2006 © Copyright Ask Art Solutions 905-593-8867 Mississauga, Ontario
5.6 Management Review
5.6.1 General
ÞTop Management must:
ÞPerform reviews of the QMS
ÞConduct these reviews at planned intervals
ÞEnsure that the QMS continues to be suitable, adequate and effective
ÞAssess opportunities to improve the QMS
ÞEvaluate the need for any changes to QMS, quality policy and objectives
ÞMaintain records of management reviews
5.6.2 Review Input
Management review input must include information on:
a) Results of audits (see clause 8.2.2)
b) Customer feedback (see clause 8.2.1)
c) Process performance and product conformity (clause 8.2.3 and 8.2.4)
d) Status of preventive and corrective actions ( 8.5.2 and 8.5.3)
e) Follow-up actions from previous mgmt reviews ( 5.6)
f) Changes that could affect the QMS (5.4.2)
g) Recommendations for improvements (8.5.1)
5.6.3 Review Output
The output from management review must include any decisions and actions related to:
a)Improvement of effectiveness of the QMS and its processes
b)Improvement of product related to customer requirements
c)Resource needs
Key Explanation Points and Tips:
ÞThe purpose of conducting management reviews of the QMS is to gauge the health of the QMS. The review must determine QMS suitability, adequacy and effectiveness. Are the QMS resources and controls that were planned and implemented suitable and adequate for the QMS to be effective in achieving customer and regulatory requirements; and in achieving quality objectives? Are changes needed to improve product, processes and use of resources?
ÞIt would be logical to have a process for management review as it has specific requirements for management review inputs, value-adding review activities and outputs. The process should address the frequency, schedule, quorum and agenda for review meetings to be attended by top management.
ÞFor the management review process itself to be effective, top management must plan the review all agenda items with some regularity and take timely action to change or improve any part of it, including the quality policy and objectives. To avoid problems on frequency and scope of review, an effective way would be incorporate QMS agenda items into regular monthly or quarterly operational meetings.
ÞThe agenda items in clause 5.6.2 will be discussed in detail under various other clauses as they come up. For example most of clause 5.6.2 agenda items come up in clause 8.
ÞManagement review input should preferably be in summary form, showing QMS and operational performance measured against the business and quality plans, customer and regulatory objectives and goals. Appropriate actions must result from such reviews.
ÞReview decisions and actions must relate to improving products and processes or even creating new ones; providing more resources or perhaps improving the efficiency of existing resources; improving QMS controls; policies and objectives; and improving overall QMS effectiveness and customer satisfaction.
ÞResponsibilities and timelines should accompany these decisions and actions. The performance of these actions must be followed up at subsequent management review meetings.
ÞPerformance indicators to measure the effectiveness of the management review process could include - achievement of quality objectives and improvement in customer satisfaction rating (see QMS objectives under clause 5.4.1 notes).
ÞClause 5.6 does not require a ‘documented’ procedure. However, you must identify and document the management review process as part of your QMS (see clause 4.1). You must also identify what specific documents are needed for effective planning, operation and control of this process (see clause 4.2.1d). These documents may include - a documented procedure; review schedule; agenda and action forms; etc., combined with unwritten practices, procedures and methods.
ÞManagement review records must include topics discussed; decisions; responsibilities for corrective or improvement actions and related timelines; provision of resources; and follow-up actions from previous management reviews.
