The first action the quality manager should take when upgrading an inspection process that has not been changed in several years is to conduct a process analysis using resources from within the company. This involves thoroughly examining the existing process, identifying areas for improvement, and gathering data to understand the current state. By involving internal resources, the organization can leverage its own expertise and knowledge to assess the process, identify bottlenecks, and determine where enhancements are needed. This approach ensures that the analysis is tailored to the specific context of the company and allows for a more effective and efficient upgrade. Once the process analysis is complete, the quality manager can then explore other improvement options, such as benchmarking or automation, if necessary1.

References:

The ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence Handbook, Fifth Edition2.

ASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) Body of Knowledge (BoK)1.