Quality Counts Canada tag:www4.asq.org,2007:/blogs/quality-counts-canada//7 2007-05-11T03:22:08Z Movable Type 3.2 Quality Counts in Healthcare Products tag:www4.asq.org,2007:/blogs/quality-counts-canada//7.335 2007-05-11T03:02:44Z 2007-05-11T03:22:08Z Lucy Stange Recently at an pharmaceutial industry based conference, I was reminded of the upcoming regulation changes being considered in the draft GMPs ( Good Manufacturing Practices) Guidelines for 2007.  For those in the pharmaceutical (drug), radiopharmaceutical, biological, and veterinary drugs industy, the GMPs are the governing requirements for maintaining an Establishment Licence in Canada and a well known if not always well understood, monitored (via regulatory audits) "guidance" for this industy. For those not in the industry, consider yourselves fortunate that you are not subjected to regularly scheduled scrutiny of your business operation and quality governing principles and practices.  A regulatory audit and review of compliance to the guidelines can be a frequent occurance depending on the changes going on in your organization.  Yes, compliance to a ''guideline" .....though there is no option! So what can we expect to see under scrutiny for the 2007 GMP changes?

 

 

]]> www.hc-sc.gc.ca]]> Journey Towards PMP Part 2 tag:www4.asq.org,2007:/blogs/quality-counts-canada//7.298 2007-04-10T20:41:50Z 2007-04-10T21:14:45Z Lucy Stange  A lapel pin and signed certificate mark the confirmation of PMP designation. Accolades from friends and colleagues prioritize the event.  There is also an aura of professional hiearchy amongst staff and industry and  a host of new found colleagues with similar designations.

Wow! Had I known that long ago; I may not have waited so long!

We know where the journey ends, but where does the journey of preparation for testing begin?

]]> After having received approval of the PMI organization of information provided in support of the designation; you have to schedule and write the exam. There is much preparation required to support you writing the exam.  If you are a holder of ASQ Certification, I'm sure you know what I mean!  Reading, studying, reviewing, memorizing, understanding concepts and formulas are crucial. There is a body of knowledge to grasp and know inside-out and upside-down.  So how do you prepare?

There are so many options to help you prepare for the PMP exam. It comes down to how much time you have to prepare, how much money and how much you need to learn and absorb. There are a number of on line courses, content, sample tests etc to help you assess your current level of understanding on the body of knowledge. You need then to fill in the gap!

I took a four day intensive offered by PMPTI designed as a review to help prepare to answer the questions I would likely see on the exam. I like to learn in face to face sessions where I can interact and ask questions; classroom style.  Some of my colleagues preferred to work through on their own following a workbook (by Rita Mulcahey) and then self testing with CDs provided to simulate the online test environment. Whatever the means of learning there are some important things to remember for the day of the exam.

1.Get a good nights rest

2. Don't cram in last minute

3. Eat a light meal

4. Make sure you know how to get to the test site, know where to park and understand if there is any parking fees or time limits. Try driving out before the exam as a test run.

5. When you sit the exam, you will receive a pencil, blank sheets of paper and a simple calculator.

6. Take 15min of your exam time to go thru the online tutorial. It is helpful to understand you can go back and answer questions you missed or were not sure of.

7. Take a few minutes to "brain dump" ; choose a blank sheet of paper and record formulas, concepts, definitions you remember.

8. Take a deep breath and begin... the time goes by though you will likely have some time to review.

9. When ready and comfortable press the submit button.

10.  Wait 30 seconds for the congratulatory note that you passed.  Hurray!

Enjoy the journey !

]]> Journey Towards PMP! tag:www4.asq.org,2007:/blogs/quality-counts-canada//7.282 2007-03-22T03:45:28Z 2007-03-22T04:04:46Z Lucy Stange The PMP( Project Management Professional) credential is offered through the Project Management Insititute( PMI). 

Careful planning is required. Before you can be eligible, you must meet specific educational and project management experience requirements and agree to adhere to a code of professional conduct. Documented evidence of having 7,500 hours in a position of responsibility leading and directing specific tasks and 60 months of project management experience along with 35 hours of Project Management Training is to be submitted for assessment.
   

When eligible, you are able to purchase your ticket for the 4 hour, multiple choice, computer based exam. A successful landing takes you to a PMP credential!  The journey has just begun ....

