How do I find a reputable consultant to review our QMS?

Good Morning Covers,

I'm the process of trying to find a consultant to review our QMS.
Our documentation is 99% released and we've started training our employees. We just want to be sure our QMS is sufficient before we involve a registrar. Google and Bing have yielded less than stellar results finding someone in the Connecticut/Southern New England area.
How do I go about finding a reputable consultant?
Any help would be greatly appreciated for this newbie.

Re: How do I find a reputable consultant?

You might want to check with your local ASQ chapter and see if they have some recommendations, or offer a similar service. For example, our local ASQ chapter has an Audit Resource Network which will work with you to develop an audit plan suited to your organizations needs. Some companies use this to prepare for the certification and identify any issues in the QMS, others may choose to use this service to supplement their internal audit program.

Not exactly a consultant per say, however it is an alternative to help you asses if your QMS is sufficent prior to involving a registrar.

~Brunetta

Re: How do I find a reputable consultant?

AshleyE said:

Good Morning Covers,

I'm the process of trying to find a consultant to review our QMS. <snip>

Click to expand...

This is a great idea! There are a number of ways to track down locally based consultants. Some of our Covers are consultants, so they may have local connections.

Re: How do I find a reputable consultant?

Stay away from the instant experts who have only passed some type of training course and have nothing to offer beyond that.

Start with this list from the RABQSA.........

Ahearn, Michael C.
24 Locke Drive
Enfield CT United States of America
Phone: 860-749-0162
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AUDITOR
Certification: 111130
Date Certified: 19-FEB-10
Expiration: 19-FEB-11
Available for hire: Y


AHMED, MAHMUD
744 NEW BRITAIN AVENUE
FARMINGTON CT 06032 United States of America
Phone: 860-677-2988
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LEAD AUDITOR
Certification: 8807
Date Certified: 17-JAN-03
Expiration: 17-JAN-11
Available for hire: Y

BEAUPRE, GALEN K.
64 Hammond Street
Vernon CT 06066 United States of America
Phone: 860-272-9088
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LEAD AUDITOR
Certification: 3144
Date Certified: 21-JUL-94
Expiration: 21-JUL-10
Available for hire: Y

BENDER, DONALD R.
4 CARMEL RIDGE
TRUMBULL CT 06611-2072 United States of America
Phone: 203-268-8954
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AUDITOR
Certification: 4477
Date Certified: 06-JUL-95
Expiration: 06-JUL-10

BIALECKI, ROBERT M
144 ALMA DRIVE
FAIRFIELD CT 06824-2922 United States of America
Phone: 203-255-4156
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AUDITOR
Certification: 9148
Date Certified: 08-SEP-03
Expiration: 08-NOV-10

BRUCKER, GENE A.
2 CHATSWORTH ROAD
GRANBY CT 06035 United States of America
Phone: 860-653-3627
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LEAD AUDITOR
Certification: 4749
Date Certified: 12-APR-95
Expiration: 12-APR-11

CALABRESE, JOSEPH JAMES
32 FAIRVIEW ST.
OAKVILLE CT 06779 United States of America
Phone: 860-274-0169
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ASSOCIATE AUDITOR
Certification: 103727
Date Certified: 26-AUG-05
Expiration: 26-AUG-10

COSTELLO, DONALD M.
66 OLD LANTERN ROAD
DANBURY CT 06810 United States of America
Phone: 203-792-1421
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ASSOCIATE AUDITOR Certification: 5183
Date Certified: 06-OCT-95
Expiration: 06-OCT-10

DECARLO, JOSEPH N.
77 WALNUT HILL ROAD
BETHEL CT 06801 United States of America
Phone: 203-798-1497
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LEAD AUDITOR
Certification: 1613
Date Certified: 23-JUL-92
Expiration: 23-JUL-10

DOOLEY, GEORGE D.
12 OAKWOOD ROAD
SIMSBURY CT 06070 United States of America
Phone: 860-651-0218
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LEAD AUDITOR
Certification: 3664
Date Certified: 28-OCT-94
Expiration: 28-OCT-10

DUSSAN, DIEGO
11 MANSION STREET
NEW HAVEN CT 06512 United States of America
Phone: 202-823-9655
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LEAD AUDITOR
Certification: 110958
Date Certified: 25-JUN-09
Expiration: 25-JUN-10

Fadziewicz, Diane
294 Stanwood Drive
New Britain CT 06053 United States of America
Phone: 860-229-2565
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AUDITOR
Certification: 82256
Date Certified: 08-APR-05
Expiration: 08-APR-10

FLYNN, JOHN E.
139 ISINGLASS HILL RD
PORTLAND CT 06480 United States of America
Phone: 860-342-1457
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AUDITOR
Certification: 9450
Date Certified: 03-SEP-04
Expiration: 22-APR-10

GARRETT, HENRY F.M.
56 DAY STREET SOUTH
WEST GRANBY CT 06090 United States of America
Phone: 860-653-8299
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ASSOCIATE AUDITOR
Certification: 5035
Date Certified: 08-MAY-09
Expiration: 08-MAY-10

HALL, HENRY D.
4 A TALCOTT GLEN
FARMINGTON CT 06032 United States of America
Phone: 860-255-7418
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AUDITOR
Certification: 4827
Date Certified: 23-DEC-94
Expiration: 08-NOV-10

