quality control points and one external point were found in the process. Means to measure quality at the quality control points including questionnaires and a formula for calculating the internal quality index were developed.

USING STRUCTURED PROCESS IMPROVEMENT TECHNIQUES ON THE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING PROCESS

AbstractContinuous process improvement is the hallmark of Total Quality Management. Structured techniques for process improvement are used within AT&T and they are documented in our Process Quality Management and Improvement (PQMI) Guidelines. AT&T Federal Systems (FSAT) has established a Quality Architecture that serves to organize the process management improvements using PQMI techniques. The Quality Architecture is structured around the Malcolm Baldrige categories.The Process Management Team (PMT) for Systems Engineering has documented a standard process for use throughout Federal Systems. The process uses standard metrics for measuring the effectiveness of process improvements. These metrics also provide data for estimating costs during project planning. This PMT has formed lower‐level PMTs for the Systems Engineering subprocesses of Systems Engineering Management, Risk Management, Requirements Definition, System Analysis and Optimization, Documentation, and System Integration. Each of these lower level PMTs is documenting standard processes, developing tools and templates, and analyzing process metrics to identify improvement opportunities. A Product Realization Process (PRP) defines the interaction and timing of all the processes needed for executing a program.This paper describes our Quality Architecture, PQMI techniques, process improvement results, and plans for more process improvement.

Visual resource management of Victoria's forests: A new concept for Australia

The Forests Commission of Victoria, Australia is currently adapting a system developed by the United States Forest Service for managing the scenic resources of forest landscapes. This article discusses the new Visual Management System, and the current progress in applying it to Victoria's forests. The social significance, historic background and geographic setting of the project are briefly summarised. Initial activities involved in the establishment of the procedure and the Visual Management System are explained. Assessment and inventory methods for the landscape character type, scenic quality, public sensitivity, seen area, and visual impact components of the system are reviewed. The visual quality objectives and management guidelines generated by the system are discussed in the context of their application to forest landscape alterations in Victoria.

A Study On The Introduction Of Quality ManagementSystem For Improving The International CompetitivePower Of The Shipping Companies In Korea

This paper suggests a prototype for a quality management system (QMS) of seafaring labour, which itself would be a sub-system of the total quality management (TQM) system in a shipping company, on the basis of the ISM and the ISMA Codes, ISO 9002, ISO 9004, and other quality management guidelines. The paper argues that the QMS is essential for the survival of the Korean shipping industry and that it will contribute not only to assuring the quality of crew, but also, consequently, to increasing the international competitive edge of the shipping companies in Korea.