MAHAJAN, R. Implementace systému řízení kvality v univerzitních laboratořích [online]. Brno: Vysoké učení technické v Brně. Fakulta strojního inženýrství. 2023.

Posudek vedoucího

Miklas, Václav

The master’s thesis deals with the current challenge of re-implementing a quality management system at the Laboratory of Energy Intensive Processes (LEIP). The implementation itself is a long-term, multi-layered task involving a number of parties from management to every worker, therefore the focus on thesis was to lay the foundation for future implementation. The introductory part (chapters 1 and 2) of the thesis succeeds in explaining the motivation and providing an overview of quality management, including its most important elements, principles and a rather incoherent set of quality management systems examples. In chapter 3, the student introduces the quality management system for the case study (ISO 17025) and, importantly, shows the differences between the 2005 version (that was previously implemented at the LEIP) and the latest 2017 version. After describing the clauses of the standard, he presents an interesting insight into the benefits, barriers and successful examples of implementation of quality management systems in both university and commercial laboratories. The first three chapters provide important pillars for the case study; a significant drawback is the low quality of some literature sources, which can be partly explained by the non-scientific nature of quality management. In the case study (chapter 4), the student does a good job of establishing an appropriate workflow, collecting the data with/from the LEIP staff, and describing the current state. It is evident that he has practical experience and a broad knowledge of quality management, providing interesting and complex suggestions for the future implementation. While this descriptive and empirical approach is fully sufficient to meet the objectives of the thesis, the data interpretation, creativity and tangible results are somewhat lacking. The three main points, where the student did not explore the potential of the assignment, are: a) adding more specificity to the findings, b) using the interconnectedness of the chapters, e.g., being more articulate about the differences of the 2005 and 2017 versions in the case study, or using the findings from chapters 3.3 and 3.4 more effectively, c) demonstrating the implementation on a practical example. Needless to say, the last point was partly caused by the high workload of the laboratory during the summer semester. Despite some shortcomings, the student demonstrated the ability to untangle a rather complex puzzle and his thesis is a solid basis for the future implementation of ISO 17025:2017 at the LEIP. 

Posudek oponenta

Máša, Vítězslav

Rohit Mahajan's diploma thesis provides a very good overview of the Quality Management System (QMS) implementation in laboratories. Its scope appropriately covers the theory needed for a case study - QMS assessment of a laboratory at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Technology in Brno (FME BUT). The student demonstrated a deep know-how in the given area and provided results with a high level of practical application. The text is coherent, has a logical structure and is very easy to follow. I find minor flaws in the following: - In the introductory part of the thesis, the purpose of university laboratories for teaching is mentioned several times, but this is not further reflected on. - The state of the art in the given area could be provided in one chapter. On the other hand, it can be found in the text (especially in Ch. 3.4) - Methodology: In the practical part it could have been more clearly stated which standard is considered (apparently ISO/IEC 17025:2017, but it is mentioned in the title of chapter 4 and then only in the Conclusion). - The boundary between methodology and results could have been more clearly determined. In chap. 4.4.6, for example, the Turtle diagram and SWOT analysis are introduced together with the results. It is not clear whether these methods are part of the standard. - The discussion is rather a summary of the results - it is necessary to think of alternative approaches, there is a lack of generalization of the results to different type of laboratories, reflections on what would happen if... On the contrary, I would like to greatly appreciate: - a very comprehensible and informative summary of information about QMS and related standards - the author's systematic and purpose driven approach with specific recommendations for increasing the quality of the laboratory of energy-intensive processes - Figure 8 with an excellent presentation of Results of preliminary study by clauses - consistent internal audit (checklist in the appendix) Conclusion: Student Rohit Mahajan has successfully reached all the goals of the assignment and his thesis fulfills the expectations associated with a diploma thesis at the FME BUT. The above-mentioned shortcomings do not significantly decrease the quality of thesis. I definitely recommend presenting it at the defense.

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