Now it is very common to implement quality assurance systems in organizations.
People work with and under quality assurance procedures, and these have to be helpful.
A procedure needs to be revised if the users find it needs to be improved as a result of continuous improvement. Or, it is revised as a result of an audit that is conducted once or twice a year. SO, it really depends on the policy of the organization how frequent the audit should be conducted. Good luck.
It also depends on the technological developements and it implementations. If a new technology is introducted in the chosen area, there is a need to modify the Quality assurance policy and its related procedures.
If the quality assessment is performed e.g. annually, then it makes sense to revise it say every five years, so that there is consistency and continuity in the measurements to allow you to spot trends. However if there is a complete change (e.g. from classroom lecturing to e-learning) then it would be advantageous to revise the quality attributes for suitability immediately.
Thanks, Ian! Your answer was in my mind too... there is validating my idea!
In my University the Procedures are change too often, some times over twice on a year.. this is too much so people feel stressed!
See the link:
1-http://www.linkedin.com/groups/How-often-should-Quality-Management-78075.S.113497655
A document is subject to change at any time where there is an improvement, it is not recommended to set a time for the revision as life cycle, the procedures are to be used every day, so any change in the process is updated at the same moment, otherwise I give opportunity to a fault. In addition, internal audits are an evidence that the procedures are updated.
OK you Yadiana, said the procedure will change each time when it is needed. OK but if it is matter of change -every week for instance or every 1-3 month,... can or do the people learn the new change things so frequently ? Do they keep tracking the changes every time, or maybe they are become confused si stressed by these abundant changes, or rather they renounce to use the newly part of procedures? And so, what's the point ?
Revision is needed when:
(i) there is a change in system /processes/ technology/ people/ methods
(ii) substantial change in size
(iii) Found several discrepancies in existing system
(iv) Change in policies/ objectives/Customer preferences/ statutary- regulatory requirements
(v) Unsatisfied, and solicit breakthrough improvements
Dr P Thareja
Director Principal
( LA & Tutor QMS (ISO 9000) & EMS (ISO 14000))
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
Rayat Institute of Engineering & Information Technology
Railmajra. SBS Nagar, Nr Ropar
Hello Ada, I understand your concern, it is true that the people will overwhelm when they constantly have to make changes, what I wanted to express is, to correct their documents when there is change in the operation of the unit or process, review and update the procedures when necessary and approve them again, because the algorithm of work will never be changed every 1-3 months. Sometimes is not necessary because are no any significant change. Most importantly,that any change be amended immediately to procedures or documents, in this way we assure consistency and prevent errors.
Hi, Yadiana! Thank you for completions. Now is clearer. You are right.