How did your quality system get so complex and redundant?
Many companies established their quality systems after having purchased a software program with a “canned” quality manual and procedures. Software companies try to subliminally sell you the concept “more is better.” Purchasing companies often don’t realize they also purchase a lot of junk that adds unnecessary complexity and length to their documentation system.

Other companies employ a management representative who over-interprets the standard so much that he or she develops a quality system that is too complex. Perhaps this is the result of management representatives being so fearful of missing something that they document everything, including how to fill the kitchen sink.

Many more efforts aren’t well-coordinated, with documents written in each department separately, while ignoring the big picture of the system approach. The result is several documents addressing the same issues (i.e. nonconforming product, identification of product, etc.) and tons of redundancy.

Other people who put your quality system together (including consultants):

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