Quality departments are often seen as standing in the way of innovation or creativity. However, their primary directive is protection. Protecting the company from FDA/NGO intervention. Protecting the company from releasing bad products. Protecting the business in general. But as described in the scenario posed by Dr. Simon, the quality department is the ounce of prevention that is worth far more than the pound (or millions of pounds) of cure. It is often very difficult when looking at the quality department externally to appreciate what they do. They are often seen as the “no” department, or the “try again” department. But they are critical to ensuring that the “yes” that you do get, is safe, and within guidelines set forth by governing agencies.