New Service Company wants ISO 9001 Certification - 20 People in company

[harry]

That is a fair criticism, and is the inherent limitation of this kind of forum. But, if you review his various posts, it was pretty clear that he (?) did not express confidence in their system, and their skill level. And the other comments suggest the consultant helped them pass an audit, and did not help them put in a solid, value added system. That is unfortunate. The goal should not be a degree, it should be an education.

That is the number one complaint about ISO. But, it's interesting, I don't hear that complaint from people who really put in the effort to create solid systems. If you do the work to put in a solid system, you deserve and will get results. If you window dress it, you don't get much but a framed certificate. Please don't post here a year later about how "ISO doesn't do anything," unless you did the work and put in a real system.


In fact, I am curious.

IS there anyone whose company put in a real system, where top management and all the levels did the real work, but you have not reaped the benefits? I am writing a paper, and would be thrilled to hear from you, if there is anyone like that out there?

Thanks,

Hjilling

Believe, I don't throw stones. I am in this business to help clients, whether I am auditing or consulting.

This response may sound 'curt' but is from the bottom of 'one's' heart. I hope the OP doesn't mind and can take it because one of the advantages of participation in an international forum is that you learn what others elsewhere practise, see and feel about particular topics. That's one way to leapfrog other quality practitioners in your own area.

 

[CoKoOPERATOR]

Well Hjilling,
Your thoughts are correct and by your experience, expressed through your posts ,I learn .
But remember that most new companies in the services sector, face many many problems. Especially in co-operation and synchronisation of people and departments.
The first 3-year period is critical for the manager's abilities ,the market share of the company and it's reputation.
That is why our system is not yet as solid as it should be.
It will get better. Through my efforts and by the manager's commitment.

 

[JaneB]

The goal should not be a degree, it should be an education.

Absolutely correct.

I don't hear that complaint from people who really put in the effort to create solid systems. If you do the work to put in a solid system, you deserve and will get results. If you window dress it, you don't get much but a framed certificate. Please don't post here a year later about how "ISO doesn't do anything," unless you did the work and put in a real system.

Yes, absolutely.

Is there anyone whose company put in a real system, where top management and all the levels did the real work, but you have not reaped the benefits?

None that I've ever seen, heard, or come across. Provided they did the real work, not just a bit of window dressing. Au contraire, once they realised what it really was, they have pretty much become raving fans, because they discovered how useful it could be when applied well. We have the expression in English of it being 'a poor workman who blames his tools'... pity we don't have a comparative one for those who blame a Standard for their own shortfalls and omissions and failures.

Because I've certainly met plenty of people ready and willing to throw stones, and blame 'ISO' for failing them/not being the panacea to all their problems, while simultaneously closing their eyes and ears to anything resembling having to try and understand what it actually requires (as opposed to what they've heard, been told, or just assumed).

Which makes me somewhat prone to grinding my teeth. And that's on a good day

 

[fuzzy]

Absolutely correct.



Yes, absolutely.



None that I've ever seen, heard, or come across. Provided they did the real work, not just a bit of window dressing. Au contraire, once they realised what it really was, they have pretty much become raving fans, because they discovered how useful it could be when applied well. We have the expression in English of it being 'a poor workman who blames his tools'... pity we don't have a comparative one for those who blame a Standard for their own shortfalls and omissions and failures.

Because I've certainly met plenty of people ready and willing to throw stones, and blame 'ISO' for failing them/not being the panacea to all their problems, while simultaneously closing their eyes and ears to anything resembling having to try and understand what it actually requires (as opposed to what they've heard, been told, or just assumed).

Which makes me somewhat prone to grinding my teeth. And that's on a good day

Bingo...heard today (third-party) that the head of "Legal" for my client didn't "get" my ISO 9001 overview presentation yesterday...was she able to parse a question during the "Any ?" slide or the fifteen seconds that I paused afterwards (Dr. Charlie's training - thank you) - naw of course not...

 

[shmaud]

Re: New company - Wants ISO 9001 !

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[AndyN]

Re: New company - Wants ISO 9001 !

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Welcome to the Cove.

What information are you looking for? This thread is a few years old now, so are you looking for specific info on a small company and registration?

 

[shmaud]

Thanks for your response. We are a government contractor offering services. Our headquarters has under 10 employees....my boss wants me to concentrate on our Business Development process, which would make us our own customer. Is this something that we can do, or does your customer need to be outside of your own company?

 

[AndyN]

Thanks for your response. We are a government contractor offering services. Our headquarters has under 10 employees....my boss wants me to concentrate on our Business Development process, which would make us our own customer. Is this something that we can do, or does your customer need to be outside of your own company?

Typically, ISO 9001 compliance is for those organizations who are looking outwardly in terms of product/service 'quality' and client satisfaction. That isn't to say that the ISO 9001 requirements - in whole or in part - can't be applied to your particular process - that of business development. There are many aspects of ISO 9001 which can be applied very successfully to help an organization get better defined and controlled processes.

It (probably) wouldn't be a benefit to go the 'whole hog' and become registered, though.

 

[shmaud]

Re: New company - Wants ISO 9001 !

That's what I'm thinking which is why I am suggesting we "go the whole hog"....then our customers become the reviewers of the proposals we write, and let us know if we are compliant or not, regardless of if we win or lose the business. Does that make sense?

 

[AndyN]

Re: New company - Wants ISO 9001 !

That's what I'm thinking which is why I am suggesting we "go the whole hog"....then our customers become the reviewers of the proposals we write, and let us know if we are compliant or not, regardless of if we win or lose the business. Does that make sense?

I'm not sure I understand. If you apply ISO 9001 to your organization it would entail involving all of the people and the processes of your organization. You'd indicated just the business development process is your focus, which - even if you matrix a few other ISO 9001 requirements which impact them - doesn't ultimately add as much in terms of a total system.

By going the 'whole hog' I was thinking all the way to 3rd party Certification.