In our current globalised economy and complex supply chains, the saying “Quality is never an accident. It is always the result of intelligent effort” is even more important than the day John Ruskin said it. Organisations cannot rely on chance and hope to deliver quality products and services. Instead, they must implement a consistent and planned approach to quality management. With over one million certified organisations worldwide, ISO 9001 remains the world’s best-known standard that provides organisations with a structured approach to quality management and helps them consistently deliver products and services that meet and, where possible, exceed customer requirements.
Quality Management System based on ISO 9001
Initially issued in 1987, ISO 9001 is the first international management system standard that specifies the requirements for the establishment, implementation, operation, maintenance and continuous improvement of an organisation’s quality management system (QMS).
ISO 9001 is based on the seven quality management principles and aims to help organisations increase efficiency and improve customer satisfaction. A common misconception is that ISO 9001 is designed for larger companies and manufacturers. The requirements of ISO 9001 are generic and apply to any organisation regardless of its type, size or the products and services it provides.
A characteristic feature of ISO 9001 QMS is that it puts customers first. “Meeting customer needs and exceeding customer expectations” is embedded in the principles of quality management and is reflected in the requirements of Articles 4 to 10 of the standard. Organisations implementing an ISO 9001 QMS focus on their customers and continuously strive to identify their needs and requirements, obtain feedback, and constantly improve their products and services to meet their needs. This focus on customer satisfaction is one of the critical factors that has enabled ISO 9001 to achieve its prominent position.
Benefits of QMS for the organisation
- Improving the quality of products and services provided
- Enhancing customer acquisition and retention
- Improving the governance of the organisation
- Enhancing international recognition
- Improving employee engagement or morale
Subject of our expert services
1 | Analysis of the existing system and QMS project planning
Analysis of the context of the organisation and gap analysis of the current state • Development of an QMS project plan
2 | Establishment and implementation of the QMS
Identification and description of the boundaries and scope of the QMS • Definition of the organisational structure, roles and responsibilities of individuals and relevant committees • Design of the quality policy • Setting up and documenting QMS processes
3 | Quality risk management and controls management
Selection and documentation of risk management methodology • Identification, analysis and evaluation of risks • Selection of risk treatment options and controls • Management of risk treatment plans
4 | Documentation of topic-specific policies and procedures
QMS documentation structure design and management • Design and documentation of topic-specific policies and procedures for business practices and customer relations, design and development procedures, purchasing and supplier evaluation procedures, product manufacturing, warehousing, release and supply logistics, release and service delivery procedures • Support for the implementation of specific measures • Design and performance of training and awareness-raising activities
5 | Internal audit, supplier audit and certification audit support
Draft and documentation of the QMS internal audit charter • Draft QMS audit programme and planning of audit activities • Implementation of internal audit and supplier audit • Support follow-up activities and actions after the audit •Preparation for and support during the certification audit
Advanced GRC applications
The difficulty of executing QMS processes increases with the size of the organisation and the complexity of the products and services provided. For complex organisations and organisations with a larger portfolio of products and services, we recommend using advanced modular tools.
More information can be found in the Applications section.
Quality of our services
During the provision of consulting services, the standards of quality of consultancy service based on ISO 20700, information security based on ISO / IEC 27001 and project management based on ISO 21502 are applied.
Competences of our consultants:
- Certified ISO 9001 Lead Implementer
When conducting an internal audit (first-party audit) or second-party audit, the best practice of auditing management systems, as defined in ISO 19011 and other relevant standards, is applied.
Competences of our auditors:
- Certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor