1 What are typically best practices related to defining clear standard operating procedures eg delineation of roles & responsibilities between Quality Assurance and other functions eg Legal Scientific

Best practices for defining clear standard operating procedures between Quality Assurance (QA) and other functions include:

Clearly delineating roles and responsibilities: Clearly define the responsibilities of each function involved and ensure there is no overlap or ambiguity.
Establishing communication channels: Set up effective communication channels between QA and other functions to ensure a smooth flow of information and collaboration.
Regular reviews and updates: Review and update the procedures periodically to ensure they are up-to-date and aligned with any changes in the organization or industry regulations.
Training and awareness: Provide training and awareness sessions to all involved functions to ensure everyone understands the procedures and their responsibilities.
Document control: Implement a robust document control system to ensure that all procedures are easily accessible and updated when necessary.

The typical authority of Quality Assurance across various assurance domains can vary depending on the organization and industry, but some common areas of authority include:

Safety: QA ensures that products or processes meet safety regulations and standards, and has the authority to stop production or recall products if safety concerns arise.
Quality: QA is responsible for maintaining and improving product quality, ensuring that products meet quality standards and conducting audits or inspections to identify and address any quality issues.
Compliance: QA ensures that all operations and processes adhere to regulatory requirements and standards, and has the authority to enforce compliance and take corrective actions if necessary.

The authority of Quality Assurance is closely linked to performance indicators such as defect rates or customer satisfaction. Some examples include:

Defect rates: QA monitors and analyzes defect rates to identify trends and root causes of quality issues. Based on their authority, they can implement corrective actions, initiate process improvements, or stop production to control and reduce defect rates.
Customer satisfaction: QA plays a crucial role in ensuring customer satisfaction by maintaining quality standards and addressing any product or process issues. Their authority allows them to take actions to improve customer satisfaction, such as implementing customer feedback systems, conducting customer audits, or initiating corrective actions based on customer complaints or concerns.