Do you have an idea about how to begin a quality improvement project? Are you wondering how an unfunded Customer flowdown will affect your business? Yep, it will; however, you don’t have to go for it alone…! Apply one of our kits to get the paperwork right. Remember the old saying: If the paperwork is right, the product is right…?
Reading Time: 5 minutes – Updated November 2025 to keep up or fall behind.
Key Realization Processes and Applicable QMS Procedures
The process map is an overview of a typical business operation.
FYI: Industry standards for quality management are process oriented, where each process has inputs and outputs. Follow the arrows in the flowchart to visualize how to begin a quality improvement project. From the beginning at “Business Plan and Objective”. To the end at “Shipping” and “Billing” your Customer.
Consider the first step in the improvement project: Convene a management meeting to document “commitment” that will engage “change management”. Also consider other agenda items in the Management Meeting Report form (not essential at this time). Management will post their commitment as an output from the meeting after an all-hands-on-deck get together to launch the initiative.
Top management will validate their commitment to cement the fact that change is underway. Without validation, there is a fatal flaw in the how to begin a quality improvement project.
Schedule changes according to an implementation schedule. Pro-rate dates to define milestones for completion of work activities that implement your Company’s desired or mandated quality program.
The next step in the how to begin a quality improvement project is to complete a Change Order. A clear signal that management has authorized the adoption of the quality program.
These work activities are a component of how to create a quality control plan. Part of the overall effort to adapt requirements according to the core values of the Company.
Management will create the directive and change order as the first records that demonstrate commitment. Its a business decision to send copies to a Customer. Management meetings help to brainstorm priorities during the change process. Management demonstrates continuous improvement by recording meeting minutes.
Another initiative activity to focus attention on is an area or process that really needs some TLC. An area that will return the most on investment of time and attention. Take advantage of momentum at the start of the project. Key personnel know where they need resources and/or where they can clarify documented information that is begging for support. Change management for the quality program is no better time to clarify and document work activities.
The KISS Principle is another tool that helps to keep work operations simple rather than complex.
Apply the 5S/6S organization method to discover improvement opportunities.
Learn more at where to start a quality control system to enhance your knowledge about how to begin a quality improvement project.
How to begin a quality improvement project continued…
Read the entire quality handbook (from one of our kits) to understand the scope of the improvement project (takes months to write a complete QMS). Make a notation whenever the handbook refers to a procedure or form for later review. During review of the handbook, only skim through referenced documents to maintain attention on the handbook.
The Quality Program Representative or assigned Facilitator completes the 1st half of the internal audit after review of the handbook. Refer to paragraph numbers in the quality handbook to answer questions related to policies by the internal audit. Then focus on questions related to procedures in the audit. Answer all questions asked by the audit to complete the 1st half. That is, connect the dots between requirements and Company policies/procedures.
Answer audit questions by referring to paragraph numbers from the quality handbook and/or procedures referenced by the handbook. The handbook summarizes Company policies, and is a “short story” about how to begin a quality improvement project.
The internal audit is also an implementation guide for any quality program.
The 2nd half of the internal audit is the primary focus of attention to discover gaps in conformity. Those gaps become action items for corrective action by assigned Responsible Authorities. Complete the 2nd half of the audit by referring to records and testimony that demonstrate conformity with requirements.
FYI: The Auditors need records that demonstrate conformity with quality program requirements to enable an audit. Use forms referenced in new policies and procedures to create records for the audit.
When your team completes the 2nd half of the internal audit, its time to celebrate because that signals affirmative control. The whole team has paved that rough path taken to learn how to begin a quality improvement project.
The results of the 2nd half of audit lays the foundation for closure of observations and findings. Dedicate 30 days or so to corrective actions to prepare for a confirmation audit. Successful closure of action items discovered by the confirmation audit is a signal to assert compliance with the desired or mandated quality program.
During the above process, you will learn how to begin a quality improvement project, which will also help to facilitate change management with Employees. Time to celebrate again because your team has enabled your quality improvement project.
A pre-assessment by a qualified Registrar will validate assertion of compliance prior to performing the QMS certification audit – an insurance policy. All are welcome to pay for an audit as often as desired.
If the Company’s goal is to earn a QMS pedigree, consider contracting with a qualified Registrar as soon as the improvement project begins. The Registrar will fine tune how to begin a quality improvement project.