World Quality Week (WQW) is annually observed across the globe on the 2nd week of November to recognise the achievements of quality professionals, reflect on the successes and challenges of the past year, and share best practices for ensuring quality in all areas of lives.
- WQW serves as a platform to recognise and celebrate the efforts of individuals and organisations that are committed to delivering high-quality products and services.
WQW 2023 is observed from 6 to 10 November 2023.
- WQW 2022 was observed from 7 to 11 November 2022 and WQW 2024 will be observed from 4 to 8 November 2024.
The theme of WQW 2023 is “Quality: realising your competitive potential“.
- WQW is a flagship brand awareness campaign of the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI), to celebrate the quality management profession globally.
Background:
i.The Chartered Quality Institute (CQI), a business entity in London, the United Kingdom (UK), observed the 2nd Thursday of November every year as World Quality Day.
ii.In 2021, the CQI expanded the one-day event of quality management “World Quality Day” into a week-long celebration “World Quality Week”.
- Since 2021, CQI has been celebrating WQW during the 2nd week of November.
Note: The CQI is also in charge of the International Register of Certified Auditors (IRCA).
Quality Management System (QMS):
i.QMS is defined as a formalised system that documents processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving quality policies and objectives.
ii.A QMS helps coordinate and direct an organisation’s activities to meet customer and regulatory requirements and improve its effectiveness and efficiency continuously.
iii.ISO 9001 is the international standard that specifies requirements for a QMS.
iv.It helps organisations to improve their performance, meets customer expectations, and demonstrate their commitment to quality.
7 Quality Management Principles of ISO 9001:
- Customer focus
- Engagement of people
- Leadership
- Process approach
- Improvement
- Evidence-based decision making
- Relationship management
Points to note:
ISO: The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an international nongovernmental organization made up of national standards bodies; it develops and publishes a wide range of proprietary, industrial, and commercial standards
BIS:Â Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the National Standard Body of India.
About Chartered Quality Institute (CQI):
The CQI is the professional body for experts in improving product, project, and service quality and is incorporated by Royal Charter.
President– Lord Jamie Lindsay
Headquarters– London, The United Kingdom(UK)
Established in– 1919