The Value of Quality Assurance

When most people think of boardroom discussions, topics like profit margins, growth strategy, innovation, and market share take center stage. But here’s a bold question I believe we must ask more often: Where is food safety and quality in those conversations? As someone who has worked across production floors, audit rooms, and executive huddles, I’ve learned firsthand that quality assurance (QA) and food safety are not just operational necessities — they are strategic imperatives. Here’s why: 1. Brand Reputation is Built (or Broken) on Quality One recall or outbreak can erode years of consumer trust — and investor confidence. QA and food safety aren’t just about compliance; they’re about protecting the brand’s legacy. 2. Food Safety is Financial Every deviation costs money — whether it’s rework, loss of product, rejected shipments, or regulatory fines. Proactive QA programs directly impact the bottom line, yet are often framed as overhead instead of strategic investments. 3. Sustainability and Quality Go Hand-in-Hand Clean label, minimal waste, ethical sourcing — these aren’t just marketing trends. They are quality-driven shifts that require QA professionals at the strategy table, guiding implementation from the start. 4. Innovation Needs Guardrails R&D might create the next big thing, but QA ensures it’s safe, scalable, and meets customer expectations. If QA is brought in too late, speed-to-market can backfire. 5. Your QA Team Has a 360° View From supplier approval to production control to customer complaints, quality teams have insights that cross silos. Why wouldn’t we want that kind of intelligence shaping company strategy? ⸻ So, Does QA Belong in the Boardroom? Yes — not just as a visitor during audits or recalls, but as a permanent seat at the table. It’s time for the food industry to rethink who we consider strategic voices. Food safety is not just a technical discipline. It’s a leadership pillar. And if we want resilient, trusted brands, it must be treated as such. ⸻ What are your thoughts? Is your QA/FSQA team part of strategic conversations or still stuck “in the back”?

QA is too often disconnected from the impact of its work. And that’s a problem. When QA does its job well, the business thrives: faster releases, better features, happier customers, more revenue. But QA teams rarely get to see that success firsthand. They’re often too far removed from the outcomes they make possible. Sales, support, marketing, and customer success teams are on the front lines. They hear directly from customers: both the praise for flawless features and the frustration when something goes wrong. QA, meanwhile, often operates in the shadows, with little visibility into the customer experience their work directly shapes. And when things go wrong? QA becomes the easy target for blame. But when things go right? The credit rarely comes back to QA. This disconnect isn’t just frustrating for QA teams: it’s BAD FOR THE BUSINESS. A QA team that doesn’t see the real-world impact of its work can’t optimize for what matters most. And without understanding how their efforts tie to business outcomes, QA risks being treated as another cost center instead of a growth driver. So, how do we fix this? 1 - Close the loop: QA teams need direct access to customer feedback. Listen to support calls. Join debriefs with sales and customer success. If possible, talk to customers directly. Seeing how QA impacts real users is a game changer. 2 - Highlight the wins: QA needs to do more than test and deliver. It needs to quantify its value: how many defects were prevented and the financial impact of it, how much faster releases are, how customer satisfaction improves with great QA. 3 - Educate the business: Take every opportunity to showcase how QA drives outcomes. Help stakeholders see QA not as a cost, but as an enabler of speed, quality, and growth. QA WORK IS CRITICAL, but it’s undervalued because it’s invisible. If we want QA to get the recognition it deserves, we need to break the silo and connect QA directly to the impact it creates. Any other ideas for bringing QA closer to its impact?

