Analyze of the quality management system of Czech manufacturing companies within each phase of products’ lifecycle: initial results

The following research study is trying to analyze the Quality Management Systems (QMS) on a selected number 50 SMEs manufacturing companies from Czech Republic and to identify the possible problems which occur related to quality in the today’s market in regards to the level of quality of the product from the product’s lifecycle point of view. Taking into account that most of the firms are certified ISO 9001:2008, the study is also trying to find out if there is a connection between ISO norms and the product lifecycle. The level of quality is being assumed to be raised due to the conditions imposed by ISO requirements, but the main questions are: What part of the product lifecycle will be more affected? and Which will need more money to be invested, in order for the company to receive the certification? This paper shows the initial result from 7 SMEs.