In the fall of 2011, the CNR Life Sciences Department organized a training course on Quality principles, techniques, and methodologies, sponsored by the CNR project “FaReBio di Qualità” (funded by the Italian Ministry of Economics and Finance www.cnrmezzogiorno.it).

At the end of the course, 10 researchers from different CNR institutes and the Quality consultant joined in a research network named qPMO (Quality and Project Management OpenLab) and developed a project for the generation of a Total Quality Management (TQM) System to support scientific research.

The possibility of translating and successfully applying TQM principles and methods to scientific research laboratories in order to improve their efficiency, effectiveness and social impact, was a particularly challenging goal. We became convinced that this goal could only be reached through the development of appropriate strategies and models for scientific research. To meet these needs, we have developed a real “research project” in which the identification of TQM models applicable to scientific laboratories is both its objective and “modus operandi.”

In February 2012, the project was approved and funded by the Life Sciences Department and “FaReBio di Qualità,” and got under way soon after.

Last Revision 17 July 2014