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A workplace organisation method that helps teams improve order, cleanliness, efficiency, visual control, and discipline as part of lean improvement.
A structured team-based approach used to identify, correct, and prevent recurring problems through disciplined root cause analysis.
The Automotive Industry Action Group publishes widely used automotive quality manuals and core tools that help manufacturers standardise planning, process control, and risk management.
Professional supply chain and operations qualifications designed to strengthen planning, inventory, logistics, and broader end-to-end supply chain capability.
Advanced Product Quality Planning is a structured method used to manage quality activities during product and process development before launch.
A specialist manufacturing sector supported by SMMTQM through consultancy, training, standards knowledge, and improvement programmes.
A visual management system used on the shop floor to signal issues, alert support, and trigger immediate response to problems in production.
A group of diagnostic services used to review business capability, identify gaps, and prioritise practical improvement actions.
One of SMMTQM’s main sectors, covering automotive manufacturing improvement, training, quality systems, and supply chain support.
A process assessment framework used in automotive software and systems development to improve process maturity and capability.
Structured reviews that measure how effectively a business operates and where it can improve productivity, quality, and competitiveness.
British Standards publications that support organisations with recognised frameworks across areas such as quality, environment, auditing, and management systems.
Real-world examples showing how manufacturers have applied SMMTQM methods to improve operations, quality, and competitiveness.
A measure of how well processes are defined, managed, and optimised within an organisation.
SMMTQM’s advisory service area, helping manufacturers improve strategy, operations, supply chains, new product introduction, and organisational capability.
An ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes through incremental or breakthrough changes.
A documented quality planning tool used to define how key product and process characteristics will be monitored and controlled in production.
A collection of essential automotive quality methods, typically including APQP, FMEA, MSA, SPC and PPAP, used to improve consistency and reduce risk.
SMMTQM support designed for manufacturers outside a single niche, applying proven improvement methods across multiple industrial environments.
A process improvement review used to assess current performance, identify inefficiencies, and define where action is needed most.
The integration of digital technologies into manufacturing operations to improve performance, decision-making, and competitiveness.
Design Review Based on Failure Modes is a structured problem-prevention approach focused on reviewing design changes and the risks they may introduce.
A self-directed online learning format that gives users flexible access to manufacturing, quality, and supply chain training.
A manufacturing sector supported by SMMTQM with training, consultancy, and operational improvement services.
A role focused on evaluating environmental management systems and compliance against recognised standards and internal requirements.
A performance metric indicating that a product or process is correctly completed the first time without rework.
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis is a risk-based method used to identify possible failures, assess their impact, and prioritise preventive action.
Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis is an extension of FMEA that adds criticality assessment to better prioritise risk.
A section covering support schemes, partnerships, and funding-related routes that can help manufacturers access development opportunities.
A structured review that compares current performance or compliance status against a required standard, target state, or customer expectation.
A lean principle referring to the “real place” where work happens, encouraging leaders to observe processes directly to drive improvement.
A production levelling method used to smooth demand and reduce variation in manufacturing schedules.
A strategic planning method used to align organisational goals with daily operations.
An overview page explaining SMMTQM’s approach to delivering business improvement through assessment, training, consultancy, and capability development.
The International Automotive Task Force is the body associated with the global automotive quality framework behind IATF 16949.
A globally recognised automotive quality management system standard designed to improve process effectiveness, customer satisfaction, and continual improvement.
Official publications and supporting materials related to IATF standards, rules, and implementation guidance for automotive organisations.
An SMMTQM assessment used to benchmark business performance and identify where practical improvements can strengthen competitiveness.
The use of smart technologies such as IoT, automation, and data analytics in manufacturing.
A sector page focused on supporting manufacturers producing components for wider industrial applications.
A sector area covering broader industrial manufacturing businesses seeking improvement in operations, quality, and supply chain performance.
A content section containing commentary, thought leadership, and industry analysis relevant to manufacturers and supply chains.
Training related to internationally recognised ISO standards, helping organisations understand requirements and build internal capability.
An automation principle that ensures processes stop automatically when a defect or abnormal condition is detected, preventing defects from continuing downstream.
A supply chain and production principle focused on delivering materials and products when needed, reducing inventory and improving flow.
A visual scheduling system used to control the flow of materials and work in progress based on actual demand.
A lean philosophy of continuous, incremental improvement driven by employee involvement at all levels.
A structured auditing method used to verify that key process controls are being followed consistently across production operations.
A structured programme designed to improve leadership capability, team effectiveness, and the practical skills needed to drive improvement.
A manufacturing approach focused on reducing waste, improving flow, and increasing value for the customer through better process design and discipline.
A broader change programme that applies lean principles across the organisation to improve culture, efficiency, and operational performance.
