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The Lexicon of Quality
Welcome to the Quality Management Lexicon, a comprehensive resource for exploring key concepts, methodologies, and frameworks in quality management and process improvement. This lexicon offers detailed, in-depth articles on a broad range of topics, many of which exceed 400 words and analyze multiple perspectives. Covering over 5,000 entries, it serves as a reference for professionals, researchers, and students seeking authoritative knowledge. You will find explanations of fundamental principles as well as advanced tools and techniques used in various industries. Below are examples of selected entries to give a brief insight into the content. Start exploring and enhance your understanding of modern quality management.
Internal audit
Deutsch: Interne Audit / Español: Auditoría Interna / Português: Auditoria Interna / Français: Audit Interne / Italiano: Audit Interno
An internal audit in the context of quality Management is a systematic, independent, and documented process conducted within an organisation to assess the Effectiveness, compliance, and performance of its Quality management system (QMS). The purpose is to identify gaps, ensure Alignment with established standards (e.g., ISO 9001), and promote Continuous Improvement.
Overregulation
Deutsch: Überregulierung / Español: Sobrerregulación / Português: Excesso de regulamentação / Français: Sur-réglementation / Italiano: Sovraregolamentazione
Overregulation in the quality management context refers to a situation where the volume or complexity of regulations, standards, and requirements becomes so extensive or burdensome that it negatively impacts an organization's efficiency, innovation, or ability to compete in the market. While regulations and quality standards are designed to ensure safety, reliability, and customer satisfaction, overregulation can lead to increased costs, reduced flexibility, and excessive administrative overhead for businesses trying to comply.
Overdocumentation
Deutsch: Überdokumentation / Español: Sobredocumentación / Português: Superdocumentação / Français: Surdocumentation / Italiano: Iperdocumentazione
Overdocumentation refers to the excessive creation or maintenance of documentation within quality management systems, where the volume of records, procedures, or instructions surpasses the actual requirements for compliance, operational efficiency, or risk mitigation. While documentation is a cornerstone of quality assurance, its proliferation without clear purpose can lead to inefficiencies, increased costs, and diminished usability. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in industries subject to stringent regulatory frameworks, such as pharmaceuticals, aerospace, or medical devices, where the fear of non-compliance often drives organizations to err on the side of caution.
Dosemeter
Deutsch: Dosimeter / Español: Dosímetro / Português: Dosímetro / Français: Dosimètre / Italiano: Dosimetro
In the quality management context, a dosemeter (often spelled dosimeter in English) is a device used to measure the dose or accumulated exposure to a particular agent or condition over time. In quality management, especially in industries where personnel or products are exposed to potentially harmful or controlled conditions such as radiation, chemicals, noise, or other environmental factors, dosimeters play a crucial role in ensuring safety and compliance with health and safety standards. They provide quantifiable data that can be used to assess whether the conditions meet predefined quality and safety criteria, enabling organizations to take corrective actions if necessary.