What is SAP Quality Management (SAP QM)?

SAP Quality Management (SAP QM) is the SAP module that helps businesses plan, control, and assure product quality across the entire production and supply chain. Developed as a component of SAP ECC and available in SAP S/4HANA, it integrates quality processes with procurement, production, sales, and other SAP modules.Due to the growing competitive pressure and the constant development of the used technologies, the quality requirements of a company are continuously increasing. The growing customer expectations are also leading companies to aim for continuous improvement of their processes, whether in the hardware or in the software. For a company to remain competitive in the market, the quality of its products and services must both reach a consistently high level and be continuously and systematically promoted in all operational phases and processes. At this point, the use of Quality Management Software is recommended, providing the necessary functions to ensure quality throughout the entire life cycle. This type of software effectively enhances and controls quality and can be integrated with the company's entire management processes. SAP QM is designed to enable SAP users to manage quality control processes efficiently and easily. In this blog post, we will discuss the details of SAP Quality Management.

What is the SAP Quality Management Module?

Explained briefly, SAP Quality Management (QM) has been developed as a SAP ECC (SAP ERP Central Component) component. QM module in SAP is designed to provide support in the process of implementing and executing quality control processes of enterprises, to create sustainable quality control programs and to ensure continuous process improvement. So, for what specifically was this module developed? This module is created to facilitate continuous process improvement, prevent product manufacturing errors and implement sustainable quality control programs. Predictable benefits for companies include compliance with manufacturing quality requirements and standards, decreased operating costs, and improved customer and employee satisfaction.With the SAP Quality Management Module, it becomes possible to implement the most important quality standards for the QM system (quality management system) in ISO 9000. In this way, it works together with other integrated application components of the SAP system such as Production Planning, Plant Maintenance, Sales and Distribution, Material Management, Inventory Management, Human Resources, Finance and Controlling.

Functions and Tools of SAP (QM) Quality Management Module

The SAP QM is used as a tool in quality planning, quality control (inspection), quality assurance, and quality control as well as a support tool for the implementation and execution of these and other processes.In SAP QM, the important quality assurance methods can be defined as, example, inspection methods, inspection characteristics, and sampling procedures. The software functions as a fully-fledged quality information system and provides the features for results recording, defects recording, sample management, and test equipment management.Several tools for many related actions, which can be configured for the company's specific processes, make up SAP QM. Each of these tools includes functions that are specific to that activity.In the following we will describe the various SAP QM tools and functions in detail:

Quality Planning (QM-PT)

SAP Quality Management enables businesses to create and manage quality inspection plans that outline inspection methods, specifications for processes, etc. Among other things, it determines which goods are to be inspected, how inspections are to be carried out, the characteristics of the goods to be inspected and the type of equipment to be used to carry out inspections.

Quality Inspection (QM-IM)

The QM Module enables businesses to perform audits at different stages of the procurement process. These audits help to check whether the products comply with predefined quality standards. Using the inspection specifications defined in the quality planning, the quality requirements are measured and the associated results of the inspection of the product are documented.

Quality Certificates (QM-CA)

Certification that the goods meet the required quality requirements. In this context, customers can have neutral and also different specific criteria for the quality of their goods, and quality certificates take this into account.

Quality notifications (QM-QN)

Quality notifications make it easier to manage quality-related issues and defects. It helps capture challenges and issues that arise when goods are received from suppliers, when goods are in production, or when quality issues are reported by customers. Notifications support the creation of corrective actions.

Quality Control (QM-QC-AQC)

It helps to manage the quality control process in a controlled manner. SAP QM Module has SPC (statistical process control) features that help businesses track and analyze process variations. Thus, for instance, one can use test results to update the quality situation, control charts to control characteristic values, and vendor validations for the purchasing procedure.

Test Equipment Management (QM-IT)

Managing information about the test equipment used in the quality tests. Here, the data for each piece of test equipment can be maintained and ensured so that a constant calibration can be continued.

Benefits and Advantages of the SAP (QM) Quality Management Module

SAP Quality Management brings out valuable advantages and benefits during its use. In the following, we will list a selection of the most important benefits for your company that can be achieved by using the SAP QM module regularly.The most efficient and valuable benefits of the SAP QM module:

• Higher customer satisfaction through improved product quality
• Full integration in procurement and production process provides continuous quality assurance
• Certificates of quality as part of the product documentation, confirming the quality of the products manufactured and technologies used
• Monitoring of supplier and customer returns by implementing quality control measures in SAP QM quality notifications
• Quality certificate automation, printed at the time of delivery to the customer
• Audit-Management
• Next to the permanent process monitoring, constant, flexible, and adaptable quality assurance processes are created
• Failure analysis, risk minimization, and stability studies, can help reduce failures and delays
• Activation of required corrective actions by SAP QM system's automatic quality notifications
• Total control of all business processes due to smooth integration of quality management methods and measures (SAP QM) into all other business areas and processes including R&D, HR, production and logistics, sales and marketing, finance and controlling, and others
• Providing support for the company's ongoing and continuous quality assurance by integrating the quality methods of individual areas and departments into an overall corporate QM system.
• Enables enabling grouping processes in inspection batches.
• Helps to develop accurate inspection plans by looking at the segmentation value.
• Enables utilization of aggregated master data when making usage decisions.

SAP QM Module gives you a competitive edge

Quality contributes greatly to the competitiveness of a company and is also becoming a key factor as the market continues to grow and customers make their purchasing choices as conscious consumers, along with the price-performance ratio.As part of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), SAP QM builds a company-wide quality information system for long-term quality control and quality assurance. Moreover, SAP QM is an integral part of the entire SAP ERP system(Enterprise Resource Planning System). It is used in companies across a range of sectors and industries. Thanks to smooth integration with and into other SAP components, the module supports and guarantees companies in their efforts to ensure quality at all levels of the supply chain and in all phases of the PLM cycle. Also, SAP QM is an important tool for audits, as it is used for corporate standardization and quality assurance. The SAP QM module contributes to company standardization and certification in keeping with recognized standards of international quality.The significance of quality management and therefore the use of professionally managed SAP QM modules is becoming increasingly important for the competitiveness of a company. By using SAP Quality Management Software adapted to your company and with the support of specialized Quality Managers, you can increase your business value without any hurdles.

SAP QM in SAP S/4HANA

SAP QM was developed as a component of classic SAP ECC, and the same quality management capabilities are available within SAP S/4HANA as well. Companies moving to S/4HANA run their QM processes with real-time processing and the role-based SAP Fiori interface, gaining tighter integration with production, procurement, and maintenance. As mainstream maintenance for ECC approaches its 2027 end date, migrating QM processes to S/4HANA should be part of the overall planning. To understand the broader platform, see our guide on what SAP ERP is.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SAP QM used for? SAP QM is used to plan, control, and assure product quality across procurement, production, and sales. It manages inspection planning, quality inspections, certificates, quality notifications, and test equipment, helping companies prevent defects and comply with standards like ISO 9000.What is the difference between QA and QM? Quality assurance (QA) focuses on preventing defects in the final product, while quality management (QM) is the broader system that ensures a business consistently meets its quality requirements. SAP QM supports both by integrating quality processes across the enterprise.Is SAP QM part of SAP S/4HANA? Yes. SAP QM originated in SAP ECC and is fully available in SAP S/4HANA, where it benefits from real-time processing and the SAP Fiori interface, with tight integration to production, procurement, and plant maintenance.

References

ISO 9001 Quality Management - ISO What is SAP ERP?