Creating a quality assurance function and a quality culture in a research and development organization

Initial experience in defining and institutionalizing a QA (quality assurance) function and creating a quality culture is reviewed. The problems of increasing awareness of quality and dealing with technical aspects of quality assurance, as well as the effect that creating a QA function has on both end-product quality and employee motivation, are discussed. The strategy for shaping the culture (values, beliefs, and actions) of the organization to be in total alignment with a quality approach is reviewed. The intent is to help others avoid the pitfalls and achieve the successes experienced in establishing a QA function and a quality culture.<>