446 Chilled foods new system. Therefore sufficient time must be allocated and planned into staff training. To meet both new skills training and new working practices, but also any implications that the new TQM ethos may bring to the business, i.e. the need to participate in quality circles, ability to generate improvement suggestions and he need for all staff to be committed to the ideals of the system 15.4.11 Launch The system can be launched when it is felt that all key elements are in place These do not have to include all of the proposed quality improvements Remember the system is designed to be a continually changing system and volution to new procedures and practices should be a natural progression. Staff should not be concerned if parts of the system are not perfect, again improvements will be identified as the system evolves. It is much more important that the system accurately reflects the current business processes Often the benefit of TQM comes with time when the quality system is used to collate data and information about the performance of the business and these are used to target and develop improvements. Once launched internal mechanisms to monitor and control changes to the system should be made operational as well 15.5 Performance measuring and auditing As indicated above, once the system is launched it is imperative to measure performance and to seek quality improvements. In fact, the most powerful part f any quality system is its ability to measure performance and gain improvement through corrective action. There are a number of tools available to do this within the quality syster 15.5.1 The internal audit system Regularly measuring compliance with the stated system is a powerful means of determining its effectiveness. The corrective action that ensues from an audit ensures that the system is kept fresh and up to date, reflecting the latest requirements of the company 15.5.2 The external audit system Once formal certification and approval of the system is sought, external auditors for the inspection body will visit regularly to ensure on-going compliance with the relevant standards. again useful information and corrective actions can be obtained from these visits. It is also possible that key customers may wish to audit the systems to give themselves confidence in your ability to provide safenew system. Therefore sufficient time must be allocated and planned into staff training. To meet both new skills training and new working practices, but also any implications that the new TQM ethos may bring to the business, i.e. the need to participate in quality circles, ability to generate improvement suggestions and the need for all staff to be committed to the ideals of the system. 15.4.11 Launch The system can be launched when it is felt that all key elements are in place. These do not have to include all of the proposed quality improvements. Remember the system is designed to be a continually changing system and evolution to new procedures and practices should be a natural progression. Staff should not be concerned if parts of the system are not perfect, again improvements will be identified as the system evolves. It is much more important that the system accurately reflects the current business processes. Often the benefit of TQM comes with time when the quality system is used to collate data and information about the performance of the business and these are used to target and develop improvements. Once launched internal mechanisms to monitor and control changes to the system should be made operational as well (e.g. internal auditing systems, document control and document change systems). 15.5 Performance measuring and auditing As indicated above, once the system is launched it is imperative to measure performance and to seek quality improvements. In fact, the most powerful part of any quality system is its ability to measure performance and gain improvement through corrective action. There are a number of tools available to do this within the quality system. 15.5.1 The internal audit system Regularly measuring compliance with the stated system is a powerful means of determining its effectiveness. The corrective action that ensues from an audit ensures that the system is kept fresh and up to date, reflecting the latest requirements of the company. 15.5.2 The external audit system Once formal certification and approval of the system is sought, external auditors for the inspection body will visit regularly to ensure on-going compliance with the relevant standards. Again useful information and corrective actions can be obtained from these visits. It is also possible that key customers may wish to audit the systems to give themselves confidence in your ability to provide safe 446 Chilled foods