Quality Manual

As ever when you inherit a system from someone else, it's not the way you would have done it.

In my old workplace I had a quality manual which referenced documents (procedures, policies etc) where needed. So the quality manual was perhaps 20 pages long, no more.

I've come into a company which has all the procedures contained within the quality manual. Fortunately each sub section is a different document but still, it's annoying. With the new version 6 BRC at my old place I could have rewritten and renumbered the sections and done so in a day perhaps. With this system I'm looking at a month minimum and with all the other work to do it feels like a monumental waste of time. My sense of perfectionism though just won't let it go!

So what are you all doing with version 6? Spending the time working on your QM or working on the stuff which is at the front line? I am doing the latter but a big part of me wants to get my QM perfect too.

I'm a perfectionist. It's an illness.

I know how you feel.....

I have started a place and the quality manaual needs so much simplifying. Group has decided to write the QA Manual based on Tesco Standards which then refers to the brc section. So for instance Section 1 of the BRC Senior Management commitment is found in section 21 & 35 of the manual rather than a breif what we do under the section.

Nightmare or what......

Hi GMO,

it depend's for which reason you shall redesign your Quality Manual. BRC does not require to renumber the documentation with change to v.6 so you may do it if you find it usefull for your document users. But it shall be not required by auditors, who shall judge if your system covers all BRC v.6 requirents ant these are implemented, but shall not take care about the structure of documents, its numbering etc.

Regards,

Miroslav

Like you I would be trying very hard to focus on the important stuff whilst freaking out about the manual. Over the years I have learnt that I can't change the way I am so I would spend time on the manual and sleep better at night. Probably not the right answer but it works for me!

I too have the illness!!

GMO,

I think we all have faced this dilemna!

Use your gap analysis index to create a "cross reference" to the newer Standard. Simply add this new index to your documentation. It will serve two distinct purposes. First, it IS a gap analysis, identifying any lapses. Secondly, it serves nicely as a solid cross-reference during subsequent audits. You can amend your procedures as you have time and simply keep the index updated until/if you complete your overall re-write. Such an index is also very usefull in training/guiding internal auditors to ensure adequate review.

RLG