I believe that conflicts between R&D and Quality departments can be significantly reduced if both functions understand their role. For example, the R&D department considers itself responsible for quality of the product and the Quality department feels equally responsible for designing the product right. These departments focus on their role and at the same time making one another successful. When a problem arises, team members assume accountability and strive to resolve it in the best way possible first ensuring patient safety and second taking into account of what is the best for the company as a whole (it is not about either departments). Establishing this level of collaborative teamwork will be likely reduce conflicts between these two departments.