Are you knowledgeable about the latest quality management technology trends? If not, this post will give you an update on the top five technology trends that you need to know. Given how much you have come to rely on enterprise software, you simply must be able to speak the same language as your colleagues in information technology to do your job right the first time. Here are the top five quality management technology trends in 2018.

Cloud Computing is Still King, but the Platforms are More Robust

Businesses and organizations of all sizes are continuing to leverage the benefits of cloud computing, such as reduced costs and scalability, but now, the trend is to handle more customer and employee business on the cloud. From collaboration platforms, chat and voice-bot customer support technology and multiple mobile device support, businesses are in contact with customers all the time. These increase in customer contacts and spread of workflows over collaboration channels increase the need for solid quality control measures.

The cloud will continue to pose security risks for organizations, but at a manageable level, that will have to be folded into quality concerns.

Quality is Crucial Across Organizations

The days of siloed quality control are being ushered out, with quality control overlaying all functions of an organization. With quality becoming an organization-wide function, it’s important for stakeholders and leadership to take the reins and lead with an authoritative voice that exudes quality from the top-down. This will reflect in how quality management software systems are deployed throughout an organization and how quality is defined. Quality’s omnipresence relates to Quality 4.0 and how technological innovations, such as mobility, social, cloud computing and data analytics, are driving customer expectations and experiences.

Quality Through Project Management Processes

While quality is permeating organizations, it will be implemented through project management processes. Quality is becoming less of a topic to discuss at conferences and more about how to put plans into action. More and more organizations are using collaboration to supplement email for communication and project tracking purposes. Quality thrives when implemented under the controls and guidance of project management principles. If a quality policy functions as the ethos of an organization – its driving philosophy – then project management is how an organization’s words are put into practice.

There Will Be a Greater Need for Visibility Into Risks

While quality increases in prominence, there is a correlating need to more visibility into risks of an organization. Planning and discussing quality are abstract. Managing quality as a project or process allows the concepts to breathe life, but for your organization to be able to effectuate improvements, risks must be visible. With the broadening of quality comes the need for a broader view of how quality management systems are deployed throughout an organization.

Analytics Will Continue to Drive Quality

The amount of data produced through the many interactions with employees, customers and suppliers continues to increase, with no sign of abating. Businesses will find new ways to utilize data to gain competitive edges and increase quality. Now more than ever, it is crucial to have big data analytics in play not only for your core business functions but also for quality management as well. Since analytics already plays the main role in marketing, targeting and communicating with your customers, look for ways to track and assess quality components through customer experience.

These five quality management technology trends represent the driving forces that you need to know when collaborating with your colleagues in IT. Moving forward, your task will be to continue to educate yourself on these trends and work closely with IT to take quality to the next level.

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