I am new to ISO9001 and our company is just beginning the ISO9001 certification process. I am sure quite a few members of this forum started in my shoes at some point and I was wondering what advice you may have. At this point I am seeking out resources (a few books) and learning about the general approach to becoming ISO certified. Any advice is much appreciated.

Hi rharold and Welcome to the Cove,

This is a great place to learn, lot of good info here. We are really good at answering specific questions, but terrible at responding to "I need procedures to comply with ISO."

A good book to start with might be ISO9000:2000 Explained. It is avaiable from ASQ in Milwaukee.

rharold,

Welcome!

There is a good chance that specific questions you have are already answered here. Just use the search function and see what comes up.

Hi there and welcome!
My best advice is to read... read, read, read, and read some more! Reading the standard, you may get stuck on a particular requirement. Search this website for the key words and see where it takes you.

This website has provided me with a wealth of information!

Above your head is a pair of black and yellow handles....pull them...quickly.

But seriously, read the standard and probably take a class or two about the standard. Then review the procedures or processes your company already has in place. Chances are there are some things that people are already doing. Try to incorporate those into your ISO program.

And remember the first rule of any system: Keep it simple.

After you are familiar with the standard, then perform a gap analysis to see what, and where you need to implement, and what you already have that complies. Another option is call in a trusted consultant to not only train you, but review your system and perform a gap analysis.

Above your head is a pair of black and yellow handles....pull them...quickly.

But seriously, read the standard and probably take a class or two about the standard. Then review the procedures or processes your company already has in place. Chances are there are some things that people are already doing. Try to incorporate those into your ISO program.

And remember the first rule of any system: Keep it simple.

Yeah, what they said. Read that standard over and over, then go take an implementation class unless you have a mentor stashed in a nearby company. But, even then, you would benefit from (at a minimum) an implementation class - then start working on implementation, then an internal auditing class before you finish implementation.

There are a few steps I like to recommend for standards based management implementation.

1. Purchase a copy of the standard itself. This becomes a controlled document in the management system and it is required that you have this document. I highly recommend purchasing ISO 9000:2005 and ISO 9001:2000 at a minimum, the ISO 9000:2005 document is basics and DEFINITIONS, which can be very useful in discriminating the requirements of ISO 9001:2000.

2. Draft a working copy of a process map, which shows interactions and sequence of your system processes. Guidance on this is available online through www.iso.ch, and this website's forum threads, for example.

3. Obtain several quotes for registration audit services from registrars. I recommend Orion Registrars, www.orion4value.com, with no affiliation. Getting this quote will give you an idea of the cost of an audit and information on the registration process.

4. Purchase a good book on ISO 9001:2000, such as David Hoyle's ISO 9000 Quality Systems Handbook. 4th edition is based on manufacturing businesses, 5th edition is more service oriented. This is a great book that goes into detail on each requirement of ISO 9001:2000, explaining what the requirement means, why is it necessary, and how it is implemented.

ISO 9001:2000 outlines an international standard of formalized, documented management that is process managed for continual improvement. Drafting early a process description or map will aid you immeasureably on the implementation of the system, and maximize its benefits.

Some questions are commonly asked by consultants and auditors about your company. What is the size of your organization? What are the products, and what processes do you perform?

Thanks for the warm welcome and initial advice! I have done some reading but sounds as if I have plenty more to do.

I'm a bit late here, but let me add my welcome too :bigwave:I have done some reading but sounds as if I have plenty more to do.We all do. Beginners and old hands alike. It never ends... the trick is to enjoy the journey.

Good advice given in the above posts. :applause:

/Claes

Welcome to the Cove!!!

I started my ISO implementation journey here over a year ago and the cove was a vaulable resource in implementing my organization's ISO 9001:2000 system. We were certified in Feb '06 with only 1 minor finding. The cove is very helpful in answering specific questions in implementation and you can get some examples of documents that may place you on the right track but remember your documents should reflect your current processes "Do what you say and say what you do".


Also here's some points to consider:

a) Do a gap analysis on where you are currently.

b) Ensure you have management's support or you implementation will be long and hard fought.

c) Ensure you map your processes this will help greatly.

Best of luck,


Al.

Welcome too, rharold, from sunny Michigan!:D

Well, this is all great advice. For my part, your management team really needs to understand their role here. Not simply that 'you' are going to get them registered, but that they have two jobs;

To direct, support and implement the 'new way', and,
The maintenance of the QMS, once compliant.

I suggest not only reading the standard (who knows what it means, it's full of weasel words......:lmao: ) but the guidance of 9004, too. Similarly, there's a number of specific 'support packages' available from ISO TC 176 - who wrote the 9000 series (as you probably know).:yes: :read:

I'd suggest that you make this implementation center on some vital business issue. Is your company doing well? Do all your management team sleep well at night, or do they worry about performance, customer or regulatory issues? If they do, then there's something in ISO 9001 to help them. That way, you don't just get a certificate, you get some results they can benefit from.:yes:

Also, brush up on your project management skills. It's going to take some 'drive' to get folks to do what they're required to do, once you know the 'scope' of the project..........:whip:

Hope this helps

Andy