Quality - 1. The essential character of something; 2. A distinguishing characteristic; 3. Superiority of kind; 4. Degree or grade of excellence; 5 Degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfills requirements.

The Science of Learning provides great insight upon which to build effective and efficient courseware, but what about the development of that courseware? Is there a way to develop instructionally sound courseware that meets prescribed specifications to ensure portability and reusability while applying the ISO 9001:2000 quality standards to the development process? Some would argue that doing this essentially reduces the development of courseware to a production line process. Instructional Designers fear the loss of creativity and would argue it can't be done because they need free reign to apply the Science of Learning. Industry would argue that applying standards would rob them of their uniqueness and government personnel have a hard time understanding the principles of ISO 9001:2000.

Broken down into its basic processes, the design and development of courseware IS a production line process. Additionally, it is well understood that the application of the ISO 9001:2000 model works extremely well in a production environment. This paper discusses the fundamentals of a quality management system as the business strategy for production of instructionally sound courseware. More specifically: What is an ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System and how can it be applied to Courseware Design and Development.