The ability to make appropriate decisions for a given problem is essential to achieving and maintaining a quality product or service.
This is why being able to identify problems and take a factual approach to decision making is so important to quality management.
This ensures that you arrive at effective decisions through analysis of data rather than by pure intuition.
While intuitive decisions have their place, factual approach is more applicable to quality management because non-conformances pose a big risk to compliance.
Factual versus intuitive approach
The factual approach should be applied for decisions that necessitate corrective action after a nonconformity as well as preventive actions when a potential nonconformity may arise.
Intuitive decisions should be applied in instances where a certain amount of risk is involved, such as a product launch, new service or financial decisions that could result in rewards.
3 Benefits of Factual Decision Making in Quality Management
Factual decision making has three key benefits within the quality management process:
- The ability to make decisions based on circumstances requiring action.
- Enhanced ability to prove the efficiency of previous decisions through reference to factual records.
- Enhanced ability to evaluate, challenge and alter opinions and decisions.
5 Steps in the Factual Approach to Decision Making
The factual approach is a principle that can be used in any aspect of business to ensure sensible and practical decision making. It is well suited to quality management because it is data driven and leaves little room for error.
Each step of the factual approach to decision making is related to one of the most important principles of quality management – corrective and preventative action (CAPA).
These steps aid organizations to implement the best strategies for decision making across the board.
Step 1: Define the problem
Define the problem that requires the decision-making process. This could be anything from a non-conformance to customer complaint.
Also define the expected outcome so the goal of the decision-making process is clearly stated for everyone involved.
Step 2: Collect relevant data
Collect data and facts that are applicable to the problem and the objective to begin the decision-making process.
Make sure that the data and facts are correct, reliable and accessible to all parties concerned in the decision-making process.
Step 3: Analyze the data
Analyze the data and facts using binding procedures and methods to ensure an effective overview of facts for everyone involved.
Verify that the suspected causes of the problem were correct and measure any changes in the interim that might affect the outcome of the decision-making process.
Step 4: Use this data to brainstorm solutions
The outcomes of this analysis will be the building blocks you use to brainstorm solutions to the issue.
Create hypothetical maps of the solution and the likely outcomes when applied to choose the best solution for your scenario.
Step 5: Implement decisions and measure outcomes
Implement decisions and take appropriate action based on the outcomes of valid analysis balanced with knowledge and insight.
Measure the success of the changes over time and constantly monitor the outcomes to see if the decision was correct. This will inform future decision making.
How isoTracker can help the decision-making process
Used as part of your organization’s quality management strategy, the factual approach to decision making will ensure that all decisions are made using the most effective means possible, thereby ensuring a greater level of improvement across the organization.
At isoTracker, our quality management software provides a centralized system to support factual decision making and the running of an efficient quality management system. Get full access with our 60-day free trial and see how the factual approach to decision making influences quality management.
