BS5750 quality assurance system-a knowledge based approach tosystem audit and implementation

摘要

British Standard BS5750 describes the requirements for setting upand maintaining an effective quality assurance system. This paperdescribes a structured and knowledge-based approach which may be used toidentify, and highlight in advance, the basic problems which couldinhibit the effective implementation and ongoing maintenance of BS5750quality systems. The developed knowledge base is based on a decisiontree approach, whereby structured questions are asked to establishwhether the necessary pre-requisites for implementation and maintenanceare satisfied. The knowledge base also highlights the implications ofnot satisfying a particular pre-requisite and the corrective action thatshould be taken. A rating system has also been designed to assess thelevel of non-compliance with BS5750. The complete knowledge-based systemis designed to allow the management to decide on the need for correctiveaction which should be taken to ensure compliance with the standard. Itcan also be used on an ongoing basis to check that the pre-requisitescontinue to be satisfied