Where to begin is frequently a question that executives wishing to secure an ISO 9001 Certification ask. In this article, we'll suggest a practical 5-Step process that you can take to get started (often the most challenging part).
The knowledge and information given here are essential if you and your colleagues are to make an informed decision as to the following:
a) whether ISO Certification is suitable for your organisation at this time and
b) as to the amount of effort and resources that would be required.
Read on to learn more.
Quality is fundamentally about an organisation's ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer requirements.
Adopting a quality management system is a strategic decision for an organisation that goes beyond the ability to provide a quality product or service. It can help to improve the organisation’s overall performance and provide a sound basis for sustainable improvement initiatives.
The potential benefits to an organisation of implementing a Quality Management System (QMS) based on ISO 9001:2015 are:
ISO 9001 Lead Implementer Course image map. Click on the image thumbnail to see the course summary in full size, or click the button on the other side to see the complete course overview.
ISO publishes four standards that focus directly on an organisation's QMS:
These standards are copyright-protected text and must be purchased. (For purchasing information, refer to section 1, "Purchase ISO standards.")
All the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 are generic and are intended to apply to any organisation, regardless of its type or size or the products and services it provides.
These standards form the framework within which you will establish a QMS. That framework is described in the next section. This framework can be applied (with some modification) to any of the ISO Management System Standards (ISO 14001, ISO 45001, etc.)
Your first objective is to inform yourself about what’s involved in designing, implementing and maintaining a Management System. To begin:
The ’33 Steps to ISO 9001:2015 Certification’ flowchart is on the right. Please download a copy and study it carefully and note…
The 33 Steps have been set out in a simple sequence for ease ofeasytanding. In reality, you will frequently be working on several steps simultaneously. This will help reduce the overall timescale for the project. When project planning with your project team, you should seek out and document such opportunities.
Relating the 33 Steps to the Standard is not immediately apparent. The Implementation Model, where each of the six elements is mapped against the main parts of the Standard, may help. The 33 Steps will take you through each of the six elements in a logical sequence.
Before establishing a QMS and drafting the various documents for your QMS, you should purchase copies of the pertinent ISO standards, namely:
You can purchase these standards from the following online stores:
If you still need to become a lead auditor, you need to get to that level so that the decision to proceed with the Project is adequately informed.
In addition to conventional Lead Auditor Training, we offer Lead Implementer Training, among others. Check out the infographic below to see your options.
Now you can have an informed discussion with your top management and colleagues regarding ISO 9001 Certification for your organisation. Essentially, there are three options…
Option 1: Defer or drop the ISO 9001 Certification Project. This is the easy option, but here you forego the efficiencies and increased business that implementing and maintaining the Standard can bring.
Option 2: Proceed with the Project using your own resources alone. If your team is knowledgeable about management systems and has been deeply involved previously in implementing and maintaining a management system, this may be a viable option.
Option 3: Proceed with the Project with outside support. Please supplement your resources with the services of a Consultant or, if part of a multinational, the services of experienced colleagues from similar sites.
By the way, when you choose a consultant, please be careful. Engage only a consultant with experience in similar businesses to your own, and check out the references provided (a site visit or two may be helpful).
We wish you the best of luck and early success in securing ISO 9001 Certification.
We have chosen ISO 21001 certification because it is based on independent third-party assessment, unlike IRCA and Exemplar badges (which we believe are commercially compromised). It is a ‘university grade’ standard globally by schools, colleges, and universities to demonstrate competence.