Computer supported visualisation of quality systems developed by network teams.

Area of Science:

• Quality Management
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Information Visualization

Background:

• Traditional quality systems, often paper-based, can be difficult to navigate and engage personnel.
• The ISO 9000 quality standard provides a framework that may benefit from enhanced visualization techniques.
• Digital platforms offer potential for more dynamic and accessible quality management information.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of visualizing quality systems based on the ISO 9000 standard.
• To explore effective design principles for visualizing quality systems to support continuous improvement.
• To evaluate the design process of developing prototypes for visualized quality systems.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study and three case studies were conducted with companies in southern Sweden.
• Design teams were formed within companies to establish visualization principles for their intranets.
• Computer-supported prototypes were developed and evaluated collaboratively, with idea exchange facilitated via the internet.

Main Results:

• Quality systems can be effectively visualized using digital methods.
• Companies preferred visualizations of physical plant layouts with hyperlinked symbols for further information.
• Computer-supported visualization significantly improves understandability and personnel engagement in quality work.

Conclusions:

• Visualized quality systems are more user-friendly, faster, and engaging than paper-based systems.
• The collaborative design process, enhanced by internet-based idea exchange, proved beneficial for developing effective visualizations.
• Implementing visualized quality systems can lead to more dynamic and accessible quality management.