The surprising truth about quality management: It's not just about ticking boxes, it's about building a quality mindset.👇 In my years as a QA consultant and employee, I’ve worked on hundreds of projects. I’ve seen how quality management impacts companies. But here’s a surprising truth: Quality management is more transformative than most people realize. Most times people think quality management is: 1. 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗼𝘅𝗲𝘀: ↳ They think it’s just about passing audits and meeting regulations. ↳ While important, it’s just the baseline. 2. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀: ↳ They assume it’s all about identifying defects. ↳ But identifying issues is just the starting point. 3. 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀: ↳ They see it as simply testing the end product. ↳ However, true quality starts much earlier in the process. But quality management actually is: 1. 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀: ↳ It’s about involving and trusting your team in the quality process. ↳ This fosters ownership and accountability. 2. 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: ↳ It’s about creating clear, accessible procedures. ↳ This ensures consistency without overcomplication. 3. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: ↳ It’s about embedding quality in every aspect of the organization. ↳ This leads to sustainable, long-term success. 4. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: ↳ It’s about identifying and mitigating risks before they become issues. ↳ This helps prevent costly mistakes. 5. 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗨𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: ↳ It’s about using data to drive informed decisions. ↳ This ensures you’re constantly improving based on real insights. 6. 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀: ↳ It’s about aligning quality with what the customer actually values. ↳ This builds loyalty and satisfaction. 7. 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀: ↳ It’s about ensuring compliance supports, not hinders, business objectives. ↳ This keeps quality and strategy in sync. 8. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: ↳ It’s about always seeking ways to enhance processes and outcomes. ↳ This drives innovation and excellence. What are your thoughts on any of these? 💬 Remember, Quality management isn’t just a task. It is a mindset you must nurture as your business grows. P.S. ♻️ Share this to help your network understand the real value of quality management. ➕ Follow Harsh Thakkar for more on building quality into your process and systems.

Today someone asked me what to do if top management isn’t aligned with quality goals or realistic timelines. Here’s how I’ve found success in making the case to leadership when there’s a disconnect. 1️⃣ Link QA to business goals and the bottom line. Frame QA as a business enabler, not a cost center. Explain how consistent quality leads to reduced rework, fewer complaints, and stronger customer retention. Every dollar invested in QA often saves multiples in avoided failures. Speak their language - profit and loss, revenue, dollars save contributing to the bottom line. Get colleagues to say the same so you’re not the only voice. 2️⃣ Share Data-driven insights. Present metrics that show the ROI of QA initiatives. Highlight success stories where proactive QA saved time and money or where a lack of QA caused significant setbacks. Numbers speak louder than opinions. Dollars speak louder than anything. Be realistic and transparent about timelines. 3️⃣ Highlight customer impact. Nothing resonates more with leadership than customer experience. (Well, almost nothing. See #1.) Poor quality leads to damaged trust, negative reviews, and lost opportunities. Show how QA directly contributes to delivering exceptional products and services to high paying customers or clients. Better yet, get the customers to talk to top management about how important quality is to them. 4️⃣ Position QA as a partner, not the ISO gatekeeper. Quality isn’t about policing—it’s about collaborating. Emphasize that QA teams work hand-in-hand with development and operations to ensure smoother launches and better outcomes. 5️⃣ Speak their language! Executives prioritize strategic objectives (translation: making money), so present QA as a critical component of innovation, scalability, and long-term profitability. Connect quality assurance to risk mitigation and competitive advantage. Quality assurance isn’t just a process. It’s a mindset that drives excellence at every level. When top management understands this, QA becomes a strategic priority, not just a necessary “evil.” Have you faced challenges in advocating for QA within your organization? I’d love to hear how you made the case! #QualityAssurance #Leadership #BusinessSuccess #CustomerExperience #ContinuousImprovement #Myqcoach #ASQ

Stop wasting money on Quality Control... ..and start investing in Quality Assurance instead! I recognize that starting with end of the line checks is a natural first step when there are no controls or processes in place. However ↳ QC is like treating symptoms, not the disease. ↳ It catches defects AFTER they've occurred. ↳ You are paying for mistakes, not preventing them. Quality Assurance is what you need. Here's why: → It prevents defects before they happen. → It saves money in the long run. → It boosts customer satisfaction. How to start? Step 1: Map your current process ↳ Identify critical points where defects occur Step 2: Implement in-process checks ↳ Add measurement and verification steps at key points Step 3: Train operators on quality standards ↳ Empower your team to catch issues early Step 4: Use statistical process control (SPC) ↳ Monitor process performance in real-time Step 5: Establish feedback loops ↳ Use data to continuously improve your process Don't let outdated practices hold you back. Shift from reactive to proactive quality management! **** Follow me Angad S. for more!

