Excellence Beyond Compliance

7

Level 2 Documentation

Good Level 2 documentation is absolutely essential for the long-term success of the quality management system (QMS). While the quality manual is aimed at giving a good overall look at the big picture, the Level 2 documentation is aimed at careful enunciation of the principles that govern each of the critical process areas of the company. This documentation should state in terms of basic principles what must be done, who must do it (and, in some cases, when it must be done).

One of the values of good Level 2 documentation is that it makes possible the concept that “quality is everyone’s business.” It places on the table the principles intended to govern each major process within the company. Each department thus can ...