1. Research the Standards
Implementing an ISO management system is not something that is decided overnight. Organizations need to know what they are implementing, thus, there needs to be an understanding of the standard and what it’s expected to be gained with its implementation. Everyone in the organization needs to have basic knowledge of the standard being implemented, the importance of implementing it, and how their actions impacts the system. It is also recommended that a group of employees understand the standard thoroughly. Top management, even though they don’t necessarily need to be experts, they need to understand the importance of allocating resources for the implementation and maintenance of the desired ISO management system. Learn more about specific standards.

2. Create a Timeframe
After understanding the requirements of the standard, organizations need to plan how these will be met. The organization needs to analyse where they are, where they want to be and which are the available resources. With this information a plan must be traced with details of the specific actions, investments and the resources needed. Another important point in the planning process is establishing reasonable timelines; implementing a management system based on any ISO standard.

3. Gain Employee and Management Support
Organizations need to ensure that employees have the right competencies and technical knowledge for implementing the specific ISO management system. Training needs to be carefully planned and executed. Human capital is one of the most important resources an organization has for successfully implementing and certifying an ISO management system. Along with training employees, ensuring participation in the implementation and certification process is essential. Organizations can invest capital in infrastructure and technology, but if people do not participate in the improvement of processes, or worst, if people reject it, all the money and time invested will be lost. People need to be included from day one in the implementation and certification process of any ISO management system.

4. Implement the Standard
The next step it to map and understanding your organizations internal processes. Once the processes are mapped the standard you are utilizing can be implemented into these processes. You may wish to engage a consultant to assist in this process, or if you have the recourses available it can be done internally.

5. Choose a Registration Company
After an organization has advanced in the implementation process, it needs to choose the right Registration Company. The chosen Registrar will accompany the organization through the entire certification process. It is essential that the certification body has knowledge and experience in the ISO standard that has been implemented and in the type of industry/field of the organization seeking certification. Look for a Registration company who is certified themselves. Find a range of Registration companies.

Organizations go through a great deal of work, time and effort to implement management systems such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and many others. These management systems are implemented and certified for many reasons, and one of these reasons is recognition. Organizations want their clients, customers, consumers and other interested parties to recognize that their management systems follow specific standards and comply with certain requirements.

When a certification body is accredited, it means that an accreditation body has verified that it follows a series of standards and requirements that guarantee that their service is impartial, consistent, reliable and recognized internationally. These strict and regular checks that certification bodies undergo provide trust and credibility to the certification. Thus, accredited certification can provide confidence to clients, customers, regulators and other interested parties that the organization is complying with the specific standard, code of conduct or requirement.

Additional to having a certification recognized by all the interested parties of an organization, there are other benefits of accredited certification. These are:

Ensures competency
Accreditation can guarantee that the certification body is competent in assessing specific standards. Organizations want to make sure that auditors are knowledgeable, experienced and that can provide an impartial assessment in the management system being certified.

Provides legitimacy

This legitimacy is based on the participation and recognition of public authorities in the structure of the accreditation body, which follow strict international regulations.

Ensures equality of criteria

The regular checks of the certification body can guarantee that over the years the organization’s management system will be assessed by the same criteria. This equality of criteria will assist in the maturity of the management system, by supporting its continuous improvement, innovation and internal prestige. It can also support organizations in focusing on the achievement of proposed goals.

Reduces risks

Organizations rely on the outcome of their certification body’s assessment to make important decisions regarding their management system. Thus, it reduces the probability of making bad decisions regarding the management system and misallocating resources.
In general, with accredited certification it is possible to ensure legal compliance, guarantee objective and impartial assessments, ensure confidence and credibility with interested parties, focus on activities that add value, focus on what is important to the interests of the organization, and improve the assessment of the management system that will consequently support decision making.

These are the main reasons for choosing accredited certification, however, there could be others. There could be the case that a client or a regulatory body requires an organization to have an accredited certification. Thus, before choosing, organizations need to consider the above benefits and any other that could apply to their particular situation and their specific goals.

