Where should quality checks take place?

The key tasks for operations managers is to identify the critical points at which the service or process need to be checked to ensure that it will conform to specifications.  These checks may be carried out at the start of the process, during the process and after the process.

At the start of the process the incoming transformed resources could be inspected to ensure that they are to the correct specification.

During the process checks may take place at any stage but there are a number of particularly critical points in the process where inspection might be important:

• Before a particularly costly part of the process
• Before a series of processes during which checking might be difficult
• Immediately after part of the process with a high defective point
• Before a part of a process that might conceal previous defects or problems
• Before a point is reached, after which rectification and recovery might be impossible
• Before potential damage or distress might be caused
• Before a change in functional responsibility

Checks will take place after the process as well to ensure that the service conforms to its specification or that customers are satisfied with service they have received.