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ISO 9000
BSI REGISTERED FIRM CERTIFICATE NUMBER FM 20947
CC Electronics will continue to improve its Quality Management Systems by remodelling the existing system in line with the release of ISO 9001:2000.
Our system has matured from its first implementation as BS5750 through ISO 9002 in the 1990’s and we are working with the BSI on a two-year plan to gain full accreditation to the new standard.
We are taking this opportunity to integrate the requirements of the standard more fully into the manufacturing processes and emphasise the PLAN, DO, CHECK, ACT structure of the new standard.
Managing the Process not the Paper
It is universally agreed that having a recognised Quality Management System provides a consistent level of service to the customer. However over the years the documented system grows to incorporate new working practices, new ideas, acquired knowledge and the changes from BS5750 to ISO 9000. Within a short period of time the simplest of processes has its own paper mountain. Buried in the mountain are the nuggets of golden information that help us run an efficient process.The change to EN ISO 9001:2000 with its process based approach has given us the opportunity to put on our hard hats, grab a canary and go mining.
A typical example: Pumice Clean.
This is one of the simplest operations; clean the copper surface of the panel before laminating it with dry film. One machine, one operator controlled by fourteen pages of A4 containing 1551 words!
From this mass of documentation we have extracted the golden information and produced two pages, the Process Map and the Checklist.
The Process Map
- Shows current working practice in an easy to read format
- Reinforces the supplier/customer relationship
- Highlights in-process inspection activity
- Identifies any related documentation
- Identifies supporting functions ie laboratory analysis, control charts to plot and maintenance schedules
- Is displayed at the point of use
- Simplifies internal auditing
The Checklist
- Controls the start up, running and shut down of a process
- Includes all the process parameters in one place
- Highlights data to be recorded or plotted on a control chart
- Includes process and product checks
- Is displayed at the point of use and completed by the process owner
Example Check ListBacking up these two documents is a Training Manual. This contains much of the information in the old style work instructions but has been purged of all process parameters to prevent them becoming out of date. This is stored in the department rather than displayed on the process and is used as a reference tool to assist in training new operators.
The aim is to give the process owners all the information they need in a useable format and emphasise the important features of a process. This approach is being applied across the whole Company from Sales Quoting to Packing and Despatch and is a chance for us to look again at how we carry out a process and identify and implement improved working practices wherever possible.
