Glossary / Lexicon

Deutsch: Betrieb / Español: Operación / Português: Operação / Français: Opération / Italiano: Operazione

Operation in the quality management context refers to the actions and activities involved in producing and delivering products or services at an organization. It encompasses the practical implementation of the systems, processes, and procedures designed to meet quality standards and ensure customer satisfaction.

Description

In quality management, operations are the day-to-day activities that make up the core business functions, from the production floor to service delivery. This includes managing the supply chain, manufacturing products, providing services, and everything in between. Effective operation management ensures that an organization’s products and services are delivered efficiently, on time, and to the expected standard of quality.

Application Areas

Operations in quality management impact several critical areas of a business:

• Manufacturing and Production: Ensuring that products are manufactured under conditions that meet quality standards to prevent defects and non-compliance.
• Service Delivery: Applying quality control processes to service operations to maintain service excellence and customer satisfaction.
• Supply Chain Management: Coordinating all elements of the supply chain to enhance product quality and reliability.
• Continuous Improvement: Utilizing feedback from operational outputs to drive improvements in process and product quality.

Well-Known Examples

• Toyota Production System (TPS): This is a prime example of operational quality management where efficiency, waste reduction, and continuous improvement are fundamental principles.
• Six Sigma: Originally developed by Motorola, Six Sigma is now widely used in various industries to improve operational efficiency and quality by removing the causes of defects and minimizing variability in manufacturing and business processes.
• ISO 9001: ISO certification focuses on standardizing the criteria for a quality management system, which includes detailed guidelines for improving operational processes.

Treatment and Risks

Effectively managing operations within a quality management framework involves several considerations:

• Resource Allocation: Ensuring that there are sufficient resources (human, technological, financial) to implement quality processes effectively.
• Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating risks that could impact operational quality and compliance.
• Staff Training: Providing ongoing training and development to ensure employees are competent and can perform their roles to the standards required.
• Process Optimization: Continuously seeking ways to improve operational processes to increase efficiency and enhance quality.

Similar Terms

• Process Management: Often used interchangeably with operations management, though it specifically refers to the mapping and optimization of the business processes.
• Quality Assurance: Part of the broader domain of quality management, focusing specifically on providing confidence that quality requirements will be fulfilled.

Weblinks

• maritime-glossary.com: 'Operation' in the maritime-glossary.com
• wind-lexikon.de: 'Betrieb' in the wind-lexikon.de (German)
• information-lexikon.de: 'Operation' in the information-lexikon.de (German)
• top500.de: 'Operation' in the glossary of the top500.de
• finanzen-lexikon.de: 'Betrieb' in the finanzen-lexikon.de (German)
• umweltdatenbank.de: 'Betrieb' im Lexikon der umweltdatenbank.de (German)
• space-glossary.com: 'Operation' in the space-glossary.com
• psychology-lexicon.com: 'Operation' in the psychology-lexicon.com
• wind-lexikon.de: 'Betrieb' in the wind-lexikon.de (German)

Articles with 'Operation' in the title

• Cooperation: Cooperation in the context of quality management refers to the collaborative effort between different entities, such as departments within a company, entire organizations, suppliers, and customers, to enhance the quality of products and s . . .

Summary

In the quality management context, operation involves the execution and management of core business processes in a way that aligns with established quality standards. Effective operational management is crucial for ensuring that products and services meet customer and regulatory requirements, thereby supporting the organization's reputation and profitability. By continuously improving and adapting operational processes, organizations can enhance their efficiency, product quality, and customer satisfaction.

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