If you want a simple approach to the creation of an in-plant data management system, there is a made to order option. Most of this work has already been done for you by WTCA’s Quality Control Committee, whose goal was to create robust management information for all component manufacturers to use. As most of you are aware, it is called the In-Plant WTCA QC Program and is now available to you.

It is not mandatory for you to use the In-Plant WTCA QC program. But it is certainly worth a look to see what it can offer you for your in-house quality assurance needs. Its data collection information forms have been redesigned and harmonized with the TPI Third Party auditing process to make the quality assurance certification as seamless as possible. Your surprise audit is much less of a surprise to your staff if the inspector is doing “his thing” the same way your folks do it. In addition, Version 4.0 includes a database that stores your information for future reference. Analytical reports on crew performance, joint quality and equipment can be generated with a few simple key strokes. Valuable data can be pulled out of the “file cabinet” and is instantly available at your fingertips.

Compare this to your current quality assurance program. Does it give you any useable data or only files full of forms? Users of In-Plant WTCA QC have been able to track and solve problems in the manufacturing plant by analyzing trends identified with their collected data. Could this information be useful to your staff as well? Quality data is raw knowledge waiting to be absorbed. Whatever the process or procedure you ultimately put in place in your facility, be sure to collect and analyze the data. Quality and quality assurance start with the management and work down from there. Share the information with your staff and challenge them with coming up with ways to improve your weaknesses. Compliment their strengths and successes.

• TPI 1-2007 Changes: Improving the In-Plant Quality Control Standard by Ryan J. Dexter, P.E. & Tony Piek
  December 2006 SBC MAGAZINE.
  
  
• Is Your Plant Complying with IBC & IRC QC Building Code Requirements by Kirk Grundahl & Tony Piek
  November 2005 SBC MAGAZINE.
  
  
• Quality Control as a Data Management Tool by Tony Piek
  November 2005 SBC MAGAZINE.
  
  
• In-Plant WTCA QC Users Tell All by Libby Walters with Dave Motter, Steve Stroder & Dan Archer
  November 2004 SBC MAGAZINE.
  
  
• In-Plant Quality Control & Third Party Inspection Agencies: Working Together to Raise the Bar on Quality by Tony Piek
  November 2004 SBC MAGAZINE.
  
  
• Introducing ANSI/TPI 1-2002: Manufacturing Quality Assurance Procedure by Stan Sias WTCA Director of Industry Services & Membership and Kelly Gutting, TPI Technical Director
  September/October 2003 SBC MAGAZINE.
  
  
• New In-Plant WTCA QC Version 4.0 Has Arrived by Tony Piek
  May 2003 SBC MAGAZINE.
  
  
• What Is Your Strategy for Tackling In-Plant Quality? by Tony Piek
  May 2003 SBC MAGAZINE.
  
  
• Considering Quality — A Brief History of the QC Standard Change by Stan Sias
  November 2002 SBC MAGAZINE.
  
  
• The New TPI Quality — Improving QC Efficiency with Engineering Solutions by Kelly Gutting, Technical Director, Truss Plate Institute
  November 2002 SBC MAGAZINE.
  
  
• Complacency with Respect to Quality Adds to Risk by Kent J. Pagel
  November 2002 SBC MAGAZINE.
  
  
• "Knowledge Is Power: Introducing a New Quality Standard by Kirk Grundahl, P.E. & Professor Steve Cramer, P.E.
  November 2001 SBC MAGAZINE.
  
  
• "Why Use WTCA QC? Reason #7: WTCA QC Get a Handle on Your Lumber Substitutions" - by Jay Edgar & Rachel Smith
  June/July 2000 WOODWORDS.
  
  
• "WTCA QC: Bustin' Out All Over" - Jay Edgar
  March 2000 WOODWORDS.
  
  
• "Why Use WTCA QC? Reason #6: WTCA QC A Means to Reduce Legal Risk & Loss of Reputation" - by Kent Pagel
  January/February 2000 WOODWORDS.
  
  
• "Why Use WTCA QC? Reason #5: WTCA QC Cost Savings" - by Scott Ward
  November 1999 WOODWORDS.
  
  
• WTCA QC: The Answer to Your Quality Control Needs - by Jay Edgar
  November 1999 WOODWORDS.
  
  
• "Why Use WTCA QC? Reason #4: WTCA QC Can Be An Effective Part of Your Management Strategy" - by Jay Edgar
  September/October 1999 WOODWORDS.
  
  
• "Why Use WTCA QC? Reason #3: Establish Your Position in the Market, and Rake in the Rewards" - by Keith Kinser
  August 1999 WOODWORDS.
  
  
• "Why Use WTCA QC? Reason #2: Educate Your Plant Personnel on What You Mean by "QUALITY” - By Jay Edgar
  (June/July 1999 WOODWORDS.)
  
  
• "Why Use WTCA QC? Reason #1: Set the Standard for Quality, Before Someone Else Does it For You. - By Jay Edgar
  April 1999 WOODWORDS.