Quality Management Systems

The major reasons companies register for ISO 9001 – and use an experienced ISO 9001 consultancy – are:-

Few Companies Realise The Other Benefits to The Company.
The Tangible Benefits are Summarised Below:-

The benefits report compiled by Manchester Business School included:

Better management control Improving awareness of procedural problems Using the standard as a promotional tool Improving customer service Eliminating procedural problems

78% 77% 73% 70% 70%

Improving efficiency Retaining existing customers Increasing customer satisfaction Aiding induction Improving market share

69% 67% 67% 54% 47%

Another survey of “Captains of Industry” by MORI gave very similar results

Improved management control Improved customer satisfaction A motivated workforce Increased opportunity to win work Increased productivity/efficiency

82% 82% 62% 73% 83%

Reduced wastage More effective marketing Reduced costs Increased market share Increased exports

60% 52% 50% 49% 24%

The steps to ISO9001 Accreditation
Each company has its own individual processes and methods, which must be reflected in the Control Documents and the Manuals, so each system is unique to the customer and has to be individually created to reflect how you work and comply with the ISO 9001 Standards.

A guide to just a few of the basic steps involved.
Document Control:
All control documents and folders need to be identified and issue status maintained.You will need a Quality Manual, Control Documents, a Document Register and a Quality Policy.The procedures Manual will must relate to what you do and how you do it.The Quality policy states the scope of accreditation and what your objectives and targets are.

Ordering Processes.
There needs to be a distinct ordering process and records of products, programs or services ordered.

Training:
There must be personnel training records maintained on your staff and a skill matrix created.There needs to be a process for training planning either in-house or off-site.
Company Vehicles:
Any company vehicles need to have inspection records kept and regular maintenance schedules.

Customer Focus:
There needs to be an agreed way of dealing with customers and verifying their requirements.You need to be able to record customer satisfaction feedback and how you deal with complaints etc.

Management Commitment:
There needs to be adequate resources to run the business/services being offered and the desire and leadership to drive the improvements from the top.To carry out regular Management Reviews of the companies and system performance.

Process Management:
There needs to be a defined process for dealing with what you do and how you do it.

Records:
You need to define what records you keep and how you protect them and how long they need to be retain for.

Data:
Under the data protection act you must ensure private information is protected, stored and disposed of in a secure manner.

Analysis and Monitoring:
You will need to install a method of analyzing your results to assess whether you are improving or not.
You will need to carry out internal audits to ensure the system is being maintained and identify any opportunities for improvement.

Non-conformances:
These can be within the company or with suppliers and clients, these need to be recorded and analysed, so action can be taken to resolve the situation, a corrective and preventive action plan needs to be

Corrective & Preventive actions:
You need to log complaints or failures in the processes to identify the root cause and take action to remedy the situation. You need to be seen to be taking and recording corrective actions to stop the problem being repeated in the future.