What is an ISO 9001 certification? Most individuals believe that its an exercise in putting together documents for an auditor to see so that a certification will be given. This is not true. Those of us who have worked with ISO for several years remember earlier versions of the ISO standard which needed excessive documents with not much focus on real results. Lots of business owners and managers considered this merely a basic overhead expense to the business with no measurable advantage. - ISO 9001 training
The good news is that the focus on the revised ISO standard is more on the improvement of business processes and not on putting together documents for an auditor. Due to these changes, customers, top management, shareholders and employees of certified businesses see the positive outcome of their achievements. This new "Process Approach" is a sensible way to align improvement efforts throughout the business with real customer and business requirements.
Ever since the year 2000, we have helped a lot of companies attain ISO 9001 certification every year. To achieve great outcome from the investment, there are three basic rules implemented by our consultants:
For businesses that implement ISO for the initial time, it is a mistake to make it too complicated. As an outcome, there are records, procedures and job training that are really not necessary. Because those who implement the system do not really know what auditors look for, they take the "better safe than sorry" approach. Other than not adding to the value of the business, this will also increase the current ISO certification expense.
Instead, a conscious effort must be made to keep the number of documents to a minimum and concentrate on implementing those specially required by the business or needed by the standard.
Staying focused on improving the procedures of the company is the second guideline because this can also improve performance for both the business and the client. Make certain that you implement everything to support the company's operations and the requirements of the customers. Due to the general language in the ISO standard, companies could specifically modify their QMS to meet their unique needs while still complying with the intention of the certification.
Your business must benefit from the results of working with a particular requirement which is aligned with your management approach.
The third guideline is based on an understanding that the worst reason to implement something is just to show it to an auditor. If an ISO requirement is being talked about during your implementation and a comment is made like "I have no idea why we are implementing this but we have to do it to satisfy the auditor", then return to rules one and two above. Though you surely need to develop a system which meets the ISO requirements, every requirement is flexible to be implemented in a way to suit your business - and to add measurable value to it. Be certain to review your ISO procedures and documentation with an eye on keeping it simple and adding business value. The auditor would surely be pleased if you do so. - ISO 9001 training
