Quality Standard
Understanding, defining, implementing, and adhering to agreed-upon standards and benchmarks for quality in products, services, or processes.
Proficiency Level
Level 1 (Follow)
- Consistently follows documented quality procedures and work instructions relevant to their tasks.
- Uses basic quality checklists to verify that their own work meets predefined, simple quality criteria.
- Reports defects or deviations from quality standards accurately using specified methods.
Level 2 (Assist)
- Assists quality assurance personnel by performing specific quality checks or tests based on predefined test plans or criteria.
- Helps document quality results, non-conformances, or test outcomes accurately under guidance.
- Supports the maintenance of quality records or documentation.
Level 3 (Apply)
- Applies relevant quality standards (e.g., specific ISO 9001 clauses, internal coding standards, service level targets) consistently within their area of work or project.
- Performs defined quality assurance activities, such as peer reviews, inspections, or testing, for their deliverables or those of their immediate team.
- Identifies deviations from quality standards, analyses basic root causes, and suggests corrective actions.
Level 4 (Ensure)
- Implements and manages quality management processes or systems for a specific project, team, product, or service area.
- Defines relevant quality metrics, monitors quality performance, and analyses trends to identify improvement opportunities.
- Ensures compliance with applicable internal and external quality standards (e.g., conducting internal audits, preparing for external audits).
Level 5 (Strategise)
- Develops the organisation's overall quality strategy, policy, objectives, and Quality Management System (QMS).
- Champions a proactive quality culture throughout the organisation, integrating quality principles into all processes.
- Determines which quality standards or certifications (e.g., ISO 9001, CMMI) are strategically important for the organisation and oversees their implementation and maintenance.