Guide 5 A Methodological Proposal for Defining a Quality Management System for an Online Learning Centre EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This guide is intended to help trainers and trainees to understand the importance of a stakeholder management approach, based on a process driven organization of the work.
In order to discuss quality of e-learning centres and related activities, it focuses on:

	requests of different stakeholders,
	value of tangible and intangible assets,
	e-learning processes,
	organization processes,
	pedagogical and technological standards,
	paradigms and best practices in quality management and quality assurance,
	set up of a quality management system,
	quality applied to e-learning centres.

In brief, the Guide strengthens the role of all constituencies in e-learning and suggests a clarification of the concepts and intent of the process approach to quality management systems.
Therefore, the discussion is not limited to the requirements of a specific standard (such as, for example, those of the ISO 9001:2000 series). A unique direction for conformity assessment purpose in a specific country is not provided.
However, some requirements to those contained in ISO: 9001:2000 are added. As a matter of fact, the new standards promote the adoption of a process approach when developing, implementing and improving a quality management system.
The Guide recommends the implementation of an e-learning plan, that should include the following:

	Vision and Mission Statement,
	Key Recommendations for Implementation,
	KLA eLearning Plans - Curriculum focus,
	Hardware, software, network procedures,
	Technical support,
	Professional development.

It also explains how the approach could be structured and made feasible.