An overview of Quality Management System implementation in a research laboratory

• Published in: International journal of metrology and quality engineering Vol. 9; p. 2
• Main Authors: Molinéro-Demilly, Valérie, Charki, Abdérafi, Jeoffrion, Christine, Lyonnet, Barbara, O'Brien, Steve, Martin, Luc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Les Ulis EDP Sciences 2018; EDP sciences
• Subjects: Agronomy; Engineering schools; Engineering Sciences; Horticulture; Humanities and Social Sciences; ISO standards; Laboratories; machinery; management; Manpower; materials; measurement; Measurement methods; methods; mother-nature; Process controls; Qualitative research; quality; Quality management; reliability; Wood preservatives; management; materials; methods; Quality; reliability; mother-nature; manpower; measurement; research; machinery
• ISSN: 2107-6847; 2107-6839; 2107-6847
• DOI: 10.1051/ijmqe/2017025

The aim of this paper is to show the advantages of implementing a Quality Management System (QMS) in a research laboratory in order to improve the management of risks specific to research programmes and to increase the reliability of results. This paper also presents experience gained from feedback following the implementation of the Quality process in a research laboratory at INRA, the French National Institute for Agronomic Research and details the various challenges encountered and solutions proposed to help achieve smoother adoption of a QMS process. The 7Ms (Management, Measurement, Manpower, Methods, Materials, Machinery, Mother-nature) methodology based on the Ishikawa ‘Fishbone’ diagram is used to show the effectiveness of the actions considered by a QMS, which involve both the organization and the activities of the laboratory. Practical examples illustrate the benefits and improvements observed in the laboratory.