Business Plan ISO 9000:2000 - Who are they to say we need a Business Plan?

[Aaron Lupo]

"They are going to fall flat on their faces, who are they to say we need a Busniess Plan, it will never go thru it will be changed before it released!!!!!" That is the President of the company I work for saying this. Our Management Rep. and myself tried to explain that if we want to comply with ISO 9000:2000 they will need one. I tried to break it down simply by saying it would be a good idea just so you can plan the direction of the company, and see where you are going, or where you would like to go. But according to the owners of te company they feel it is pointless. Has anyone else had a negative reaction from owner of the company you work for on this requirement? Let me know what you have run into.

Well, most of my problems have fallen under one of two categories:

[1] It's a great idea .... I'll get to it when I have time (guess when that is).

[2] More commonly: We have a business plan but it doesn't match out is outlined in QS or whatever. And if we feel this is what we need, that is what we need.

It isn't so much having a business plan. It is just that each company wants to do it strickly their way and not have any guidelines handed to them by a "spec writer"

That has been my experience.

[Jim Biz]

We have a Business Plan - A generic form filled out during a meeting -- Ahhh back in 1996 I believe.. I have a record of it somewhere <grin> How "relevant" is it when we decide to change business directions/decisions every 6 months? I'll leave that up to you to decide upon ... But do we have one -SURE

I would think YES they are a good idea IF the management folks that were responsible for them
1) Knew what they were
2) Maintained the intent of the plan
3) Updated as business environment and
planning decisions changed.

All too often this is not the case -- do you suppose the requirement of having a Business plan will make better managers of those who do not already know how to use them??

[This message has been edited by Jim Biz (edited 14 April 2000).]

[Marc]

Are you interested in sharing your form with us?

[Marc]

Originally posted by ISO GUY:

They are going to fall flat on their faces, who are they to say we need a Busniess Plan, it will never go thru it will be changed before it released!!!!!

I first ran into this with a QS-9000 implementation a few years back. I left the office and got on with my work. When the preassessment took place and they wanted to discuss management review the plant manager told the guy to go bite an egg in so many words. The auditor said no problem and finished the audit. During the final review the auditor announced the findings, including the management review 'problem'.

The bottom line is I didn't fight with the plant manager - I simply told him at the time we spoke (6 months before the preassessment) that this was not an option.) I let the 'big gun' (auditor) do the convincing.

That said, I saw that in QS-9000. Where (what paragraph) do you see the requirement for a business plan in ISO9001:2000??

My Senior Management was skeptical for a long time but knew that they would be "forced" to do it for QS.

They, surprisingly, found it to be a worthwhile and effective experience and is now a regular part of their meetings. Remember, the content of the Business Plan is not subject to audit... (which strikes me as odd)... it is just a requirement that the process is undertaken and that relevant parts are communicated to the Company. (Documented Evidence!)

[barb butrym]

Like so many requirements ....the activity of going through creating the business plan and reacting to it is where the value is...not in an outsider judging it. Make conscious decisions...

[Aaron Lupo]

The bottom line is I didn't fight with the plant manager - I simply told him at the time we spoke (6 months before the preassessment) that this was not an option.) I let the 'big gun' (auditor) do the convincing.

I don't plan on fighiting with anyone on this. To tell you the truth at this point I really don't care. Upper Management doesn't support ISO, and on top of that I think our Resistrar really stinks!!!!! They did nothing when they werhere last. There was two of them here for 2 1/2 days and they never split up, as far as I am concerned they just went thru the montions. Our system is not going to get better if they just gloss over the system during the audits. I have gone as far as telling or customers that audit us what our problems are and beg them to write it in the report they send to us. I feel that is the only way at this point to get Management to listen. If the customer tells us to do it I can almost be sure we will. I suppose I could suggest switching registrars but the owners of the company would never ok it. They don't give a darn as long as we maintain our certification.

I guess some times you win and some times you lose, and this looks like a no win situation!