Quality Management Principles

“There are three constants in life... change, choice and principles.”

Stephen R. Covey (Management consultant, Writer of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) 

Introduction:

Before we even start understanding the requirements for quality management system as defined in the new edition of international standard ISO 9001, let us understand the principles of quality management and what a quality management system should have.
A quality management principle is a comprehensive and fundamental rule or belief, for leading and operating an organization, aimed at continually improving performance over the long term by focusing on customers while addressing the needs of all other stakeholders.
There are eight principles of quality management on which the 2000 (and 2008) edition of ISO 9000 series of standards are based. The principles are derived from the collective experience and knowledge of the international experts who participate in ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC 176, Quality management and quality assurance, which is responsible for developing and maintaining the ISO 9000 standards.
There are many different ways of applying these quality management principles. The nature of the organization and the specific challenges it faces will determine how to implement them. Many organizations will find it beneficial to set up quality management systems based on these principles.

There are eight basic principles of quality management:

• Principle 1-Customer focus
• Principle 2-Leadership
• Principle 3-Involvement of people
• Principle 4-Process approach
• Principle 5-System approach to management
• Principle 6-Continual improvement
• Principle 7-Factual approach to decision making
• Principle 8-Mutually beneficial supplier relationships

External Document Reference (download)

Total Quality Management: Introduction
The Original Quality Gurus: Management Theories by Leading Consultants