My Company wants to Implement ISO 9001-2000 and become Certified - The Big Start

[Stijloor]

Thanks to everyone for your advice - it's greatly appreciated! I want to wish all a happy and safe holiday!

Thank you Andy!

Do you want to keep us posted on your progress? Some of us Covers are always curious how the folks do that came here for ideas.

And please, do come back with more questions and possible suggestions for others.

Happy Holidays!

Stijloor.

 

[David DeLong]

Dave,

Thanks for your advice. You mentioned a couple of attachments. I was wondering if I could get those from you? This is such a major task and our company needs some major improvements. Again, I really appreciate the help.

Yes, I tried to attach an index page and here goes again. I will check it out prior to posting it.

 

[Andy CDA]

I will definately keep you posted on my progress and I'll try not to be too much of a pain in the neck - no promises there though

 

[David DeLong]

Dave,

Thanks for your advice. You mentioned a couple of attachments. I was wondering if I could get those from you? This is such a major task and our company needs some major improvements. Again, I really appreciate the help.

I hope that I can attach an index page of an ISO company that I worked with in the Toronto area.

I do agree that you should get some consulting assistance. You could be spinning your wheels and getting no where or on the wrong track entirely. A good consultant should be able to keep you on track.

 

[BradM]

Andy,

Before you start with documentation etc. you should do the following:

• Have the Managers clearly define why they want to become certified/registered to ISO 9001. That will hopefully lead to some common understanding and alignment within the management team.
• Conduct training. Explain what a good quality management system consist of and what the requirements are.
• Perform a gap analysis. Compare the current state of affairs with the requirements. You may be closer/better than you may think.
• Identify the key processes in your organization and its owners. List inputs, transitional activities and outputs. Determine objectives and measurements.
• Determine the information required and necessary to support these processes so that anyone can work safe, effective and efficient.

• Start the documentation process (Process owners)
• Implement.
• Audit
• Correct
• Improve
• Etc.

Now, notice how I took Stijloor's post and split it? Because many times, the first section is so often ignored, and many just jump into the second part. But the first section is so vitally important. If you spend much time here at the Cove, you will read about people struggling to get ready for the next audit; or goofy quality policies; no management support, etc. IMHO, that's because the first section was skipped.

MAIN POINT: It is so essential that upper management understands they will need to spend time on the QMS. The QMS needs to support/facilitate management's goals/strategy for the organization. Otherwise, the system will become a lost boat; floating around in the water, making circles, with nowhere to go.

Also, as Stijloor, Helmut, and the others stated, proper planning and good consulting will pay off at the beginning. Making sure you start this initiative out correctly will save so much time, money, and heartache later on.

 

[vanputten]

First get a very clear understanding of where top managmenet wants to be in the future. What is the aim, or goal, or future state that is desired.

My suggestion above could be re-wroded as follows: Have the Managers clearly define why they want to become certified/registered to ISO 9001. That will hopefully lead to some common understanding and alignment within the management team.

Read all of ISO 9000, and 90001 and 9004. Read them mnay times to understand the text.

Starting with things like documenting processes is an ineffective approach. Understand the target before you shoot the arrow.

 

[vanputten]

Hello Andy:

ISO published a document called N613 Selection and Use Brochure. Document N613 was issued in November 2000 as a means to guide users on the selection of standards in the ISO quality management standards portfolio.

N613 is currently being reviewed. The following text is from N613R1 (rev. 1)which is under review....

The implementation process is important in achieving the full benefits of the quality management system. Most new users will obtain measurable payback early in the process.

For a successful implementation of your QMS these 7 steps are recommended:
1. Fully engage top management to:
- Define why you want to implement ISO 9001
- Define your mission, vision, and values
- Define your business’s stakeholders: customers, suppliers, stockholders, employees, society, etc.
- Define and align business objectives and related product/service quality objectives
2. Identify key processes and the interactions needed to meet defined business and quality objectives
3. Implement and manage the QMS and its processes (using process management techniques)
4. Build your ISO 9001-based QMS
- Identify ISO 9001 requirements
- Map these requirements with your implemented QMS, where applicable
- Make a gap analysis: Identify where in your existing system the requirements are fulfilled, and where they are not
- Include in your QMS processes the activities, procedures and controls needed
5. Implement the system, train company staff and verify effective operation of your processes
6. Manage your QMS
- Focus on customer satisfaction
- Monitor and measure the operation of your QMS
- Strive for continual improvement
- Consider implementing business excellence models in the company operations
7. If necessary, seek third party certification/registration of the QMS or alternatively, issue a self-declaration of conformity.

The N613 document also has a listing of all of the ISO 9000 family of standards. One document is ISO 10019:2005 Guidelines for the selection of quality management system consultants and use of their services. ISO 10019 may help you with part of your question related to consultants.

Unfortunaley, I cannot find a copy of this public document (N613.) I cannot find it on the ISO website. There is a link to the document on the following important website but the link does not appear to work.

http://isotc.iso.org/livelink/livel...c=ll&objId=1069636&objAction=browse&sort=name