There are many accredited Registrars’ listed on the ISO Update Registrar Directory. Fine one here: http://isoupdate.com/registrar-listing/

Quality Management System Standards refers to an established policy framework which provides guidance on how organizations should manage their key processes. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has diversified standards for quality management systems, each of which focuses on a particular issue affecting businesses globally. Organizations who adhere to these standards can ensure their products and services consistently meet customer requirement and improve in quality. Therefore, adhering to these guidelines and obtaining ISO Certification is vital for measuring business proficiency, increasing profitability and marketing potential.

Elements of a Quality Management System

Quality Management System Standards are tailored to suit an organization’s unique needs, however, there are some elements all management systems have in common:

• A framework of Management Responsibility
• Product Realization
• Resource Management
• Statistical Analytics
• Purchasing Guidelines
• Inspection and Testing Standards
• Quality Records
• Training Protocols
• Quality Audits

Why businesses implement quality management system standards:

ISO standards are currently applied in many organizations from a wide range of industries including; manufacturing, aerospace, automotive and pharmaceuticals. For many organizations, the choice to implement ISO Standards is twofold; they are seeking improved quality, profitability and efficiency but it is often, a requirement from their customers or consumers. Particularly internationally-focused businesses with regulatory bodies or for suppliers of quality-sensitive products.

Benefits of Quality Management System Standards

Even when it is not a specific requirement from customers, there are still many benefits in implementing Quality Management System standards. Implementing a quality management system helps organizations achieve the following benefits;

• Products, systems, and processes improvements
• Increased customer service and satisfaction
• A greater competitive advantage
• Transparency in accountability
• Increase market share potential
• New avenues for marketing
• Streamlined efficiency
• Growth Management
• Reduction in mistakes which improve margins
• Greater consistency and time management
• Development of training opportunities

Establishing a Quality Management System

Establishing a Quality Management System is a large undertaking. Written quality procedures which outline, what, who, where, when and how changes need to be implemented will be created. Working with a Quality Management Consultant is a great way to streamline the process. Find ISO Certified and Quality Management Consultants with our Consultant Directory.

One of the key requirements of ISO 9001:2015 is to ensure you have a process based management system. Globally companies are looking for new strategies that can give them a competitive advantage and adopting this approach is one of the most effective ways.

One of the great benefits offered by a process based management system is it can be implemented in a gradual way. It is possible to start with certain processes or projects which serve as a starting point to extend a quality management system to the entire organization gradually.

1. Identify and sequence processes
Firstly, identify all the different types of processes which occur within the organization. These processes may be strategic, operational or support based. Once the processes are identified the impact they have on the organizations needs to be determined so the processes with the most significant impact or organizational value can be prioritized.

The next step is to document the sequence of these processes in order to observe the input and output elements of each process and the interaction between them. The best way to visualize all this information is through a graphical representation, a process map.

2. Describe and document the processes
Describe the different processes by documenting the activities which make up the process, and the key characteristics of the process. By understanding the process clearly its management and future improvement can be facilitated. Process documentation can be presented in a written or graphical way, through flowcharts which outline the existing relationships. Process tabs can also be used where information necessary for the control of the processes is detailed.

3. Establish measures
Establish indicators and controls to determine how affective processes are. Monitor the indicators throughout the process and document the results

4. Improve the processes
Analyses the results achieved along with the process indicators to understand whether the process has in fact achieved its purposes and if it is possible to improve that process.

AS9100 applies to large aerospace suppliers only 

Although only intended to be used by aerospace companies, AS9100 is not meant for only the largest of organizations. Requirements have been determined in a descriptive way, but not by prescriptive means. The standard contains what must be done (requirements), but does not dictate how they must be accomplished by the organization (processes). Therefore, the requirements of AS9100 can be implemented in a way that works best for each individual organization, be they large or small. Using this particular method, the organization is provided with the best possible practices of what the QMS requires to be effective, regardless of the size of the aerospace organization.