Difficulties implementing a quality assurance program at a national laboratory.

摘要

Personnel who perform scientific research are highly educated, highly motivated professionals who are often leaders in their fields. A recent survey of researchers at Los Alamos shows that they like freedom and peer recognition, and dislike red tape. Rigid, prescriptive quality assurance programs are often fail because they are perceived to limit freedom and peer recognition and enhance red tape. This paper will present some of the reasons for research personnel to have rebelled against quality assurance programs and will offer suggestions for the development of a meaningful and successful quality program.