5

Lean Quality

Lean techniques signpost a different role for the Quality organisation.

Process focused, with a clear understanding of the value stream the Quality Team must work to enhance value creation, collecting and communicating the "Voice of the Customer" to the wider organisation and striving to eliminate waste.They should support the use of process metrics and visual management techniques.Much of their work must ensure process standardisation through the use of process confirmation techniques.

During the auditing of processes the Quality Team must be expert in the use of improvement methodologies, using and promoting analytical tools to identify the "root cause" of problems. A key focus of Quality must be defect prevention. Quality should be key actors in the lessons learned process. The Quality Team should coach and facilitate employees to create a continuous improvement culture.