The most effective outcome is where the business area fully owns the process and procedures, which are associated with each of the processes – Why ?
Well simply because with ownership comes a specific responsibility to “buy in” or “adopt” and to also ensure active implementation of the procedures.
Consider the 3 primary options for developing process and procedures and the potential merits (positives) and detractors (negatives).
1) Organisations who task the Quality Department (Manager) with “owning” the procedures.
In such situations the Quality Manager typically understand the regulatory obligations, as well as a understands an acceptable way of delivery to meet the intent of the procedure.
So the “quality” of the procedure is usually quite good in such situations and circumstances.
However the strength of ownership within the business areas is potentially lower with a possible disconnect between the owner and author of the procedures. In such cases it is not unusual for a high level of findings for non conformity – means there is evidence during audits related to a reluctance to follow or comply with the procedure.
Whilst it is important to ensure that the business area owner signs off against the procedure, there is a difference between signing off and owning.
2) The Author of the procedure is the dedicated procedure writer.
In such situations the Standard of text within the procedure is very high – means typically a good use of aviation English following the objectives of simplified English. Where the procedural writer is working directly under the control of the Business Area owner the resultant procedure may be written to a high standard.
However as with item 1 above there can often be issues associated with “buy in” As a rule it is important to ensure that the business area owner signs off against the procedure. Such sign off actually closes a loop between the Business Area owner and the Writer so that the ownership is stronger.
3) The Author of the procedure is the Post Holder / Nominated Person or the Business Area owner.Â
In terms of ownership this is by far the best option – however in terms of stand of delivery it may actually be woefully inadequate and sometimes not fit for purpose.
So whilst full ownership is extremely important it is also necessary to have an organisational standard to ensure the procedures are produced to a consistent standard
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