MERCIER, MICHAEL E.
344 SOUTH CANTERBURY ROAD
CANTERBURY CT 06331 United States of America
Phone: 860-546-9779
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LEAD AUDITOR
Certification: 1884
Date Certified: 26-APR-93
Expiration: 26-APR-10

MESLER, CRAIG R.
POST OFFICE BOX 325
WESTBROOK CT 06498 United States of America
Phone: 860-442-9393
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LEAD AUDITOR
Certification: 9406
Date Certified: 16-JUL-04
Expiration: 05-APR-11

MILLEA, MARTIN J.
90 ALPS ROAD
BRANFORD CT 06405 United States of America
Phone: 203-376-6801
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LEAD AUDITOR
Certification: 8073
Date Certified: 08-SEP-00
Expiration: 30-OCT-10

OBOLEWICZ, STEVEN
5 FOX HOLLOW LANE
SANDY HOOK CT 06482 United States of America
Phone: 203-426-9246
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LEAD AUDITOR
Certification: 1813
Date Certified: 13-SEP-93
Expiration: 13-SEP-10

PARSONS, EDWARD D.
20C NANEL DRIVE
GLASTONBURY CT 06033 United States of America
Phone: 603-769-7245
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LEAD AUDITOR
Certification: 9485
Date Certified: 10-SEP-04
Expiration: 10-SEP-10

POWELL, GARY L.
32 EDGEWOOD DRIVE
WALLINGFORD CT 06492 United States of America
Phone: 203-265-1771
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LEAD AUDITOR
Certification: 7224
Date Certified: 04-DEC-98
Expiration: 23-APR-10

Puckowski, Greg
62 Windham Drive
Southington CT 06489 United States of America
Phone: 860-621-7559
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LEAD AUDITOR
Certification: 109916
Date Certified: 02-FEB-09
Expiration: 11-FEB-11

RAMPONE, ELAINE P.
PO Box 1007
BRANFORD CT 06405 United States of America
Phone: 203-315-5174
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ASSOCIATE AUDITOR
Certification: 6691
Date Certified: 08-JAN-98
Expiration: 08-JAN-11

Sanabria, David
27 East Maple St
Plainville CT 06062 United States of America
Phone: 860-793-1203
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LEAD AUDITOR
Certification: 110738
Date Certified: 12-MAY-09
Expiration: 12-MAY-10
Language(s) : ENGLISH, SPANISH
Fluency: Written (F) Speaking (F) Reading (F)

SHRIKHANDE, VINAY V.
8 PEPPERMINT RIDGE
OLD LYME CT 06371 United States of America
Phone: 860-434-8249
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LEAD AUDITOR
Certification: 5661
Date Certified: 14-JUN-96
Expiration: 15-JUL-10

Summa, Raymond R.
15 Timber Hill Rd.
Prospect CT 06712 United States of America
Phone: 203-758-5245
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LEAD AUDITOR
Certification: 110795
Date Certified: 08-MAY-09
Expiration: 08-MAY-11

TODHUNTER, MICHAEL G.
362 SOUTH STREET #1L
BRISTOL CT 06010 United States of America
Phone: 513-677-5362
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AUDITOR
Certification: 4401
Date Certified: 20-FEB-95
Expiration: 20-FEB-11

WEISS, CHARLES G.
386 GULF STREET
MILFORD CT 06460 United States of America
Phone: 203-877-4558
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LEAD AUDITOR
Certification: 1966
Date Certified: 21-FEB-94
Expiration: 27-JUN-10

Wiedemann, Kimberly A.
11 Jefferson St
Enfield CT 06082 United States of America
Phone: 860-749-6612
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS PRINCIPAL AUDITOR
Certification: 111098
Date Certified: 09-JUL-09
Expiration: 09-JUL-10

ZACHARIEWICZ , ROBERT J.
400 Main Street
EAST HARTFORD CT 06108 United States of America
Phone: 860-565-0686
Grade: QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS LEAD AUDITOR
Certification: 110614
Date Certified: 18-JAN-10
Expiration: 18-JAN-11

Randy's got the right idea.

You could also check with your registrar, they often work with a variety of consultants.

Which certification are you pursuing; ISO, AS, or something else?

Our auditor suggested we find a quality manager at another company we like and trust and share internal auditing duties. We audit them, they audit us! Great idea if you have any connections!

As stated, some of our members are consultants, so if you've read their posts and have some comfort level, you could contact them to see if they are available. Talk to others, either in your area, or in your industry to see if there is someone they have used and recommend. Or any of the other suggestions already shared.

All very good suggestions.

Plus I also suggest give some thought to what you want the consultant to do.
1. Draw up a short brief for the consultant.
2. Get something in writing from them, so you are both quite clear on the scope, timing, deliverables and cost.

Stay away from self-proclaimed experts with nil to back it up! Although it's focused more on certification projects, you might find this article of mine on questions to ask a quality consultant of some use.

Re: How do I find a reputable consultant?

Randy said:

DECARLO, JOSEPH N. <snip>

Click to expand...

I'd love to come out and help, but I'm not quite in your neighborhood.

Looking at the list Randy posted, I immediately recognized Joe DeCarlo. I've worked with him several times, and I highly recommend him.

Thank you all for your help! Your answers have given me a great starting point, hopefully a few others found this helpful also.

The Cove has been and continues to be an excellent resource!