A QMS (Qualification Management System) is a system that manages and monitors employee qualifications, certifications and compliance with relevant standards to ensure they meet the necessary requirements for their roles and responsibilities within an organisation.
QMSs are widely used in sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, aviation and other industries where certifications and qualifications are critical for safety and quality.
The system helps organisations minimise risks associated with insufficient qualifications, improves quality assurance and ensures that employees remain informed about current processes, changes and workflows.
A well-known QMS model is the PDCA model, which outlines key elements in the process:
Plan
- Identify goals and quality criteria
- Assign roles within the project
- Define procedures for evaluating the above
Check
- Are the planned goals achievable?
- Are the applicable standards being met?
- Identify and adjust any errors or deficiencies
Do
- Review the delivery process before it reaches the customer
- Measure product effectiveness and identify shortcomings
- Revisit the process as many times as necessary
Act
- Find methods for improvement
- Collect data and use it for evaluation
- Restart the cycle if the product is deficient
Source:
The term is widely used and not attributed to any specific author. The PDCA model was developed in the 1950s by William Deming.