ISO 9001 Implementation and Certification - 6 Years of Advice

[Limmeng]

Re: ISO 9001 Implementation and Certification - Some advice

Welcome to the cove.

I am also new here. But through my experience, it was not really difficult to get certification.

Just make ssure your Quality Manual addresses all the ISO 9001 requirements, justify alll the exclusions.

Prepare the six mandatory procedures first. Add in what are really important in your system. Do not over document, and never create anything just to please external auditor.

Use all the forms related to the proceures.

There may be NCRs issued, but it is common as no matter how prepared you are, the auditor still wants to say sometning about your system.

 

[NINO777]

Re: ISO 9001 Implementation and Certification - Some advice

Hello.I'm Nini .I have to manage a new QMS in a design company from Ploiesti, Romania. QMS is certified one week ago, and I need to start some general advices how to maintain and improve QMS. Organization has 60 employees and I am alone in quality department.
Thank you in advance.

 

[NewQM]

Re: time

What is usually the time line for cert (start to finish)
Thanks mike

I have routinely gotten labs and inspection companies from nothing to ISO 9001:2008 certification with no finding 45-60 days.


All it takes is commitment from the top.

That being said, these companies ranged from 5-10 people, it gets more difficult the more you have. you need more meat if you know what i mean.

Also, in my experience in Houston, the longest part is waiting for the auditor to become available.

 

[AndyN]

Re: time

I have routinely gotten labs and inspection companies from nothing to ISO 9001:2008 certification with no finding 45-60 days.


All it takes is commitment from the top.

That being said, these companies ranged from 5-10 people, it gets more difficult the more you have. you need more meat if you know what i mean.

Also, in my experience in Houston, the longest part is waiting for the auditor to become available.

Er, really? What about the time it takes to develop evidence of an effective system, where there was none before! Often there's more to getting a system in place than 'commitment'...and sometimes it's just plain 'grunt' work. How much did you have to 'hold hands' during the audit?

I'd suggest caution to anyone who reads this and thinks this is 'routine'......

BTW - finding an auditor in Houston depends on which CB you choose, what standard you're seeking to be audited to and how much you're prepared to pay for travel etc.......All have to be factored in when considering 'how long it takes'.....

 

[NewQM]

Re: time

Er, really? What about the time it takes to develop evidence of an effective system, where there was none before! Often there's more to getting a system in place than 'commitment'...and sometimes it's just plain 'grunt' work. How much did you have to 'hold hands' during the audit?

I'd suggest caution to anyone who reads this and thinks this is 'routine'......

BTW - finding an auditor in Houston depends on which CB you choose, what standard you're seeking to be audited to and how much you're prepared to pay for travel etc.......All have to be factored in when considering 'how long it takes'.....

I didn't mean to imply that it was easy or head-ache free in any way. I didn't have too much objective evidence for implementation, but on an initial, sometimes that is okay. Especially if you are writing "what they do" already.

And, yes, there is a substantial amount of hand-holding.

It should be noted that these ISO systems that are certified, are most-likely not followed, or even looked at other than once a year.

To do it correctly, with full implementation and lots of evidence/records/etc.

Of course that takes more than 2 months.

I was just saying i have done it.

 

[AndyN]

Re: time

I didn't mean to imply that it was easy or head-ache free in any way. I didn't have too much objective evidence for implementation, but on an initial, sometimes that is okay. Especially if you are writing "what they do" already.

And, yes, there is a substantial amount of hand-holding.

It should be noted that these ISO systems that are certified, are most-likely not followed, or even looked at other than once a year.

To do it correctly, with full implementation and lots of evidence/records/etc.

Of course that takes more than 2 months.

I was just saying i have done it.

And this is at the very heart of why so many people see little to no benefit to implementation of ISO 9001............IMHO, you are (unwittingly, perhaps) fueling the fire that ISO 9001 is for making "concrete life preservers"......

 

[NewQM]

Re: time

And this is at the very heart of why so many people see little to no benefit to implementation of ISO 9001............IMHO, you are (unwittingly, perhaps) fueling the fire that ISO 9001 is for making "concrete life preservers"......

We must all learn from our mistakes.

I do things differently now.

 

[AndyN]

Re: time

We must all learn from our mistakes.

I do things differently now.

Good for you and for saying that openly, here!

In these kinds of forums, often people are looking for the silver bullet, without the learning you described. Those of us who have to live with the legacy of such rapid implementations - to get a certificate - are cautious and try to do what's necessary to mitigate the impact - just as we do for our kids.....

 

[blueicecube]

Re: ISO 9001 Implementation and Certification - Some advice

Dear Fellow Cove,

I was wondering what do you think about having 2 separate ISO 9001 certificate for 1 company, 1 for the manufacturing side and 1 for the 'other side'.

What factors should I look into to weight out the most feasible option?

Highly appreciate your reply & any link of reference would highly be appreciated.

 

[harry]

Re: ISO 9001 Implementation and Certification - Some advice

The most practical, effective and feasible (people+money) way is one certificate. You'll lose something at the interface every time you carved out a part of the organization for a separate certificate - thus making it less effective.