Here's how you can master quality assurance and quality control processes to become a subject matter expert.

To master quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC), gain a deep understanding of QA/QC principles, methodologies, and industry standards. Pursue relevant certifications like Six Sigma or ISO. Continuously update your knowledge through courses, workshops, and industry publications. Gain hands-on experience by working on diverse projects and focusing on different aspects of QA/QC. Develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and address quality issues. Foster collaboration and communication with cross-functional teams to ensure quality standards are met. Regularly review and refine processes based on feedback and new insights to stay ahead in the field.

Before you can master Quality you must have a full understanding, through knowledge and experience. You want to have an understanding of industry standards, and keep up with changes. You must have an understanding of specific tools used in both QA and QC. Keep up to dated on Quality principles, methodologies and tools. Keep updated by reading, attending seminars, or having meetings with your Quality teams. Quality, either Quality Assurance or Quality Control are demanding and Satisfying.

The tools are important. Using simply but effective methods such as the Demings Model (Plan Do Check Act) can really develop continuous incremental qualitative change. The focus can be simple the identification of the gaps between what should be happening Vs actually happening and the maximization of opportunities: EG what are we not doing that we should be doing? Developing a bottom up approach to quality is the way to go. Provide the teams with the understanding of -Goals -Plans -Standards -Expectations is hugely important. Without which there can be little expectation of qualitative development

According to my perspective one requires the constant will to learn and work with enthusiasm in relevant department. One needs to see beyond scope of work in parallel departments. Communicate with cross functional team, involve in discussion and investigations. Get urself updated with current regulatory insight and work for betterment of process in a innovative patient centric way. Last but not the least gudiance, opportunity to step up from the priors/seniors is cherry on the cake.

Concordo que antes de tentar implementar e usar ferramentas como FMEA, SPC; que a área da qualidade a depender da maturidade do seu SGQ inicie esse trabalho com ferramentas mais simples como Brainstorm, check list, fluxogramas, 5porques. O mais importante é que essas ferramentas sejam muito bem implementadas com treinamento e uso constante para ades?o de todos na empresa e n?o somente a GQ. Podemos come?ar pelas 7 QA tools, só refor?o a importancia da GQ conhecer a empresa que atua, a maturidade do SGQ e que a depender inicie o uso de ferramentas mais friendly para ter maior ades?o das áreas. A GQ deve incentivar que as ferramentas sejam usadas por todos e n?o somente pela GQ.

I suggest to begin with Seven Basic QC Tools (Graphs, Check Sheets, Pareto Analysis, Histogram, Cause & Effect Diagram, Scatter Diagram and Control Charts) which you need to learn and master to monitor/measure and improve quality control processes. You can either use MS Excel or software like Minitab or JMP for this purpose. Moreover, once you understand process stability through the application of control charts then you should master process capability studies. Again you can use software Minitab or JMP for this purpose.

Statistic analysis based on actual data can contribute towards fault analysis and ultimately to point out defects in the product if any.

Certainly learn tools, but don't be a tool head. 'Lean' for example I think is full of tool heads; they think learning and mindlessly applying tools will do everything. I think learning tools comes a little further down the line than No.2

Applying QC and QA tools to quality planning and execution is crucial to ensuring that products and services meet customer requirements and expectations. While QC focuses more on detecting and correcting defects, QA focuses on preventing problems and ensuring that processes are being followed correctly. Together, these tools promote the delivery of high-quality products and customer satisfaction, as well as contributing to operational efficiency and reducing costs associated with failures and rework.

You can learn a lot from a technical point of view however its time to learn from hands on experience. Performing the Quality task from experience will allow you to understand quality management. You will be in such a position to make proper decisions. You will be in position to apply the proper applications, principles, and tools to use.

Sim! Experiência na prática é tudo Aumente sua experiência praticando os 7 princípios da qualidade: Foco no cliente - visite os clientes, entenda suas expectativas e necessidades; Lideran?a- participe de projetos multidisciplinares inspirando as pessoas a fazerem bem o essencial ao longo de qualquer processo; Engajamento das pessoas - para engajar outras áreas as escute ativamente, entenda e trabalhe em parceria mostrando o quanto a qualidade (n?o a área da qualidade??) é importante; Abordagem de processo - sempre analisamos processo, padronizamos processos e engajamos as pessoas através de processos bem implementados, vá acompanhar esses processos na prática; Decis?o baseada em evidência e Melhoria = PDCA.

The best way to gain experience in quality, is to audit your own role no matter which discipline one might be in. This will lead you to be cautious and reduce errors.

Gaining experience in the industry require: Pursue a degree in food science, food technology, nutrition, microbiology, or a related field. Obtain certifications relevant to food safety and quality management, HACCP, SQF, FSPCA, or ISO 22000. Join professional organizations such as the IFT, IAFP, or FQA. Attend conferences, workshops, and seminars to meet industry professionals. Take advantage of online courses and webinars focusing on food safety, quality management systems, and regulatory compliance. Keep up with industry trends, regulations, and best practices by reading journals, articles, and news from reputable sources in the food safety and quality management field. Seek out a mentor who is experienced in the industry.

Absolutely. You must gain experience, this is probably more important in the first instance than learning tools straight away. Experience will help you select an appropriate tool; which might not be (and why should it?) from the model you are implementing.

I've seen firsthand how a well-implemented QMS transforms organizations. In my 23+ years in Oil & Gas and Mining, I've witnessed how a robust QMS ensures consistency, efficiency, and compliance. Mastering QMS development, deployment, and maintenance is crucial. It's the backbone of quality management, and ISO 9001 certification is the gold standard. Trust me, it's worth the investment.

