With higher prices knocking consumer confidence, and the global economy heading for a recession, quality management is more critical than ever if businesses are to survive.
Quality management and technology: massive leaps forward
Advanced technologies, such as AI and machine learning are driving efficiency and quality gains like never before.
Businesses that relied on traditional quality processes are increasingly pivoting to AI to deliver automated systems that can predict defects and inefficiencies before they become a problem.
Quality management is transitioning from a reactive to a proactive approach. Benefits to organisations include enhanced precision and accuracy, limited downtime and significant cost and time savings.
The rapid adoption of technology is borne out by exponential increase in investment. According to a Clear Seas Research survey, 55% of businesses are planning to boost their spending on AI. That’s off a base of just 8% of companies that are currently using AI-driven quality solutions.
It isn’t only generative AI that is revolutionizing quality management.
Regulated businesses are adopting “agentic” AI as an emerging approach to compliance.
When combined with Large Language Models (LLMS), machine learning and natural language processing, agentic AI can make decisions and perform complex tasks, without human input.
Cloud-based systems are also proving to be a game-changer. By providing rapid access to data, improving team communication and collaboration, and optimizing workflows, cloud-based systems enable earlier and more agile responses across companies and their supply chains.
Emerging technologies for quality professionals
Aside from AI, machine learning and cloud-based quality management systems, technologies of growing interest to quality professionals in 2025 are:
- Augmented Analytics – uses technologies like AI, machine learning and natural language processing to enhance data analysis in terms of quality processes and performance.
- Blockchain technology – enables the transparent and immutable recording of quality data to allow companies to track compliance, ensure the integrity of data and improve efficiency in quality control.
- Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) – a network of computational components and physical processes that work together in real-time to improve monitoring, enhance control and optimize quality.
- Internet of Things (IoT) – uses sensors and connected devices to monitor and enhance the quality of manufacturing processes and products.
- Sensor technologies – detect and alert businesses to defects or anomalies, enabling a swift and proactive response.
Renewed prioritisation of investment in quality
Last year, we saw stabilization after a period of exceptional inflationary pressure. Now, in 2025, businesses have turned from knee-jerk cost cutting to longer-term cost reduction strategies.
That includes a focus on reducing the potentially very high costs of “escapes”, product recalls and compliance failures.
As an example, the medical device industry has witnessed a 115% increase in product recalls since 2018, costing businesses a total of $5 billion per year.
Supply chain disruption and risk
Global volatility politically and economically –is changing the way businesses are run. Increased uncertainty about cross-border trade and traditionally strong relationships is disrupting global supply chains and heightening risk.
Tariffs are negatively affecting businesses across the world. Accurate demand forecasting and inventory planning is no longer possible.
Only businesses that diversify their supply chains, communicate constantly with customers, and build relationships with a wider network of distributors and retailers, are likely to survive an era defined by economic instability.
As a result, key supply chain trends to manage include:
- skepticism about cross-border trade co-operation
- cyber criminals ramping up activity
- key material access turmoil
- changing shape of manufacturing footprints
- morphing retail and distribution supply chains
- acceleration of supply chain technology investments
- scrutiny of scope 3 emissions.
To manage these supply chain trends, small and medium businesses must have three things in place.
- Capability: a mature supply chain planning capability in order to successfully address supply chain risks and opportunities.
- Agility: an agile and responsive supply chain that can manage the unexpected and deal with disruptions appropriately, efficiently and profitably.
- End-to-end forward-looking visibility: digital capabilities that give your business “control tower” visibility on key real-time indicators; maneuverability within your supply chain; and real-time collaboration with supply chain partners.
Quality management and talent shortages
A number of industries face persistent talent shortages, especially in skilled sectors. Quality management itself is also affected.
Upskilling existing employees and implementing new, partly or completely autonomous technology solutions are among the strategies businesses are using to address the challenges.
Merging of environmental health and safety (EHS) and quality functions
Many quality professionals increasingly have a role in environmental health and safety (EHS). A dual role is particularly common in certain industries, such as the food & beverage, consumer goods and chemical sectors.
Typically, quality and EHS solutions are separate tools that work together. But, as quality and EHS roles merge, professionals want a single software solution that handles both quality and EHS.
Broad adoption of cloud-based QMS software
The prevailing economic conditions in 2025 have increased the urgency for companies to manage risk and move forward with digital transformation.
Worldwide, companies are broadly adopting cloud-based QMS software.
These investments are alleviating a range of challenges, especially as they relate to supplier management. Businesses are actively seeking a QMS solution featuring a supplier portal that handles documents and audits.
QM and cybersecurity risks
Cybersecurity is a significant concern for almost all businesses. Companies that have transitioned to hybrid workplaces also face new types of cybersecurity risks.
For quality professionals, these risks can’t be ignored in quality systems, processes or audits. Addressing them calls for strategic, risk-based thinking.
