kvalitetsmanagement

Quality management, or kvalitetsmanagement, refers to the coordinated activities to direct and control an organization with regard to quality. It encompasses the planning, assurance, control, and improvement of processes to meet customer requirements and to enhance satisfaction. The aim is to create a consistent, repeatable approach to producing a product or delivering a service that is fit for its intended purpose.

Historically, quality management evolved from statistical quality control and quality assurance practices in manufacturing. The work of quality pioneers such as Walter A. Shewhart, W. Edwards Deming, and Joseph Juran laid the foundations for systematic process improvement. Modern quality management is often organized around the ISO 9000 family of standards, with ISO 9001 defining the requirements for a quality management system (QMS). Certification is voluntary but widely used to demonstrate capability and reliability.

Key principles commonly associated with quality management include a strong customer focus, leadership, engagement of people, a process approach, improvement, evidence-based decision making, and relationship management. Organizations typically implement a quality management system that documents the quality policy, quality objectives, and the processes and resources needed to achieve them. Core components include process mapping and control, performance measurement, internal audits, and management reviews. The PDCA (plan–do–check–act) cycle is a central method for driving continuous improvement, often complemented by risk-based thinking.

Quality management benefits organizations by reducing defects, increasing efficiency, ensuring regulatory compliance, and improving customer satisfaction and competitiveness. Challenges include balancing necessary documentation with agility and fostering a culture that embraces continuous improvement.