Managing Research Quality

Abstract

The public's love affair with high technology is less intense than it used to be. Poor research and development is now seen as the source of embarrassing failures, product liability and tight regulations. RD frequently this is most easily framed in the form of a question (or series of questions) to be answered by the work. Within this framework, we believe quality R&D projects accomplish the defined objective of the research in a manner which is correct and reproducible, and efficient in budget and schedule. In this article, I will describe some of the practices we have used to try to accomplish this general goal in our projects. The Research Process To understand the principles, it is helpful to examine the generalized process. As suggested by the diagram, next page, a research begins with an interaction between the and a customer. In our practice, the term project leader is used to designate the one individual who directs the overall project, and is accountable for its results. This person will direct or perform the technical work and will be the key author of the final results. The can be an internal customer, such as a technical counterpart in another division of the company or even the leader's own management. The may also be from an outside agency that will directly use the results, or from a funding agency acting on behalf of potential users of the data. In basic research, the customer may be the himself, guiding a course of research. Having identified the customer's needs and defined the project's goals, the develops a concept for the investigation. It will be his approach to reaching the goal. This plan forms the basis for what the is going to do for the investigation. With the plan in mind, the may then initiate a series of activities that will permit the to take shape (1). If a test facility must be built or modified, the may likely obtain the assistance of a designer or design group to prepare detailed fabrication specifications and drawings. From the detailed specifications, a list of material and instrumentation that may need to be purchased is prepared. …

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