The genesis of this book is over two decades of experience working with leaders who struggle with the concept of Quality Management System (QMS). Often, leaders fail to understand this concept, implement ineffective QMS models and subsequently are disrupted from their roles. More important and even more impactful are the consequences a poorly designed and executed QMS model has on organizational stakeholders including customers.

The purpose of this book is to provide a simple leadership quick guide for designing high-performing Quality Management System models. This guide will focus on Quality Management System assessment, structure, process and achieving outcomes through practical real-world tools, templates, and models. The test of any model is its outcomes. This book will provide decades of insight so leaders ensure their QMS model Solves Problems, Achieves Outcomes, Sustains Wins, and Transforms Organizational Outcomes in High-Risk Environments.

The intended audience for this book includes but is not limited to: top executives, governance members, leaders of any rank, thought leaders, strategists, students, performance improvement leaders, change agents, teachers, and anyone interested in quality, improvement, strategy, and leadership. Regardless of role, organization type, or industry, quality matters and is a focal point for customers. Thus, those leading the charge for excellence in this arena must have a good structure, process, and measurable outcomes sustained over time.

So, why is this topic important? In today’s world, change is the new normal and only constant. In many industries, such as healthcare for example, the foundations of the industries themselves are shaking greater than at any other time in history. As change grows, so does the associated risk and disruption. How will leaders and their organizations succeed in high-risk environments without a good foundation? The short answer is they won’t. The starting point for success is the Quality Management System.

By reading this book, readers will learn:

• How to construct a well-defined Quality Management System (QMS)
• How to identify and counter common misperceptions of QMS
• Techniques to engage other leaders in crucial conversations related to QMS gaps, illusions of success, perceived and real shortcomings, and measures of success
• How to conduct a basic and advanced assessment of Quality Management System models to determine what is working, what is not working, and high-risk areas to improve
• The required structural elements of high-performing QMS models
• A wholistic approach to the QMS process
• What measures constitute QMS success