Quality Policy
Quality at RTI
We have earned a reputation for excellence by providing our clients with superior-quality research, development, and technical services. We ensure that our work meets the highest standards of professional performance, satisfies or exceeds client and regulatory requirements, and delivers exceptional value.
Corporate Quality Program
We recognize that quality is essential for all of our operations and is critical for every program and project. At RTI, quality is everyone's responsibility. Our quality program is based on our corporate value of excellence. The immediate goals of the quality program are to establish appropriate quality procedures, quality assessments, continuous improvement processes and, where necessary, corrective actions to ensure the quality of our products and services and other client deliverables.
Employee Involvement
We have established an infrastructure to support quality that operates at multiple levels. A quality steering committee and working group monitor and coordinate quality efforts across the organization. The steering committee is charged with aligning the research group quality systems around RTI's strategic vision and values. The committee develops annual quality objectives. Our quality working group receives input on needs, guidelines, and standards from our external customers -- clients from both industry and government agencies. Each research group has designated quality champions who lead the implementation of quality and best practices and who communicate progress back to the steering committee and working group.
Quality Policy Statement
Our quality policy statement (shown above) is a manifestation of our corporate value of excellence, and it serves as a pledge to our clients and enhances awareness of this value across our organization.
Quality Manual
RTI has published a Quality Manual that communicates our quality policy statement and describes the quality management systems we have developed to serve our customers and promote continuous improvement for all of our products and services. Current and prospective clients may request a copy of the Manual from our Regulatory and Quality Assurance Program office.
Quality Management Systems
Quality management systems are formalized systems that document the structure, responsibilities, and procedures required to achieve excellence in program and project management. RTI uses a variety of quality management systems based on client and project needs. Several research groups have established independent quality assurance offices or units.
We recognize that project managers (e.g., principal investigators, study directors) are the best single point of control to continuously update and reevaluate project quality activities based on the most recent technical and scientific information. Each program area strives to reduce waste, errors, and inefficiency; to reduce response time; and to improve overall customer service and satisfaction.
Our research programs in pharmaceutical, chemistry, environmental, and energy use a quality system based on regulatory compliance. The quality programs that support these research areas are primarily derived from principles of good laboratory practice (GLP), good clinical practice (GCP), good manufacturing practice (GMP), the American National Standards Institute, the International Organization for Standardization, and other regulatory and standards organizations.
Our research programs in surveys, statistics, epidemiology, health economics, education, and related social sciences use a comprehensive manual of rigorous quality standards and guidelines. The quality system for the social sciences integrates quality planning, quality control, and quality improvement functions. It requires that independent project and peer reviews be conducted to ensure that quality practices are being followed.
Our programs in international development use a wide range of initiative-based quality activities related to democratic governance and applied technical assistance for developing countries.