ISO 9001:2015 remains the most widely used standard worldwide for quality management system (QMS), however, numerous sector-specific standards cater to industry needs ensuring products and services meet stringent quality requirements. You should also master sector-specific standards for industry in which you are working such as AS9100 - Aerospace Quality Management, IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Management Systems, TL9000 (Telecom), ISO 13485 - Medical Devices Quality Management, ISO 22000 - Food Safety Management etc. Mastering sector-specific standards will increase your ability to implement and oversee a comprehensive quality management systems (QMS).

To master quality assurance and become a subject matter expert, proficiency in implementing a comprehensive Quality Management System (QMS) is essential. A QMS documents processes, procedures, and responsibilities, aligning with standards like ISO 9001. This ensures consistent quality throughout the software lifecycle. Key steps include process documentation, role clarity, and technology integration. Continuous improvement through metrics and risk management is crucial. Your ability to oversee a QMS reflects your expertise in maintaining high quality and creating a culture of excellence within your organization.

Success in quality management hinges on mastering QMS implementation. Developing, deploying, and maintaining a system aligned with standards like ISO 9001 has been a cornerstone of my career. It's a structured way to document processes and responsibilities, ensuring consistent quality. Overseeing a QMS not only showcases expertise but also cements a commitment to excellence.

If you are implementing QA 'a process-oriented approach' you will be starting to implement systems by default. However you do need to remain aware of required processes in the system model you are following.

To become a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Quality Assurance and Quality Control, my experience of over 20 years has taught me that continuous learning is essential. This involves: -Staying informed about regulations, understanding, and practically implementing them in companies. -Taking courses that provide practical experiences, especially those with input from regulatory bodies. -Participating in workshops and seminars. -Benchmarking other companies to evaluate challenges and explore new ideas. In summary, in my opinion, staying up-to-date is the key to becoming an SME in this field

As perMy 32 experience in Quality & QMS system , upgrade of QMs is never ending story, you should maintain & upgrade the QMS on daily basis with respect to your stakeholder requirements.

Continuous learning in quality management is not just about staying current with industry trends; it’s about fostering a mindset of curiosity and innovation. The regulatory landscape and quality standards are dynamic, and those who commit to lifelong learning are better equipped to navigate these changes. Engaging in ongoing education allows you to integrate new methodologies and technologies into your practice, ensuring that your approach remains effective. This proactive stance not only enhances your own capabilities but also drives the overall improvement of the organization. By embracing continuous learning, you demonstrate a commitment to excellence.

Continuous Learning is a given. This will come with experience and exposure to different QA / QC / QI models giving you the ability to utilise the 'best bits' of models other than the one you are working under if appropriate.

Un punto clave que pocas veces se considera en cualquier departamento de calidad, es la falta de información respecto al valor de los productos producidos, ya que en estos departamentos suele mandar la regla de “mejor calidad, mejor producto” y sabemos que no siempre es así. Pasar de un producto de calidad 9 a 9.5 es quizás tan malo como pasar de 9 a 8.5. Esto se explica debido a la perdida de productividad y materia prima en la elaboración del producto final, pero sobre todo, perdida de beneficios económicos ya que elaborar un producto con estándares mas altos, no garantiza una mayor retribución económica.

It is equally important to spread the message of quality throughout the organization at the grass root level also . Apart from maintaining various quality standards like ISO 9000 ,14000 etc frequent quality audits , internal as well as external are required to ensure that quality standards and tolerances are maintained within permissible limit . Simultaneously continuous process improvement is also needed to achieve higher quality standards .

In my opinion, networking might be the most underrated tool utilized to further develop one’s skills in QMS (Quality Management Systems) and becoming a SME (Subject Matter Expert) in the industry. Attend conferences, webinars, seminars, and professional development courses. Connect with your local university, food processing plants, and join technical review teams to drive continuous improvement among the industry. While it may be uncomfortable for many, networking is crucial in navigating the industry.

Networking é essencial para aprimorar seus conhecimentos em gerenciamento de qualidade. Participe de organiza??es profissionais, conferências do setor e fóruns online. Isso permite compartilhar conhecimento, discutir desafios e aprender com as experiências de outros. Além de insights valiosos, o networking abre portas para colabora??es e crescimento profissional.

One of the important aspect to become a SME is applying your learnings, understandings and experiences in a practical form to visualise the effect of application of quality concepts. Practising quality concepts holds adequate merit as quality has also to be seen in your product or service. Quality should be SME’s way of work and culture. The more your practice quality concepts the more you refine them and in the process you discover practical aspects associated with implementation of quality concepts in your workplace. By practising quality concepts you also invoke a continuous improvement factor by exploring new opportunities in quality field to achieve optimum value in your product (or service or business)

Start from the existing processes and talk to the people who actually live those processes daily. They are your biggest supporters. If you manage to convince them to work with you, they will boost your continuous improvement.

I do not consider myself a subject matter expert in Quality but what I do is keep learning new tools for data analytics, problem solving and updated regulations and industry practices. In todays dynamic world of manufacturing you have to be ready to address many problems involving new manufacturing process or technolgy so you should be ready to embrace the change and adapt quickly by strenghtening the basic concepts of QC tools , QMS, ISO , IATF et.al to be able to solve problem and improve your QA network accordingly.

QA and QC are two different phase, therefore its understanding is must. Both need to work in different direction, QC need to focus on inspection method, SPC to check trend, based on data forecast confidence etc. While QA focus on process , impact of each parameters and identify the gap in the process through FMEA, Process Audit, RCA etc. To gain experience in both field, one need to spend time in both areas specially QA as it will help in strategic management decisions.

Quality audits , internal and external both are needed at frequent intervals alongwith continuous process improvements . Various simple charts like bar , gnat charts , standard deviations can be plotted at management level to see the daily deviations if any in quality .