Participants:
B.
A. Huber CEA-Grenoble
H.
Lebius CEA-Grenoble
Ö.
Skeppstedt MSL Stockholm
T.
Tzouros University of Crete
R.
Duc CEA-Saclay
M.
Reynier Bertin Technologies
Jean
Paul Imbert AFNOR Lyon
Goal of this meeting was to gain an insight into the
terminology and meaning of quality systems, to examine the benefits for our
network, for the running of the installations and forbasic research, and to
decide how to introduce in quality in the next annual meeting in Berlin.
Time-table:
9-10 discussion among the LEIF-members
10-12
meeting
with Marc Reynier, Bertin Technologies, for ‘Quality in Basic Research’
12-14
lunch
14-16
meeting
with Jean-Paul Imbert, AFNOR, for ‘Quality, especially regarding ISO 9000’
16-17 final discussion of the LEIF members
The central part of the discussion centered around
the framework for quality in basic research, developed by the DSM of the CEA. A
trial run applying ISO 9000 in a laboratory in basic research showed that this
set of quality standards is not applicable to basic research as it is not
likely to be accepted by the researchers. Therefore it was necessary to develop
out of the basic ideas of quality management a framework which is flexible
enough to be applied in basic research. This work was done in the last 3 to 4
years. A parallel development by the ISO committee for the so-called ISO
9000-2000 standard yielded similar results.
The center of these frameworks is the clear
definition of needs. After defining these needs a quality framework can be set
up, whose rules can be refined by checking their efficiency. No predefined
rules can be given, as the needs and also the working habits are different in
different environments and for different goals. The definition of reasonable
rules has to be done by the actors themselves.
This new flexibility demands a reflection on our
side regarding our needs in the network. Örjan Skeppstedt agreed to sample
the needs in different installations of the network concerning the running of
infrastructures.
The typical cycle for the installment of a quality
system is as follows: identification of key parameters for the fulfillment of
the needs, definition of the appropriate quality criteria, validation,
application, control and eventual change of these quality criteria.
A couple of common sense rules were discussed. These
rules should be reasonable, e.g. the additional work should be in relation to
the conceived benefits. They should be chosen by the team before the beginning
of the project. Afterwards they should be applied rigorously when necessary.
For example documentation should be limited in quantity and distribution to the
strict necessary to avoid too many information for too many people hindering
the actual work. Each project manager is responsible for quality.
One of the core pieces of quality systems is the
group of corrective action, preventive action and continuous improvement. The
trigger for these three actions is different (an anomaly, the possibility of an
anomaly and the desire to improve the process), but afterwards there are always
the three steps: define the problem, find a solution and apply the solution.
Another important point which was discussed during
the meeting was the negative image of quality. According to the general opinion
quality is often associated with a lot of paperwork and that it is a
supervision and controlling tool of the management, while the individual
advantages are judged as being minor. Therefore it is very important to correct
these prejudices during the quality course in Berlin. Rene Duc agreed to give
an introductory course on quality in basic research (about an hour with
questions).
It was proposed by Rene Duc to drive the application
of the quality system as a project. Additionally, Annie Pesnelle will be asked
to help us in this process.
Grenoble, 17/07/2000 Henning
Lebius