I receive a question asking, “What is the difference between monitoring and calibration?”

At first, I was skeptical to answer the question because I was thinking that it is a very simple question. But I realize that it is not a simple question, it has a broader meaning and explanation that we need to determine to understand its application better.

Without understanding the true meaning of the term monitoring in relation to calibration and ISO 9001 calibration requirements, then the true purpose of calibration will become irrelevant.

We are using the process of monitoring in our own body like monitoring our weight, our blood pressure, and our body temperature to come up with diagnosis and treatment for any abnormalities to help maintain a healthy body.

With wrong or inaccurate measurement data, a wrong diagnosis will be given. For this reason, calibration is performed for the measurement device used in monitoring, which is the deeper purpose of why we need calibration.

In every plant or manufacturing industries that I visited, we perform calibration because we want to determine if the instruments are within its accuracy specification or to verify if it is within the tolerance specified by the process owner. I believe that to most calibration techs, that is the main purpose why calibration is performed

What we do not see is the true end goal, in which, we perform calibration in order for the measuring equipment/devices provide the most valid data for accurate monitoring. This in return will provide safety, quality, and reliability of the final product or process that will be beneficial to every human being.

In this post, I will discuss below topics and to present with you simple explanations (I believe) about monitoring in terms of its meaning, usage or application to calibration activities, and ISO requirements as per ISO 17025 and ISO 9001.

1. What is the difference between monitoring, measurement, and calibration?
2. What is the importance of monitoring and measurement in the Calibration Process?
3. When to Perform Monitoring and Measurement?
4. Monitoring of Measurement Resources- Direct Application for In-House Calibration Implementation
   • What measurement resources need to be monitored
   • What  measuring resources does not need to be monitored
5. Some techniques to analyze and evaluate monitoring and measurement results
6. Applications of monitoring and measurement as per ISO 17025:2017       
   
   

What is the Difference between Monitoring, Measurement, and Calibration?

The term “monitoring” is used in almost all process in the ISO standard, and it always comes with measurement or calibration. Sometimes, monitoring and measuring have the same meaning. See the example below.

Example (This is an example from ISO 9001:2015 under clause 7.1.5.1 where monitoring and measuring are the same.):

The organization shall determine and provide the resources needed to ensure valid and reliable results when monitoring or measuring is used to verify the conformity of products and services to requirements.

In this ISO clause, monitoring and measuring is the same and pertains to measuring resources, in simple term, a piece of measuring equipment.

Know, let us define them separately….

Monitoring

When you google the meaning of monitoring, this is how it is defined:  to observe and check the progress or quality of (something) over a period of time;

The term ‘something’ refers to a measurand, the quantity values subject for measurement (example of quantity is pressure and temperature). 

Monitoring is the processes that support the quality management of the calibration process. Measurement data from a measurement procedure are gathered over a period of time then an analysis and evaluation follows. (I will explain further below)

Measurement

Again, in Google’s free dictionary, this is what measurement means: the action of measuring something.

Measuring:  to discover the exact size or amount of something

AS per VIM 2.1 definition, measurement means: “ process of experimentally obtaining one or more
quantity values that can reasonably be attributed to a quantity“

This ‘something’ is the ‘quantity values’. A quantity values is what we want to measure like pressure (psi), temperature (degree Celsius), mass (kg), etc, these quantity values is known as the measurand.

We are performing measurement using a measuring equipment in order to obtain the exact size or amount of the measurand. The output of our measuring equipment is the measurement results.

And in order to have reliable and accurate measurement results, measurement equipment must be calibrated.

Calibration

Calibration as we always define in simple terms is the comparison of the UUC (Unit under Calibration) reading to the output reading of the reference standard.

Once we know the true value, we can determine the error, verify if it is within tolerance or specification and make an adjustment if needed.

Check here for more calibration terms and principles.

To sum it all….

It is here now where monitoring, measurement, and calibration come along.  

Monitoring is the process of analyzing, evaluating, interpreting data results from a measured parameter within a specified time to verify conformity. Every monitoring activities need measurement results in order to have valid data for analysis and evaluation.

Because we are performing a measurement, we are using measuring devices, equipment, and instrument or in general, measuring resources that must undergo calibration to deliver a reliable result.

During monitoring activities, we use calibrated measuring instruments to achieve confidence with our monitoring results.

Importance of Monitoring and Measurement in Calibration Process      

The reason we monitor and measure the processes in calibration is to:

1. Improve or to make processes better.

2. Maintain quality

3. Determine any defects

4. Maintain safety

5. Ensure the effective operation and control of these processes

6. Verify the conformity of products and services to requirements

7. Safeguarding monitoring and measurement resources from adjustments, damage or deterioration that would invalidate the calibration status and subsequent measurement results.

