Quality Management Systems (QMS) are crucial for businesses to remain competitive in today's global market. With the fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0, on the rise, incorporating Quality 4.0 and cognitive engineering strategies into QMS is becoming increasingly important. Quality 4.0 utilizes technology from Industry 4.0 to improve quality and emphasizes the importance of data collection and analysis, while cognitive engineering focuses on analyzing, designing, and assessing complex systems involving humans and technology. The challenge lies in integrating cutting-edge technologies with established QMS practices and enhancing them with cognitive engineering techniques.
One paper discusses how cognitive engineering practices can be integrated into QMS to improve the decision-making abilities of human operators in complex manufacturing environments. The paper emphasizes the importance of a risk-oriented approach in QMS, and an Electronic QMS (EQMS) can automate workflows, improve data integrity, and promote collaboration. The paper also explores the concept of Quality 4.0, which simplifies monitoring practices and automates digital processes. Organizations must employ an organizational strategy centered on continual growth and provide training to develop new abilities for quality professionals to remain competitive.
Another paper discusses how organizations can improve their quality and regulatory methods by integrating Quality 4.0 and Industry 4.0 tools with their QMS practices. The authors developed a framework to assist companies in better assessing their enforcement procedures and identifying growth potential. They used a mixed inductive-deductive approach to review the literature on Industry 4.0, Quality 4.0, Cognitive Engineering, and QMS tools and technologies. The authors recommend that organizations target areas where QMS practices will benefit from cognitive engineering techniques the most, focus on the core tools of Industry/Quality 4.0 most relevant to the QMS practices, and align Industry/Quality 4.0 objectives with QMS/Business Goals enhanced with the cognitive engineering basis.
The relationship between QMS practices and Industry 4.0 tools is the focus of another paper. The paper presents a diagram that links QMS practices with Industry 4.0 tools to help organizations achieve a Quality 4.0 ready QMS. The use of cognitive engineering can also have an influence on QMS practices by implementing techniques that enhance human performance. The complexity of supply chains and outsourcing of manufacturing facilities has made building a standardized QMS more difficult, leading to the necessity of a more robust QMS supported by the concept of Quality 4.0.
Technological breakthroughs have changed quality management practices, but implementing Quality 4.0 initiatives can be challenging due to a lack of digital quality expertise. A new framework proposed in another paper blends cutting-edge technologies with established QMS practices enhanced by cognitive engineering to achieve operational excellence, boost productivity, and promote innovation. The framework includes seven I4.0/Q4.0 tools, such as data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, which interact with QMS practices and are influenced by capabilities acquired from CE techniques. The aim of the framework is to simplify the application of new technologies to QMS activities and enable a broader perspective of all processes, services, and products delivered.
In conclusion, incorporating Quality 4.0 and cognitive engineering strategies into QMS is essential for businesses to remain competitive in the global market. While integrating cutting-edge technologies with established QMS practices enhanced by cognitive engineering can be challenging, frameworks have been proposed to assist companies in better assessing their enforcement procedures and identifying growth potential. Organizations must target areas where QMS practices will benefit from cognitive engineering techniques the most, focus on the core tools of Industry/Quality 4.0 most relevant to the QMS practices, and align Industry/Quality 4.0 objectives with QMS/Business Goals enhanced with the cognitive engineering basis to achieve operational excellence, boost productivity, and promote innovation.
Authors
Carvalho, A. V., & Lima, T. M. (2022). Quality 4.0 and Cognitive Engineering Applied to Quality Management Systems: A Framework. Applied System Innovation, 5(6), 115. https://doi.org/10.3390/asi5060115