HTL Q-SYS builds on the joint, nationwide valid HTL mission statement, which can be supplemented to include statements specific to the school location. The mission statement includes the core messages regarding the educational processes of the schools and colleges for engineering, arts and crafts, which are presented in the following seven quality areas: "educational mission", "innovative programmes", "practice orientation", "quality", "environment for learning and working", "personnel" and "internationalism". From the mission statement, evaluable quality objectives are derived, which are broken down into concrete sub-objectives.

HTL Q-SYS is process-oriented. The processes relevant for HTL are summarised in a concise form in the so-called matrix of quality objectives (or Q-matrix for short). This summary comprises the key process components, which are the following: process input (objectives and sub-objectives); an exemplary list of measures to achieve objectives and hence a desirable process output; as well as indicators for the attainment of objectives; specifications on the evaluation and the required instruments. The Q-matrix bundles processes into so-called key-processes; these express the central activities to be conducted on every system level for attaining the quality objectives.

At the core of HTL Q-SYS there is the PDCA cycle (Plan – Do – Check – Act). This cycle thus comprises four steps: First of all, the development objectives and implementation measures are planned in a work or school programme (P). Subsequently, the plan must be carried out via processes according to specified procedural instructions (process descriptions) within the framework of the legal, organisational and financial scopes (D). Thereafter, the impact on the initiated measures must be assessed and outcomes gathered (C); this substep is supported by provision of a web-based evaluation system with integrated standard evaluations. Finally, results are analysed and presented in the quality report together with follow-up planning (A). These will then form the basis for the decisions about future improvement measures to be reached in the course of management & performance reviews.

Download: HTL Q-Matrix