An algorithm for design of quality assurance systems for various manufacturing environments

Summary form only given. The factors which were chosen for this study are: process method; company size; nature of products, product complexity, manufacturing strategy, plant layout; production method; and materials and production management. In order to understand the quality assurance requirements of different companies, in addition to the literature review, a survey was conducted on 150 UK companies known to be successful and competitive, and therefore assumed to have good quality systems. Data was gathered to investigate those factors, both generic and business type or company specific, which can affect the design of a quality assurance information system. The results of the study showed that there is some commonality of features between different classes of companies. Accordingly, it was possible to develop an ISO9000 based generic structural model incorporating all common quality based functions and information requirements. This generic model can be used as a base for designing quality assurance systems for various manufacturing industries. The results also showed, with regard to business profile characteristics, that there are specific relationships between some profile factors and some quality functions. The whole set of results were summarised in an algorithm. The algorithm is used in the formulation of the knowledge base of a Knowledge-based Decision System (KBDS) for the design of company-wide quality assurance information systems to suit the specific requirements of various business profiles and manufacturing strategies