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Abstract

An electronic process-based management system has been developed from a traditional paper-based system. Subject matter is presented as concise topics containing minimum prescription, and may be accessed in numerous quite different ways. The complete system contains only one-third of the number of words in the original version. Users gain access to topics via an on-screen alphabetic keyboard, business processes, topic groups, the European Model for Total Quality Management, or the requirements of ISO 9001. A word-processor-style search facility is also provided. The level of detail presented to the screen is controlled by users. Default topics present a full description of minimum requirements, but each screen offers the option of going up or down a level of detail. The management system includes cross-references to ISO 9001 and TickIT, hot-spotted business process diagrams linked to lists of related topics, and electronic forms. Two change logs provide cumulative and topic-by-topic change information, in both cases linked to the relevant changed topics. The management system is delivered on the World-wide Web, a world-wide hypermedia system and part of the Internet, and has been approved by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance.