The past two years have accelerated numerous quality management trends, from adoption of digital technologies to a greater prioritization of risk.
In 2022, it’s predicted that businesses will enter a phase of longer-term decision making. They’ll be figuring out which pandemic-related changes to keep for the long run and which technologies best meet business needs.
Here’s an overview of core 2022 quality management trends.
Evolving management of risks posed by a hybrid workforce
The hybrid workforce that we now have brings opportunities. However, there are associated risks that must be managed and mitigated in order to reap those opportunities.
Businesses increasingly understand what the risks are and how to adapt risk plans to address them. A 2021 PwC Survey found the risks associated with hybrid workplaces and remote working that concern company leaders the most, in descending order, are:
- innovation opportunities
- different treatment of onsite versus remote workers
- impact of hybrid work on revenue growth
- effective cybersecurity measures
- sufficient technology tools to support hybrid work.
Risk plans must continuously be assessed, adapted and monitored to identify and manage new risks posed by a hybrid workforce.
Merging of environmental health and safety (EHS) and quality functions
Many quality professionals increasingly have a role in environmental health and safety (EHS). A dual role is particularly common in certain industries, such as the food & beverage, consumer goods and chemical sectors.
Typically, quality and EHS solutions are separate tools that work together. But, as quality and EHS roles merge, professionals want a single software solution that handles both quality and EHS.
Broad adoption of cloud-based QMS software
The pandemic has increased the urgency for companies to manage risk and move forward with digital transformation. Companies are broadly adopting cloud-based QMS software. As remote audits become increasingly important, this is invaluable.
These investments alleviate a range of challenges, especially those related to supplier management. Companies are looking for a QMS solution with a supplier portal that handles documents, audits and supplier scoring.
Greater focus on supplier and third-party management
Personal interactions with third parties took a knock during the pandemic. Online interactions have become the new norm.
At the same time, there’s a growing awareness of the importance of collaborative business relationship management. For smaller businesses in particular, healthy relationships with suppliers, partners, distributor and retailers can be key to surviving uncertain times.
A number of factors that occurred during the pandemic have driven a greater focus on supplier and third-party management, including:
- supply disruptions
- greater awareness of risk
- a greater ability of businesses (even small ones) to manage quality across their supply chains using cloud-based systems
- increasing frequency and severity of risk posed by product recalls.
Role of quality in managing cybersecurity risks
Cybersecurity is an increased concern for almost all businesses, especially those that have transitioned to hybrid workplaces.
For quality professionals, these risks can’t be ignored in quality systems, processes or audits, which call for strategic, risk-based thinking.
isoTracker’s cloud-based QMS
isoTracker offers a modular quality management software system that helps businesses address key quality management trends.
Our cloud-based software is well suited to the hybrid workplace. It’s cloud-based and centralized, offering secure remote access from anywhere in the world. It’s quick to set up, intuitive and affordable for small to medium companies.
Contact us to find out more or to discuss your company’s needs. Alternatively, go ahead and sign up for a free 60-day trial of isoTracker’s quality management software.