When to Perform Monitoring and Measurement?

Monitoring and measurement is performed when we need to:

1. Determine equipment performance
2. Analyze and evaluate risk
3. Analyze and evaluate the outcome of the final output
4. Controlling process to maintain the quality and validity of results

Monitoring of Measurement Resources- Calibration Implementation Process

Monitoring is always used in almost every process in the industry, but do we really know what needs to be monitored? How can we perform monitoring?

Measurement resources cover all instruments, devices, and equipment including software that are used for quantitative measurement, meaning to measure something related to size, magnitude or degree.

In this section, I will present the monitoring activities used to control and properly maintained all measuring resources to ensure the validity of results.

The activities we perform to monitor measuring resources are:

1. Inclusion in the calibration program to monitor a:
   a. Calibration interval
   b. Performance verification of measurement results
   c. Intermediate check
   d. records (certificates, datasheets, and history file)
   e. Traceability
   f. Preventive maintenance plan
   g. Incoming
   h. Outgoing
2. To be included in the quality system process or procedure like:
   a. Internal audit
   b. Improvement plans.
   c. Records control

.What Measurement Resources Needs To Be Monitored

What needs to be calibrated must be included in our monitoring. These includes:

1. All instruments used that can affect product quality
2. All measuring instruments that are used to determine a pass or fail results
3. Reference standards use to calibrate working instruments.
4. All instruments that have an effect on the validity of the laboratory activities (calibration, verification, sampling, and testing)
5. All measuring instruments that are used for  calibration, verification, sampling and testing activities
6. Instruments use for monitoring safety

What Measuring Resources Does Not Need Monitoring?

An instrument which does not need monitoring means it does not need calibration.

These monitoring or measuring instruments has no effect or direct impact on the safety, quality of products and other reasons that are listed above.

Anything, where calibration is not needed, will be regarded as calibration not required and may be removed from our monitoring list or a much lighter approach of monitoring will be implemented.

This will save time and effort. See this link for more details about this topic.

Some Techniques Use to Analyse and Evaluate Monitoring and Measurement Results –Performing Monitoring

After we gather measurement results, we can use below tools or techniques to analyze and evaluate the measurement data to come up with the final monitoring results.

There are other tools to automate this process but this is the simplest tool I used and it is just fine with me.

1. Control charts
2. Graphs
3. Tables
4. Basic Statistical data analysis like mean and standard deviation

Application of Monitoring and Measurement as per ISO 17025:2017 Requirements

These are also applicable to the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 for monitoring and measurement activities.

I have listed 4 categories where monitoring and measurement  are implemented (you can include other processes that you may think I did not mention here, please feel free to comment), these are:

1. Monitoring and measurement of process performance

Monitoring and measuring the output from:

a. customer survey
b. internal audit
c. objectives monitoring
d. analysis of risk and opportunities
e. competence of personnel
f. improvements
g. proper handling
h. non-conforming calibration works

2. Monitoring of measurement resources –  control of monitoring and measurement equipment

Monitoring below results to ensure the confidence of reference standards:

a. Calibration status
b. Traceability
c. Calibration interval/Calibration frequency
d. Verified before use
e. Validated before use
f. Measurement Uncertainty
g. Preventive maintenance

3. Monitoring of facilities in terms of:

a. Environmental conditions
b. Security and safety – access to and use of areas affecting laboratory activities;
c. The effective separation between areas with incompatible laboratory activities prevention of contamination, interference or adverse influences on laboratory activities;

4. Monitoring the validity of results  

Monitoring the validity of results by performing below activities:

a. Use of reference materials
b. Calibration method validation
c. Functionality check
d. Intermediate check
e. Recalibration
f. Review of reported results
g. Proficiency testing
h. Interlaboratory comparison
i. and others

Conclusion

Monitoring and measurement are the two most performed activity within an industry. As per calibration per se, monitoring and measuring equipment have the same meaning or use, and thus calibration requirement must be implemented for both.

As per process application, monitoring and measurement come together. It is difficult or even impossible to monitor something without using any measurement resources. Almost every process within an industry, specifically manufacturing, food, and pharmaceutical industry needs monitoring and measurement.

In this article, I presented the following:

1. What are the differences between monitoring, measurement, and calibration?
2. What is the importance of monitoring and measurement in the Calibration Process?
3. When to Perform Monitoring and Measurement?
4. Monitoring of Measurement Resources- Direct Application for In-House Calibration Implementation
   • What measurement resources need to be monitored?
   • What measuring resources does not need to be monitored?
5. Some techniques to analyze and evaluate monitoring and measurement results
6. Applications of monitoring and measurement as per ISO 17025:2017 

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Best Regards,

Edwin