Object Oriented Quality Management

The Object-Oriented Quality Management (OQM) model originates from Statistics Netherlands (SN). SN developed this model because existing models did not meet their criteria. These criteria were:
* Easy to understand
* Applicable at any scale
* Applicable in any domain
* Applicable in any (part of the) organization
* Efficient implementation and maintenance
* Risk based approach
Objects
An important concept of the OQM model is, that an organization and its environment can be decomposed in objects. These objects interact with each other and need to have a certain quality. Examples of these objects are: customers, products, services, processes, staff, information systems, housing, and suppliers. The name of the model is derived from this concept.
Characteristics
Each object has its own set of characteristics. Characteristics of staff are e.g. competence, integrity, mobility, availability, accessibility and productivity. Processes have totally different characteristics like effectiveness, efficiency, duration and complexity.
Quality
Quality is the OQM model defined as: all characteristics of an object. An object can be a thing, a person, a concept, an activity. Every noun where the words "the quality of .." can be added can be seen as an object. This is a more neutral definition than "fit for use" or "according to specifications".
Quality areas
A combination of an object and one characteristic is called a quality area e.g. competence of staff and efficiency of processes. The concept of quality areas is key in the OQM model. Quality areas determine the scope of the quality management system of an organization. Goal of the quality management system is to be in control of each quality area selected.
Determine the right measures for each quality area
To be able to determine what measure the user of the model has to take, certain questions can be answered for each quality area. These questions are:
# What is the definition of quality area X?
# How are the responsibilities distributed regarding quality area X? Who is the owner?
# How important is quality area X for realizing the goals of the organization?
# What are the relationships with other quality areas? On what quality areas is quality area X dependant?
# What is the history of the quality area? What are failures and successes in the past?
# What are the requirement for quality area X? Qualitative and/or quantitative?
# What are current of expected problems with quality area X?
# What are causes of problems with quality area X?
# What are the effects for the organization of problems with quality area X?
# What are opportunities for the organization regarding quality area X?
# Which indicators are possible and are implemented or planned ?
# Which measures are possible and are implemented or planned?
# Are you in control of the quality area? Are the requirements met? Is the residual risk acceptable? If you are not in control now, when?
# What additional indicators and measures are required?
Most important questions are the last three questions. They cannot be omitted.
Applications of the model
The OQM model can be applied for many purposes because it is part of the family of "empty" models. It does not contain prescription, criteria, principles, rules, recommendation, requirements, etcetera. These applications are:
* Total Quality Management where quality areas are chosen organization wide.
* Compiling knowledge on quality of a certain object e.g. staff.
* Organizing a quality day for a department, selecting the most important quality areas for this department.
* Structuring a self-assessment checklist.
* Developing a course about quality.
* Determining the scope of a public of private framework.

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