Frequently Asked Questions

Process Improvement is the structured review of how work is carried out to identify opportunities for clearer, more consistent and effective ways of working. It can involve process mapping, assessment, redesign, documentation and ongoing review. The purpose and scope depend on what the organisation wants to understand or achieve.

Process mapping creates a visual representation of how activities, information, decisions and responsibilities connect within a process. It can help make the current way of working easier to understand and provide a basis for assessment, documentation or improvement.

A process describes how related activities work together to achieve an outcome. A procedure provides more detailed instructions for carrying out a particular activity or part of that process. The level of documentation required depends on the organisation and the purpose of the engagement.

A Standard Operating Procedure, or SOP, is a controlled document describing how a defined activity should be performed. SOPs can support consistency, training, Quality Management and other organisational requirements where appropriate.

Quality Management is the structured management of activities, responsibilities, processes and controls used to support an organisation’s quality objectives. The appropriate approach depends on the organisation, its activities and any applicable customer, standard or regulatory requirements.

A Quality Management System, or QMS, is the framework an organisation uses to manage its quality-related processes, responsibilities, documentation and controls. Its structure and level of formality vary according to the organisation and its requirements.

Grounded describes how H-Queex approaches Process Improvement. Every engagement starts with what the business already has: its tools, habits and people, and builds toward what best serves it. For an established business, that means mapping and improving how work is done today. For a new business, it means building on well-designed processes from the start. The result is a lean, documented system that fits the business it was built for.

Clarity System is H-Queex's structured Grounded Process Improvement service, starting with what the business already has. It is organised into Clarity Base, Clarity Plus, and Clarity Partner, so an engagement can progress from assessment and understanding through redesign, documentation, and ongoing review.

Clarity Base focuses on understanding, mapping and assessing the agreed process. Clarity Plus builds on the Base findings to redesign and document the process and identify opportunities for digital support. Clarity Partner provides ongoing monitoring and improvement support for processes established through Clarity Plus.

Yes. Clarity is designed as a progressive service journey: Base → Plus → Partner. Each stage builds on work completed in the previous stage, with the scope and outputs agreed for each engagement.

Clarity Base starts with the business's current way of working: understanding the agreed scope and objectives, mapping the current process, assessing how it operates, and documenting the findings. The exact activities depend on the process and information available.

Documentation depends on the agreed engagement and may include process maps, process documentation, SOPs and supporting materials. The required documents and level of detail are agreed as part of the scope.

Digital opportunities are areas where technology may support or simplify part of a process. H-Queex can identify and document potential directions for digital support and provide relevant implementation support where agreed. Technology selection and business decisions remain with the client.

Lean QMS Officer provides ongoing outsourced Quality Management support through three independent service levels: Essentials, Standard and Elite. The appropriate level depends on the agreed scope and the type of support required.

Essentials focuses on maintaining QMS documentation and periodic review. Standard adds broader QMS management and regular Process Improvement analysis. Elite provides deeper Quality Management oversight, performance review and continuous improvement analysis.

No. Essentials, Standard and Elite are independent service levels rather than sequential stages. The appropriate level is selected according to the client’s requirements and agreed scope.

Process review and improvement opportunities can form part of Lean QMS support. The depth of Process Improvement activity depends on the selected service level and agreed scope, with broader analysis and recommendations provided at the higher levels.

No. H-Queex provides professional assessment, monitoring, analysis, documentation, information, improvement opportunities, recommendations and support within the agreed scope. Business and process direction, decisions, approvals, actions and operational ownership remain with the client.

Work outside the agreed monthly scope is identified and scoped separately before it begins. This may include additional documentation, new process analysis, additional support hours or other project-based Quality Management work.

Lean QMS Officer provides outsourced Quality Management support within an agreed scope, without creating an internal employment role. The level of support can be selected according to the organisation’s needs, while business decisions, approvals and operational ownership remain with the client. An employed Quality Manager is an internal role whose responsibilities are defined by the employing organisation.

“From” indicates the minimum project or engagement fee for Clarity Base and Clarity Plus, and the minimum monthly engagement fee for Clarity Partner and Lean QMS Officer. Final pricing depends on the agreed scope, complexity and level of support required.

Pricing is confirmed after the requirements, scope, expected outputs and appropriate service have been discussed and agreed. Where additional work falls outside an agreed scope, it is separately scoped and priced before proceeding.

An engagement begins with an enquiry or Register Interest submission, followed by an initial discussion to understand what support is required. The objectives, scope, expected outputs and appropriate service are then agreed before work begins.

The information required depends on the engagement. Relevant process information, current documentation, objectives and other agreed materials may be requested so that the current situation can be understood and the work appropriately scoped.

H-Queex can support relevant process assessment, documentation, Quality Management and preparation activities where these fit the agreed service and scope. The specific support required should be discussed and agreed before the engagement begins.

Some project-based engagements may align with business-support or funding programmes, depending on the client, project scope and programme eligibility. Funding availability and eligibility are determined by the relevant funding body and should be confirmed before an engagement begins. H-Queex can provide agreed scope and project information required to support a client’s application.

Clarity System is a structured Process Improvement engagement, progressing through Base, Plus and Partner according to the work required. Lean QMS Officer provides ongoing outsourced Quality Management support at one of three independent service levels.

Most work is delivered remotely through structured information exchange, online meetings and document sharing. In-person visits can be arranged where appropriate.

Delivery is remote by default, using calls and shared documentation. H‑Queex is based in Waterford, Ireland. An in-person visit can be arranged where physical presence is required. In-person visits have a fixed day rate. Travel and accommodation, where required, are charged separately and agreed in advance. If the client subsequently starts a Lean QMS Officer or Clarity Partner ongoing engagement, the visit day-rate fee is credited toward the first month.

The client remains responsible for business and process direction, decisions, approvals, actions and operational ownership. H-Queex provides the agreed assessment, information, documentation, analysis, recommendations and support.

Contact begins with the Register Interest form, followed by email. A phone call or meeting is arranged where useful. Where an in-person visit is needed, the fixed day rate and any separate travel and accommodation costs are agreed in advance. The visit day-rate fee is credited toward the first month if the client subsequently starts a Lean QMS Officer or Clarity Partner ongoing engagement.

The remote-first model allows engagements to be delivered consistently across Ireland. In-person visits can be arranged where appropriate. The outsourced quality manager and process improvement consultancy services cover QMS documentation, SOP writing, and Lean Six Sigma-informed process redesign.