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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Optimise the quality assurance system 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
335894  Optimise the quality assurance system 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Manufacturing and Assembly Processes 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  6 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status
13237  Optimise the quality assurance system  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  6   

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
Learners credited with this Unit Standard will enable a learner to understand the importance of maintaining and optimising quality in a modern technological environment. The learner will understand a variety of concepts related to quality, the principles of quality audits and be able to conduct a quality audit to effect improvements.

Learners credited with this standard will be able to:
  • Explain why quality is important to a modern business.
  • Describe the elements that make up an effective Quality Assurance system.
  • Conduct a quality audit of a department/customer/supplier related to the production environment.
  • Optimise the quality assurance system. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Further Education and Training Certificate: Automotive Components. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
  • This Unit Standard is not restricted to the automotive environment. It can be used in any component assembly or manufacturing context.
  • Production process' includes both manufacturing and assembly. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain why quality is important to a modern business. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The meanings of quality and quality system are explained in relation to improving reliability and increasing production. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The way in which the quality mindset has changed over the last fifty years is described to show how it has become the responsibility of all in the workplace. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The work of the quality gurus is discussed in terms of their approaches to quality and the differences between them. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Quality gurus include Deming, Juran, Crosby, Ishikawa, Imai, Taguchi.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The concepts Total Quality Management (TQM), Quality Control, Inspection and Quality Assurance are discussed in terms of the differences between them. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Industry demands and regulations are contrasted with current company quality practices to assess company's level of conformance. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Future quality trends are predicted, trends are identified and their implications discussed. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe the elements that make up an effective Quality Assurance system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The Transformation System (input-transform products-output (finished products) is described using examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The Quality Delivery System (QDS) and the Quality Information system (QIS) are discussed in terms of their usefulness in understanding quality in the company. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    International standards are discussed to gauge company's conformance to them. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Standards include but are not limited to ISO 9000 to ISO 9004 (eight principles).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The company's Quality Manual (QM) is analysed to show that it reflects the overall goal of the quality management system.VV 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Conduct a quality audit of a department/customer/supplier related to the production environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Principles of auditing and reasons for conducting audits are explained to achieve a common understanding of the purpose of an audit. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Principles include ethical conduct, fair presentation, due professional care/ good stewardship, independence and an evidence-based approach.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The characteristics of an auditor are described to ensure effective auditing performance during the auditing process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    An audit schedule is compiled to ensure that the relevant criteria are met. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The audit is conducted according to audit procedure and requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Findings are documented and aligned to requirements. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    An audit report is compiled and discussed with relevant parties. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    Corrective actions are verified to deal with non-conformances. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Optimise the quality assurance system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The need for continuous improvement is explained in terms of maintaining competitiveness. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Kaizen principles are used to improve management and improvement and sustain quality. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The concept 'benchmarking' is explained and applied against other companies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The concept 'Business Process Improvement' (BPI) is explained and implemented to help the company achieve a future 'to-be' model. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Previous quality assurance audits are analysed to generate a report on their effectiveness. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    A report on the quality optimisation process is compiled to indicate how this process can be enhanced. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessment and Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA policies and guidelines for Assessment and Moderation.
  • Moderation must include both Internal and External Moderation of assessments at exit points of the qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual Unit Standards as well as the integrated competence described in the Qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • History of quality.
  • Quality gurus.
  • Concepts pertaining to quality.
  • International quality standards.
  • Process of conducting quality audits.
  • Kaizen Philosophy. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made when:
  • Taking corrective action after conducting an internal audit. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation and community to:
  • Plan, prepare and conduct an internal audit. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsively and effectively when:
  • Planning, preparing and conducting an internal audit.
  • Ensuring that an auditor implements corrective actions.
  • Evaluating findings.
  • Reporting the findings. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information to:
  • Ensure that findings are correct.
  • Ensure effective implementation of corrective action by auditee. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation to:
  • Conduct audits.
  • Prepare audit reports.
  • Report findings to auditors and clients. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and the health of others by:
  • Using the equipment according to manufacturer's instructions. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This Unit Standard replaces Unit Standard 13237, "Optimise the quality assurance system", Level 5, 6 credits. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  71969   National Certificate: Automotive Components: Manufacturing and Assembly  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2015-06-30  MERSETA 
    Core  78966   National Certificate: Diamond Design and Evaluation  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 
    Core  79627   National Certificate: Mechatronics  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2015-06-30  MERSETA 
    Elective  78843   National Certificate: Diamond Processing  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MQA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.