On 25 January the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) and Chartered Management Institute (CMI) announced that they are joining forces to investigate the use of Quality Management Systems and their return on investment.
As the UK embarks on another year of economic uncertainty, employers and businesses are nervous about what 2012 has in store. The joint research, due to be published in the first half of 2012, will provide certainty on the cost benefits of quality management systems in such uncertain times.
Both organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in London yesterday to cement the new partnership created to explore the current types of Quality Management Systems used widely by businesses in the UK. Additionally, together they will look at how these processes lead to increased productivity and performance, through a sustainable approach to delivery.
Speaking at the signing of the agreement Simon Feary, Chief Executive of the Chartered Quality Institute, said:
“We’re delighted to be working together with the CMI to spread the message about the vital role that quality management plays in building more productive, efficient and sustainable organisations. The research that we are conducting together will, for the first time, attribute an economic value to quality management, in terms of its return on investment for organisations and the wider UK economy. Given the stark economic realities everyone is facing, demonstrating how, using quality management systems we can all do things better, for less, and become more competitive as a result, couldn’t come at more critical time.”
Christopher Kinsella, Acting Chief Executive of the Chartered Management Institute, added:
“In a tough economic climate, businesses will look to reduce budgets where they can. Any organisation, be it private, public or third, will being reviewing their return on investment on any spending decisions they make. Redundancy and an economic struggle leads to more stress in the workplace and managers being overworked, yet in many instances they are still expected to deliver the same levels of productivity. This leads to a culture of cutting corners, thus reducing the quality of products and services unless manageable processes and protocols are in place. We are delighted to be working alongside the CQI to investigate Quality Management Systems in more detail and work together to highlight what works most effectively in this area – especially given the forecast for businesses and managers in 2012.”
Notes to editors
- The Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) is a professional membership body which exists to advance education and knowledge of the practice of quality in industry, commerce, and the public and voluntary sectors. The CQI has a professional membership of 10,000 and its courses and qualifications provide the industry standard for quality professionals, training in the region of 1,000 quality professionals every year.
- The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) is the only chartered professional body in the UK dedicated to promoting the highest standards of management and leadership excellence. CMI is the guardian of the National Occupational Standards for Management and Leadership and sets the standards that others follow. Through in-depth research and policy surveys of its 86,000 individual and 450 corporate members, CMI maintains its position as the premier authority on key management and leadership issues.