I am a Quality Assurance (QA) specialist in quality management systems (QMS) such as ISO 9001: 2015. I go to the gym. I’m not a gym junkie or a fitness freak. It’s a good habit that I have formed and the exercise makes me feel good. (And I am yet to experience an adrenaline rush). I love drawing parallels different aspects of my life, and so here’s a parallel about my role in quality assurance and the types of exercises that I perform at the gym.
A QA Fitness Enthusiast – Does That Really Exist?
Yes. You could split the words – QA Enthusiast and a Fitness Enthusiast. Drawing a parallel between QA and physical fitness, QMS and ISO standards mirror the disciplined exercise routine individuals follow at the gym. Just as exercises strengthens bodies, adhering to ISO standards enhances organisational health and overall excellence.
ISO 9001 and Exercises
Here’s how the QMS principles align with various exercises I perform when I go to the gym, how it strengthens the core of organisations and promotes continuous improvement:
- RPM on a Stationary Bike is Like Precision Documentation: Maintaining the steady revolutions per minute on a stationary bike equates to precise documentation in a good QMS. QA specialists like me ensure meticulous records, processes, and procedures, making sure there is operational consistency is being performed.
- Core Exercises is Like Process Integration: Just as core exercises strengthen stability, a well implemented QMS promotes process integration at an organisation’s core. This integration promotes balanced business functionality, enhanced efficiency, and operational stability.
- Pump Exercises Can Be Likened to Resource Management: Pump exercises focus on endurance which in the QMS addresses efficient resource management, optimising asset utilisation (e.g., staff, equipment) to maximise productivity and resilience.
- Strength Training Aiming For Continuous Improvement: Like strength training in a gym, QA specialists like me will use the QMS to promote continuous improvement. Regular process and outcome reviews will enhance the flexibility, strength, and evolution of the organisation.
- HIIT & Rapid Response to Changes: High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) accelerates fitness gains. Similarly, implementing a QMS like ISO 9001 enables organisations to swiftly respond to changes, whilst maintaining operational agility and effectiveness.
- Body Balance Exercises For Stakeholder Satisfaction: Just as balance exercises ensure stability, the QMS centres on stakeholder satisfaction. Organisations maintain equilibrium by consistently delivering quality that exceeds customer and stakeholder expectations.
Exercising with Assurance: Quality in Fitness Regimes
Just like an exercise regime, implementing and maintaining a robust QMS, it may be hard and painful at the beginning, but it pays off in the long run. Well-structured exercise regimens shape a healthier body, and so adhering to the ISO standards in a QMS shapes organisations into being more resilient, efficient, and responsive. As a passionate QA specialist, I can sculpt organisations that thrive in a dynamic business landscape, fostering excellence and endurance.