I can’t stress this enough: In the CPG world, quality isn't just important—it's absolutely crucial! 🌟 As a food entrepreneur, diving deep into quality through GFSI frameworks like BRCGS isn't merely ticking a box for compliance—it's a game changer. Here are couple of reasons why embracing these standards is so pivotal: - Compliance and Leadership: We are certified by BRCGS, which means we meet high standards, we only work with GFSI suppliers and lead the way in making excellent products. 🌟🌟 -Proactive and Responsive Systems: Our quality systems help us quickly fix any problems and prevent them from happening again. -Consistency and Trust: Each product we create is of the highest quality, which builds trust and loyalty with our customers. -Sustainability and Efficiency: Our approach to quality helps us use less and do more, which is good for both our business and the Earth. 🌍 -Community Impact: Our high standards do more than just help us sell products; they improve the lives of people in our community and encourage good practices. -Smooth Operations: Our strong quality systems create a smooth workflow, which helps our company operate better every day. How do you manage your quality systems at your company? Are you leveraging BRCGS or exploring other standards? Let’s exchange insights and drive our industries toward sustainable success!

In the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, ensuring the highest quality standards is not just a priority; it's a necessity. Quality assurance professionals play a pivotal role in maintaining these standards, and one of their most important tools is auditing. Quality audits can contribute to business performance in the following ways: 1. Ensuring Compliance: Quality audits verify that operations adhere to regulatory requirements. Compliance minimizes legal risks, ensuring business continuity. 2. Enhancing Product/Service Quality: Audits identify areas for improvement in manufacturing and production processes. Improved product/service quality leads to higher customer satisfaction and ensures patient safety. 3. Risk Mitigation: Audits uncover potential risks and vulnerabilities. Addressing these risks proactively prevents costly disruptions and higher costs later. 4. Process Optimization: Auditors identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks in operations. Optimized processes lead to cost savings and improved productivity. 5. Continuous Improvement: Audits foster a culture of continuous improvement. Regular assessments can drive innovation and better business practices. 6. Supplier Relationships: Audits assess the performance of suppliers and contractors. Strong supplier relationships ensure a consistent supply of high-quality materials and services. 7. Data-Driven Decision Making: Audits provide data and insights for informed decision-making. Data-driven strategies lead to better resource allocation and risk management. In a sector where lives depend on the highest standards, quality audits are not just a regulatory requirement; they are a strategic imperative. What are some other benefits you can think of? Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments. #qualityassurance #regulatorycompliance #auditing

A January 23, 2025 article on Quality Magazine’s website entitled “Embedded Quality: Create Competitive Advantage and Customer Delight” includes excellent perspectives on companies’ relationships with their quality organizations, the importance of working closely with business partners from the earliest stages of product development and the quality function operating as a success-enabling partner. Author Nils Nugteren writes, “For chief quality leaders the main objective is to partner effectively with business leaders and help them not just build quality into what they’re trying to achieve, but also help them achieve their business outcomes.” Nugteren also points out how expectations for those in our profession have changed, saying “…quality leaders can impact not just compliance, but deliver results to shareholders, other stakeholders and most importantly to customers,” as well as facing dual “…pressure to reduce both the cost of poor quality and the cost of good quality.” The need to develop quantifiable metrics to ensure quality systems are performing as intended and are on a trajectory of continuous improvement is also emphasized in the article as a way to ensure an organization is enabling business success. The Quality & Regulatory Affairs (Q&RA) professionals at Thermo Fisher Scientific continue to strengthen what the article describes as a “culture where quality is not an afterthought or a checkbox but an intrinsic part of daily operations that contributes directly to business success.” #thermofisher #QualityProfessionals #QualityAssurance #RegulatoryAffairs #QARA #Regulatory #Quality #Compliance 

🚨 Far too often, companies treat quality as a product, or maybe even a service, issue. But as Tompkins Ventures Business Partner David M. Williams, CSCP, CPA, CC makes clear in his new blog, quality failures in processes, controls and systems open the floodgates to supply chain waste, compliance issues and operational risk. David is an expert in supply chain risk management, and he lays out a powerful case for the importance of embedding quality into your supply chain risk management program. He shows how to: ✅ Link quality to risk identification and mitigation ✅ Align systems and software with business goals ✅ Turn risk management into a competitive edge If you want to manage disruption with confidence, start here. 🔗 Read the blog: https://lnkd.in/eJNxyZWd #QualityMatters #SupplyChain #RiskManagement #AgileSupplyChain #SupplyChainRisk