Light on the Process Approach- Finally

To begin with, I just realised what a flawed understanding i had had of "The Process Approach".

It was really one of those "aha" moments of my life...

Companies that adopt the process approach- one of the cardinal prnciples on which most Quality systems are based absolutely need to experience this Aha moment to make capital use of such an adoption.

A process approach is something completely different from the conventional "Department wise" approach, and it is a great mistake to adopt process "within departments" alone. Such an understanding not only does not add any value, because it is the same as having an organised department wise approach- but because it deludes top management that in spite of taking the process route nothing has changed and therefore it is a useless exercise.

Really a process approach should focus on the objective to be met and then consider all the input points- which would come in from various departments at the right time, in the right form and be managed so that the end objective is met.

For example- consider the process of creating a brochure for a product X.
Marketing may initiate the process and the following may be the steps:
1. Get the various technical specifications from the Tech. department
2. Get images of the product from Tech. department
3. Get the text written by a technical writer
4. Get the brochure laid out by someone in the Arts section
5. Document control assigns a control ID and number
6. Select the printer based on their approved vendor list
7. Purchase dept. may request for a quote and select the printer with the best quote
8. Place an order
9. Get initial proof printed
10. Marketing guys proof read for correctness of information and acceptability
11.Give the "GO" for final printing
12.Receiving goods section checks for correctness of ordered quantity, does a sampling Quality check
13. Accepts the brochure into stock
14. Stores updates records

The inputs came in from so many departments and each step can be deemed complete only if the responsible department completes it. All that one can say is that "Marketing DEpt." in this example owns the outcome of the "Brochure Creation" process.

It is now very clear to me that by adopting the process approach an organisation achieves the following:

1. Every department involved is accountable for the outcome of the process it is involved in
2. A well thought out process eliminates variation by ensuring that everything that should get done gets done
3. The approach fosters a sense of belonging and cohesiveness- departmental walls are broken down and flow of information happens unhindered
4. Everyone is a winner

PHEW!!! I know I will never be the mediocre QA person that I realise I have been (in retrospect) after this revelation!!!What a high I feel right now!!!!!