The traditional quality inspection process, often used in Asia especially, is laborious, error-prone, and time-consuming.
In this post I’ll outline 6 common fails found in the ‘old way’ of performing quality inspections, and the solutions to them provided by using a modern QC report software…
Are Your Quality Inspection Processes Stuck In The Past?
Many quality managers suffer from the following 6 common fails that are down to their quality inspection process being ‘old fashioned.’ If you find yourself agreeing that you are seeing these, then it may be time to look towards the future for solutions.
Let’s get started.
Fail 1 – Inspection dates keep changing
Do you see that your quality manager or supervisor is spending many hours every week confirming the dates with factories? They exchange emails and maybe Excel files, it all gets consolidated into one file, and this cycle is repeated over and over. Some factories are unsure of the date until the day before!
Software Solution
Ideally, all parties would use the same quality inspection software and interact with the same database that contains data importer from your ERP. Suppliers would request a change, and your quality manager would simply confirm it.
Fail 2 – Hard to allocate inspectors
This is tightly linked to the previous step. If the dates keep changing, the allocation also keeps changing!
Fail 3 – Errors in getting all the information into the inspectors’ hands
It can be quite time-consuming to keep information organized while communicating it by email. And there are always risks of errors – forgetting to attach a file, erasing an email that was actually important, and so on.
Software Solution
A good software solution for quality inspectors keep files and data organized and presents them at the point of use – right where the inspector needs to see that information.
Fail 4 – Unsure whether products are being counted and checked correctly
That’s when things can get very wrong and very expensive for the buying side. Quality managers generally ask themselves these questions about each inspector:
- Will he do the job carefully, or expedite it in order to get back home earlier?
- Will he follow the right procedure, or take shortcuts?
- Will he ‘negotiate’ with the factory managers if serious issues are found?
Software Solution
By working on a mobile quality inspection app that records all information, most of these risks can be evaluated. No more second-guessing!
Fail 5: Preparing and sending out the report is very time-consuming
How long does it take your field staff to prepare their report(s), every day? 45 minutes? 1 hour? That’s quite typical.
In addition, in case many details have to be checked (and reported), it is quite hard to check more than 2 or 3 models (SKUs) in the same day. The time to prepare the report balloons quickly out of control!
Software Solution
The good side of using QC report software that collects information as the job gets done is, the report is ready as soon as it’s over! It can be shared right away with colleagues.
Fail 6: Following up on serious issues gets confusing
If you are a typical quality manager or operations manager, you have difficulties keeping track of all the improvement that are necessary. You can’t get all the suppliers to present properly-prepared and executed corrective action plans. And you can’t keep sending them emails, and sending auditors/engineers, to ensure the changes are effective.
Software Solution
Specialized quality inspection software can help if it keeps a list of all open issues and allows for the suppliers to submit an improvement plan (including photos/videos that show the improvement is effective).
Conclusion
Your quality inspection process doesn’t need to stay in the 20th Century, and you don’t need to keep failing.
By implementing quality inspection software which helps remove human error from inspections, makes inspectors accountable for their work, and helps management see results instantly, there will be less likelihood of inspectors letting defective goods pass; what’s more, management of inspection teams will become faster, more transparent, and more effective.
Ready to learn more about how dedicated inspection software benefits importers like you?
Hit the button below to take a look at our infographic!
Do you suffer from any of these quality inspection issues? What solutions have you tried to implement to improve your inspection results, or management? Please share your experiences, questions, or problems as a comment for our community; we’ll be delighted to answer!
