QM Software Evaluation & Implementation – SAQ Event Summary

We would like to thank the SAQ section Zürich for their authorization to reuse some photos and content from their article published in the Management & Qualität review in December 2019. The original article can be downloaded below in original German language.

Last Fall 2019, the Swiss Association for Quality (SAQ, Zürich section) has organized an event about QM software evaluation and implementation.

The Swiss company Rolf Hänggi AG – specialized in the manufacture of high-precision micro-stamped and formed parts – was invited to present their QM software evaluation process and how they have implemented BPA’s Quality and Risk Management software.

The event started with a short survey. Almost half of those present still have a paper-based QM system. Amazing – when sales departments have long been working with modern CRM solutions. It is therefore questionable why QM departments have not yet made the transition to digitization.

Mr. Maradan, Production Manager at Rolf Hänggi AG, outlined the key functional points for selecting the right software. Needs were registered in details from complaint management to opportunity and risk treatment while securing the organizational knowledge. Attention was also paid to the software integration with the existing IT infrastructure.

Love at first sight

Various software providers were evaluated based on the need analysis criteria. It quickly became clear that the needs of Rolf Hänggi AG could only be met with BPA Quality & Risk Management. BPA Solutions develops flexible solutions based on Microsoft SharePoint. “After a short training, employees managed to independently map their specific requirements in the software in just six months. It was love at first sight that continues today”.

And what about the software evaluation?

The response from Mr. Maradan was clear. The less the company is aware of its needs, the more it will subordinate itself to the limits of the software. Without a thorough needs analysis – detached from potential vendors – clarity cannot be reached. Energy and time should therefore be invested in a clean needs analysis rather than theoretical evaluations.

How was the software implemented?

Rolf Hänggi AG used a classic top-down system for the implementation of the BPA Quality & Risk Management Software: In a first phase, the context of the organization was determined and measures were derived. Process owners pictured their processes and defined KPIs. With the defined basic structure, all important support processes were added in a second phase. In the last phase, supplier management and customer satisfaction processes were integrated. As a results from all modules, the management review report can now be produced by pushing a button.

Lessons learned

In the final question and answer session, someone noticed that everything sounded so positive that it could be a sales presentation. Following the organizer, Mr. Maradan stated that he would train the workforce in quality management at an early stage for a comparable project so that it could be implemented even more efficiently.

>> Download the SAQ Article (PDF, German)