10 ways to outsource quality assurance for added …...10 ways to outsource quality assurance for...

8
10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added Value Benefits & Value: 1. Supplier selection 2. Supplier development 3. Supplier performance 4. Corporate social responsibility 5. Product specifications 6. Sample collection 7. Product testing 8. On-site inspections 9. Order control 10.Corrective action Pro QC International has provided quality control and engineering solutions for over three decades. Whether we're testing products, auditing suppliers, inspecting shipments or managing corrective actions, our skilled team of QA professionals represents the quality interests of our clients at factories worldwide. www.proqc.com

Upload: others

Post on 22-Jan-2020

6 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: 10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added …...10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added Value 2 Benefits of Quality Successfully incorporating quality into corporate-wide

10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added Value

Benefits & Value:

1. Supplier selection 2. Supplier development 3. Supplier performance 4. Corporate social

responsibility 5. Product specifications 6. Sample collection 7. Product testing 8. On-site inspections 9. Order control

10.Corrective action

Pro QC International has provided quality control and engineering

solutions for over three decades. Whether we're testing products,

auditing suppliers, inspecting shipments or managing corrective

actions, our skilled team of QA professionals represents the quality

interests of our clients at factories worldwide.

www.proqc.com

Page 2: 10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added …...10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added Value 2 Benefits of Quality Successfully incorporating quality into corporate-wide

10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added Value 2

Benefits of Quality

Successfully incorporating quality into corporate-wide practices will cost you less, not more, and reaps some fairly distinguishable benefits.

• A decrease in costs due to less

reworking, consequently producing less scrap.

• An improvement in productivity due to less time spent on reworking.

• An improvement in cycle time due to less time spent on correcting mistakes and more time being spent on value-added activities.

• A competitive advantage that supports a solid brand and positive public perception.

• Increased employee satisfaction and retention (reduction in costs associated with turnover).

• An overall improvement in service.

What is a 3PQ? A Third-Party Quality Provider acts as an extension of your organization, offering local resources that leverage industry expertise and reduce quality risks and cost.

Page 3: 10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added …...10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added Value 2 Benefits of Quality Successfully incorporating quality into corporate-wide

10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added Value 3

10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added Value 1. Supplier Identification & Selection The process of supplier selection is made easier with detailed audit reports from comprehensive on-site assessments. Experienced, local auditors conduct unbiased evaluations and provide invaluable feedback that’s useful in the decision making process. A local team can also research potential suppliers and expedite the screening process according to specific requirements.

Supplier Capability & Qualification – Auditors survey potential suppliers and provide feedback regarding general operations, quality systems, qualifications and capabilities. This critical information aids in determining if the supplier is a viable source and potential partner.

Supplier Process Control & Quality System – Auditors evaluate all manufacturing process control systems. Audits cover several areas, including evaluations of management, quality control methods, non-conforming materials, production, corrective action and inspection and test equipment.

2. Supplier Development

At Pro QC, one of our primary services is Supplier Development. In this partnership, we assist clients by evaluating suppliers on-site and conducting assessments that vary based on industry and/or other requirements. Process analysis and root cause tools are used to troubleshoot and support continuous improvement.

We advocate third-party assessment here to gain the benefits of auditor experience and objectivity. Experienced auditors provide detailed reports that can be used in the evaluation process. In addition, corrective action items are often noted and checked during follow-up or during a regularly scheduled assessment.

Supplier development incorporates a variety of services and quality tools to create solutions that are customized to specific corrective action and continuous improvement efforts.

Page 4: 10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added …...10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added Value 2 Benefits of Quality Successfully incorporating quality into corporate-wide

10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added Value 4

3. Supplier Performance (Factory Audits) Evaluating supplier performance allows process and management nonconformance to be identified before issues occur. A proactive approach identifies corrective action that reduces the occurrence of potential shipment delays or poor quality product. Factory audits are often related to one or more specific industry standards such as ISO 9001, TS 16949, ISO 13485, etc. Even when certification is required, a preliminary assessment by a non-certifying third-party can reduce the time and cost related to preparing the facility to pass final audits in a timely manner.

4. Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability Aside from reducing quality risks and cost, ensuring social responsibility improves quality of life and ultimately affects the quality of products being produced as well. 80% of CEOs recently surveyed agree that ensuring social responsibility contributes to long-term success. Environmental leadership is considered compatible with good returns. Local expertise is particularly beneficial when conducting social responsibility and/or sustainability audits. In addition to the language advantage during interviews with employees and management, knowledge of local regulations is necessary. Standards including SA 8000, ISO 26000 and ISO 14000 are generally incorporated into SR audits. A social responsibility audit can be included in a general systems audit for an added level of assurance.

Social Responsibility – These evaluations focus on health and safety, discrimination, disciplinary practices, working hours, compensation, management practices, forced labor, freedom of association and child labor laws.

Sustainability – These evaluations combine elements of key standards along with additional elements covering energy usage, renewable energy, greenhouse gas emissions, materials and waste reduction, life cycle management, supplier’s supply chain activities and more.

Page 5: 10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added …...10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added Value 2 Benefits of Quality Successfully incorporating quality into corporate-wide

10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added Value 5

5. Product Specifications An important component of product quality is knowing your product. And, that requires detailed specifications that identify exactly how the item(s) should be produced and packaged. What characteristics of the product are required for it to meet or exceed expectations?

Product specifications should include defect details with classifications that later link to accept/reject determinations during QC checks. They also clarify the acceptable quality levels and expectations for the supplier.

Outsourcing the development of detailed product specifications to an organization with experienced local quality professionals reduces language and translation related issues. Quality engineers are also adept at identifying key product characteristics and are familiar with various specifications related to the products in different countries.

6. Sample Collection When requesting samples for testing or other evaluation, it is important to ensure they are randomly selected and representative of the production lot. Having a local presence allows a quality professional to inexpensively visit the factory and select random samples on your behalf. Samples can be forwarded to any destination with assurance.

Ask us for sample reports for any

service!

Page 6: 10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added …...10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added Value 2 Benefits of Quality Successfully incorporating quality into corporate-wide

10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added Value 6

7. Product Testing Product testing has multiple applications, from determining if the specifications are being met to troubleshooting various issues. Using applicable regional and/or industry related standards to measure the product’s properties and evaluate performance provides assurance of quality throughout the production process. Used as a proactive strategy, applicable product testing can avoid costly delays and rework down the line. Experienced engineers use applicable and regionally specific standards, such as ASTM, IEC or ANSI specifications, to conduct various in-house and on-site testing. A variety of testing services may be required where the purchase of costly equipment and/or technical expertise are necessary: • Mechanical Testing • Electrical Testing • Special Testing • Environmental and Weathering Testing

8. On-Site Inspections

Product quality checked by qualified engineers throughout the production cycle provides maximum assurance.

Pre-production, in-process (30-50% produced/packaged) and final pre-shipment inspections (100% produced-80% packaged) are conducted to determine if the product matches the specifications provided.

Product inspections offer the following benefits:

• Avoids unnecessary reengineering work later. • Confirms important quantity verification. • Checks packaging integrity to avoid costly

damage during transit. • Reduces overall quality risks and cost.

Page 7: 10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added …...10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added Value 2 Benefits of Quality Successfully incorporating quality into corporate-wide

10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added Value 7

9. Order Control Delays in shipment are not uncommon, but preventable nonetheless. There are several possible causes for shipment delays, including:

• Delays in shipment of raw materials or

components to the assembly factory. • Factory equipment malfunction. • Human resource issues. • Logistics (freight forwarder) delays. • Incorrect order quantity loaded (partial shipment). • Product gets held in Customs.

With production order monitoring and expediting by a third-party, organizations have an on-site presence. At Pro QC, we work closely with organizations and their suppliers to support timely deliveries. We measure and report on progress to meet shipping schedule commitments.

When the shipment is ready to load, counts are verified to ensure the order is accurate.

10. Corrective Action (Continuous Improvement) Corrective action seeks to eliminate the causes of nonconformities in order to prevent recurrence. It effectively resolves product manufacturing issues. Corrective action incorporates corrective action investigation, corrective action planning and corrective action verification. Corrective action is a key component of continuous improvement efforts.

Our Mission:

“The Pro QC Global Team enables our customers to project their interests in quality and conformance. Anywhere. Anytime.”

Page 8: 10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added …...10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added Value 2 Benefits of Quality Successfully incorporating quality into corporate-wide

10 Ways to Outsource Quality Assurance for Added Value 8

More Information