| Quality |
The
totality of features and
characteristics of a product or
service which bear on its
ability to satisfy stated and
implied needs. |
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| Quality
Assurance |
Confirming
the degree of excellence of a
product or service, measured
against its defined purpose.
This might involve a number of
techniques. For
documentation it might involve
inviting informed comment; for
software, a process of formal
testing, trialling or inviting public
feedback on a beta version; for
hardware, performance against
specified test; for management
process, comparison with a
standard such as BSI5000. |
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| Quality
Management System |
The
complete set of quality
standards, procedures and
responsibilities for an
organisation or location. |
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| Quarter-Inch
Cartridge |
A
storage technology based on tape
backup drives and cartridges,
for backing up data on computer
systems. There are a set of
standards devised to enable
tapes to be used with drives
from different manufacturers.
These QIC standards specify the
length of tape, the number of
recording tracks, and the
magnetic strength of the tape
coating, all of which determine
the amount of information that
can be written to the tape. |
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| Query
By Example |
A
simple-to-use query language
implemented on several
relational database management
systems. Using query by example,
the user specifies fields to be
displayed, inter table linkages,
and retrieval criteria directly
onto forms displayed on the
screen. These forms are a direct
pictorial representation of the
table and row structures that
make up the database. Thus, the
construction of a query becomes
a simple "check off"
procedure from the viewpoint of
the user. |
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| Queued
Access Method |
A
programming technique that will
minimise input/output delays by
synchronising the transfer of
information between the program
and the computer's input and
output devices. |
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| Queuing
Theory |
A
modelling technique based upon
the allocation of requirement to
resources. It will
indicate whether the resources
will meet with the anticipated
level and distribution of
demand. Invariably
delivered as a computer
simulation it provides a
prediction of resource
requirements, generally mapped
against time and business
cycles. |
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| Quick
Win |
Possibly
identified by applying the Pareto
Principal during the initial
stages of a Service Improvement
Programme, a Quick Win describes
an improvement in actual or
perceived service quality,
achieved within a short space of
time with relatively little
effort. The most
significant contribution to a
Quick Win is likely to be common
desire to understand the root
cause of the lack of service
quality and to initiate a
corrective change. |