A supply chain focus area aimed at improving the planning, movement, control, and delivery of materials and finished goods.
A development programme designed to strengthen the practical management skills needed to lead operations effectively.
Consultancy focused on operational performance, lean methods, process improvement, maintenance, leadership, and manufacturing effectiveness.
A consultancy and training area covering strategy, audits, deployment, structured management approaches, and organisational capability development.
A specialist lean and logistics discipline focused on the efficient movement, storage, and supply of materials through operations.
Materials Management Operations Guideline/Logistics Evaluation is an assessment framework used to evaluate materials management and logistics capability.
Material Requirements Planning is a planning method used to calculate what materials are needed, in what quantities, and when.
Measurement Systems Analysis is a method for evaluating whether a measurement system is accurate, stable, and reliable enough for decision-making.
A framework connected to measuring and improving manufacturing capability and competitiveness within UK industry.
A structured approach to taking a product from concept to successful production launch while reducing risk and improving coordination.
An assessment designed to review how robust an organisation’s new product introduction capability is before and during launch.
A discipline focused on aligning resources, demand, materials, and production activity so the business can deliver efficiently and reliably.
A key performance metric that measures how effectively manufacturing equipment is used, based on availability, performance, and quality.
Plan-Do-Check-Act is a continuous improvement framework used to test changes, measure results, and standardise successful practices.
A TPM pillar focused on maintaining equipment proactively to reduce unplanned downtime and improve reliability.
A method of preventing errors by designing processes or equipment so that mistakes cannot occur or are immediately detected.
Production Part Approval Process is a formal method used to confirm that a supplier’s production process can consistently meet customer requirements.
A service that helps organisations identify weaknesses before a formal audit, so corrective actions can be taken in advance.
A development tool used to support leadership, communication, and team understanding by exploring behavioural and thinking preferences.
The structured analysis and redesign of work processes to improve efficiency, quality, flow, and overall performance.
A section offering standards, manuals, handbooks, and reference materials across AIAG, IATF, VDA, BSI, and related topics.
Quick Response Manufacturing is a strategy focused on reducing lead times across the organisation to improve responsiveness, flexibility, and competitiveness.
A TPM pillar focused on preventing defects by maintaining equipment and process conditions that consistently produce the required quality level.
A formalised system of policies, processes, and procedures used to ensure products and services consistently meet requirements.
A content hub containing practical materials, articles, downloads, and information for manufacturing improvement.
A structured problem-solving approach used to identify the underlying cause of issues rather than just treating symptoms.
Tools or frameworks that allow organisations to review their own capability and identify improvement opportunities internally.
A data-driven improvement methodology used to reduce variation, solve process problems, and improve performance quality.
Single Minute Exchange of Die is a setup reduction methodology used to cut changeover times and improve manufacturing flexibility.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is SMMTQM’s parent organisation and has historic links to quality and supply chain improvement in UK manufacturing.
Statistical Process Control is a quality method that uses data and variation analysis to monitor process stability and prevent defects.
A structured approach to turning high-level business strategy into practical objectives, actions, and aligned execution across the organisation.
The process of defining business direction, priorities, and goals so organisations can improve focus and competitive performance.
Support aimed at strengthening supplier capability, quality, performance, and readiness within the supply chain.
A structured approach to managing supplier partnerships more effectively to improve performance, continuity, and value.
A consultancy and training area focused on planning, logistics, supplier performance, resilience, inventory, and end-to-end operational flow.
The rate at which products must be produced to meet customer demand.
A training programme designed to strengthen the core leadership and operational skills needed by frontline team leaders.
A structured improvement approach that increases equipment effectiveness through proactive maintenance, team ownership, and continuous improvement.
A management philosophy focused on embedding quality into every part of an organisation through customer focus, continuous improvement, and full workforce involvement.
A core SMMTQM service covering in-person courses, virtual learning, webinars, and self-directed study across manufacturing topics.
A lean method used to visualise the steps involved in delivering a product or service, identify waste, and design a more efficient future state.
A family of German automotive standards, methods, and audit frameworks used across quality, product development, and supplier assurance.
A leadership and management systems discipline focused on defining where the business wants to go and how it will get there.
Instructor-led online training designed to deliver structured development remotely while keeping the classroom element.
Live online sessions that provide accessible learning and updates on manufacturing, quality, and supply chain topics.
A quality philosophy focused on preventing problems at source and aiming for consistently defect-free processes and outputs.
SMMT Quality Management helps major global manufacturers understand, optimise and improve both manufacturing capability and business performance. Over 250 organisations in 30 countries trust SMMT Quality Management to deliver and maintain sustainable improvement.
SMMT Quality Management Ltd 2680 Kings Court The Crescent Birmingham Business Park Birmingham UK B37 7YE
+44 (0)121 717 6600
[email protected]
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