Quality management system
A quality management system is the linked policies, processes, responsibilities and evidence used to direct and control an organisation regarding quality. It can support consistent requirements, review and improvement across activities. A system may be assessed against an applicable standard, but certification and actual performance are different issues. Avoid assuming that extensive documentation itself creates quality or that one standard covers every product-specific technical requirement.
Worked example
A business links customer requirements, supplier approval, production controls, incident handling and management review, then checks whether the system reduces failures.
Common mistake
Certification of a management system is not a blanket product guarantee or proof that every customer is satisfied.
Where it appears in your exams
| Qualification | Exam | Relationship | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCA | APM | Supporting | September 2026–June 2027 |