R. Rudel - A Qualitative Look at Research

Roman Rudel

A Qualitative Look at Research

From its beginnings in 2010 to today, the topic of quality has become part of research and has evolved with it. Roman Rudel, Director of the Institute for Applied Sustainability to the Built Environment (ISAAC) of the Department for Environment, Constructions and Design (DACD), tells how.

How important is the issue of quality within ISAAC?

The topic of quality first emerged with the ISO 17025 accreditation of our photovoltaic laboratory in 2010. With its introduction, it was also necessary to overcome the resistance and prejudices of researchers and employees towards a quality system. After a few years, quality has now become part of everyday life. Various areas of the Institute and the constant changes would be difficult to manage without a quality system.

Do the research quality processes integrated in SUPSI's Quality Assurance System enable continuous improvement dynamics?

The three processes of the SUPSI Quality System for the research area refer to a more abstract level. They cover and regulate important aspects of research, such as the management of intellectual property rights, the creation of start-ups and spin-offs and the various phases of a research project. In particular, the last of the three processes, which encompasses the entire workflow of research projects, aims at constant improvement. This improvement concerns, on the one hand, the satisfaction of the end customer or client and, on the other hand, the process and optimal use of all necessary resources. The monitoring of these processes and the results obtained need to be further developed to ensure full awareness on the part of all employees.

What does quality represent for you in your daily activities?

The Quality Assurance System helps me in the day-to-day running of the Institute by defining the same rules of the game for all employees and giving them the opportunity to improve and adapt them at any time. Employees thus participate in the quality system and it becomes part of the working culture.