Quality 4.0 Requires New Capabilities
Quality 4.0 represents the evolution of the traditional approach to quality, extending the scope of its processes and requiring new capabilities from companies and their operators.
What are the foundational elements of Quality 4.0, and what new capabilities are required? The basic elements have already been identified in another article , discussing Quality 4.0 as a topic for the CEO's table. Connectivity and connection, data, and analytics are certainly indispensable conditions for the very concept of Quality 4.0.
In reality, they are not sufficient conditions, as additional factors must be added to the primary ones to achieve a truly modern approach.
Collaboration: The ability of people and systems to collaborate is a foundational point of the Quality 4.0 approach, which is inherently cross-functional and global. Communication via email and paper systems is typical of an outdated approach when methods of communication and collaboration that allow real-time operation are available. Collaboration systems and interconnection between machines and humans that enable these methods are still not widespread and are estimated to be present in no more than 20% of companies.
Scalability : Quality 4.0 systems are certainly based on the ability to process large volumes of data, which can be subject to sudden increases. The fragmentation of information systems is currently one of the biggest obstacles to integration between machines, and it is clear that integration leads to an increase in the amount of data to be processed.
Quality Management Systems Despite the progress made by markets in recent years in adopting EQMS (Electronic Quality Management Systems), many companies, not just Italian ones, still lag significantly. The existence of these systems is fundamental to collect data from connected systems, harmonize it with the control system, and subsequently interpret it. Quality 4.0 is an approach based primarily on data and analytics, as well as connectivity. The basic principles lose their meaning and undermine the Quality 4.0 approach without management systems.
Compliance In an increasingly regulated world, compliance is among the main objectives of Quality Managers and CEOs to ensure the highest product reliability and prevent reputational risks. The Quality 4.0 approach makes it possible to automate a series of compliance-related controls, reducing its costs and limiting the risks of regulatory violations.
Quality 4.0 Culture : A true Quality 4.0 approach can only be achieved through a deep quality culture embedded in the company's DNA and the professional profiles of all managers and employees. This is especially important due to the cross-functional nature of the Quality 4.0 approach and the fact that quality processes become more visible, connected, and relevant. The cultural aspect is undoubtedly a frontier on which many companies encounter obstacles, especially in making cross-functional teams understand the impact of quality on the success of the strategy.
Leadership : The strength of corporate leadership and the various functions involved in Quality 4.0 is a guarantee of success, primarily in defining objectives. This is the final level where Quality 4.0 surpasses the traditional approach. From a functional system to a cross-functional system to a leadership system.
Competence 4.0 : Less mature organizations rely on individuals who voluntarily share knowledge and experiences. In 4.0 systems, the exchange and transmission of competencies are structurally enforced and supported by management systems, with over 50% of companies stating that training is the most critical process for their success.
The Quality 4.0 approach is thus based on a series of foundational aspects that can be driven and facilitated by the presence of information systems dedicated to quality, such as Quarta Software.
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