The DQR was developed under the joint responsibility of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs. In order to develop the DQR and to coordinate the process, they introduced a DQR Federal Government-Federal State coordination group (B-L-KG DQR). The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the Conference of Economics Ministers were also part of this group. When the DQR was introduced in 2013, the DQR Federal Government-Federal State Coordination Group became the DQR Federal Government-Federal State Coordination Point (B-L-KS DQR).

Additional relevant stakeholders are also involved in the development and implementation of the DQR. These include higher education and VET organisations, social partners and business organisations, as well as experts from academia and practice. Together these form the DQR Working Group (AK DQR). This is where all relevant decisions and resolutions regarding the development and implementation of the DQR are discussed and adopted. More than 100 experts have been involved in testing and developing the DQR in other working groups.