A recent study of internal quality assurance functions found that hybridized quality structures provide the most reliable outcomes. “Improving the Quality Function: Driving Organizational Impact & Efficiency,” performed by Best Practices LLC, concludes that companies that use at least three quality tools or methodologies have 100-percent organizational model effectiveness in decreasing consumer risk, and 93-percent effectiveness in avoiding regulatory fines and citations. Importantly, the study reveals that successful quality structures don’t require huge staffs—companies in the study’s top quartile for staffing level performance had fewer than 14 quality full-time employees per 1,000 companywide full-time employees.

The study also found that critical-to-quality measures are becoming an important link in driving the quality and risk management guidelines. The most successful companies implement a proactive—rather than reactive—approach to risk management. Proactive companies have tool and processes in place to ensure the early identification and quick resolution of potential problems.

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