Development of a Framework for Improving the Process of Updating Quality Master Data : A case study at AstraZeneca

In today’s market, where customers expect to receive their product quicker while products are produced in global settings with more process steps included, companies are forced into streamlining and reducing waste in their operations to remain competitive. To achieve a more efficient production operation, companies must use different methods to continuously improve their operations. AstraZeneca is a global company where large amounts of information and data flow through their operations. Master data is the data that concerns the most critical aspects of an enterprises operations and maintaining master data with high quality is paramount for what is most important, ensuring product quality for the patient. The pharmaceutical industry is legally restricted and for AstraZeneca to be operational, they must follow good manufacturing practice. Master data can affect many different areas at a company, and the master data that is central for this report is quality master data which is master data that concerns quality parameters. To update quality master data, AstraZeneca uses a process that today is very complex and often encounters issues. The purpose of this case study is to develop a framework for the process of updating quality master data at AstraZeneca. The framework aims to standardize, harmonize, and improve the process of updating quality master data at AstraZeneca, so that errors and lead times throughout the process are reduced, ensuring consistency and reliability. The report is based on a single case study, examining the current state of the process of updating quality master data at AstraZeneca. The study used a deductive approach, starting with a literature review to then understand the current state of the company. This was done by extracting data from the company and performing unstructured interviews with representatives from the company. Furthermore, the analysis done in this report consisted of a problem analysis, empirical analysis, and a final analysis. Based on the empirical analysis and literature review, a final analysis that resulted in the framework was done. The framework was inspired by theories and methods in the literature along with the current state at the company. The resulting framework includes methods for improving master data, mapping process flows, and improving process flows. The analysis of the current state mapped out several inconsistencies in the current process. The framework aimed to reduce these inconsistencies and further improve the process. The developed framework consists of four sections that help to fulfill the purpose. The sections regarded standardizing, harmonizing, and improving the process, including a management section to help in improving the process. The elements in the sections helped to develop the framework, were created activities in the standardization section would help in standardizing informational processes. That same thought process was made for activities in the harmonization section and process section. The activities in the management section would support the improvement activities in the process section.