For more information contact www.pmi.org

]]> Quality in Servicing Diagnostic Clinic Patients tag:www4.asq.org,2007:/blogs/quality-counts-canada//7.267 2007-02-27T19:31:14Z 2007-02-27T19:48:17Z Lucy Stange My latest quality trip took me to a local diagnostic clinic.  Strategically displayed on the door and near reception was a calendar depicting coloured blocks in the hours of the week. The red, green and yellow coloured blocks clearly marked the likely "wait time" for service; red was longest wait and green was shortest wait.

When asked how these were derived, I was told that the service provider examined data regarding frequency and time  of visit.  As a means to schedule staff and to improve service, a frequency histogram was used to depict the busiest times.  The calendar was used to help their customers understand the best time ( 11 to noon during the week) to visit the diagnostic clinic and avoid a long wait! Green means good for this clinic!

 

]]> There is Gold in Iowa! tag:www4.asq.org,2007:/blogs/quality-counts-canada//7.242 2007-02-02T14:32:47Z 2007-02-02T14:53:48Z Lucy Stange My next travel destination was not in Canada though the climatic conditions were very similar.An adventurous series of airplane flights followed by lengthy taxi rides took me to a little town outside Eddyville Iowa. Though the temperatures were cold (-10C) and the grounds snow covered, I was told by my well informed taxi driver that Iowa was THE state for Corn production.  Yes, Golden ears of Corn! 

I also learned on my trip that Pig and Cattle farming was also a main activity in Iowa.  This was further promoted by the plush stuffed animals and ears of corn I saw at the Des Moines airport gift shop. The reason for my visit was to visit a site that manufactures product uses derivatives from corn as a starting material.  A site where Quality also counts as practices for production are based on ISO 9000 and ISO 14001 principles.  Infact, there OHSAS( Health and Safety policy) is also developed on a continuos improvement model! Quality gold! 

]]> A Council for Quality tag:www4.asq.org,2007:/blogs/quality-counts-canada//7.221 2007-01-15T02:43:44Z 2007-01-15T03:05:33Z Lucy Stange Happy New Year!

Thanks for the comments and notes I have been receiving. Good to know there are quality people everywhere!

Recently I have returned from a trip to La Belle Province, Quebec.   While out there on business, I was able to witness first hand quality for animal care. Small animals used for studies to support clinical research studies such as cancer and drug development are carefully monitored. Moral and ethical practices for laboratory animal use are defined and attention to Good Animal Practices (GAP) is to be applied. The CCAC (Canadian Council on Animal Care) certifies organizations for animal care and use according to GAP. 

Quality practices everywhere!

]]> Counting Q's tag:www4.asq.org,2006:/blogs/quality-counts-canada//7.189 2006-11-15T03:05:39Z 2006-11-15T03:32:46Z On a recent road trip, I decided to count the number of words beginning with the letter Q.In particular, I was looking for the word Quality; in print, in lights, on buildings, on neighboring vehicles on the highway. My 407... Lucy Stange On a recent road trip, I decided to count the number of words beginning with the letter Q.

In particular, I was looking for the word Quality; in print, in lights, on buildings, on neighboring vehicles on the highway. My 407 trip across Toronto yielded a total of 2 sightings of the word Quality!  On the side of a transport truck I first noted the Q word in the motto for the company..something along the lines of "quality transport"... Another sighting was also on the side of a truck; "Manufacturing Quality Vinyl Windows". That was it.   I didn't notice the word quality in any of the municipal election signs I read.  I did note the repetition of the word Service in mottos for "at your service" or "serving you better".  Has Service replaced Quality? 

On your next family road trip, play this little game.  Have your children or spouse try and find the words beginning with the letter Q and count the words Quality.  Can you find more than 2?

]]> Welcome to My Quality World! tag:www4.asq.org,2006:/blogs/quality-counts-canada//7.178 2006-11-02T03:36:07Z 2006-11-02T04:06:41Z Lucy Stange Hello and Welcome!

This is a first, for the first (of November that is...) in a series of personal comments and hopefully thought provoking notes of my quality journey in Canada.  This is a great opportunity for me to share with you notes and quotes demonstrating excellence in quality.  This is going to be a great trip!  This time, I choose "the path not taken" in search of new experiences to share.  Welcome to Quality Counts Canada!  Now let's 1, 2, 3 GO!

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