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In today's business world, companies must operate with a high level of quality management to stay competitive. One way to achieve this is by implementing a certified ISO 9001 quality management system. ISO 9001 is an international standard that sets out the requirements for a quality management system. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of implementing a certified ISO 9001 quality management system.

Improved Quality of Products and Services

The primary goal of ISO 9001 is to ensure consistent quality of products and services. By implementing a certified quality management system, companies can identify and address quality issues early on in the process, resulting in fewer defects and improved customer satisfaction.

Increased Efficiency and Productivity

Implementing an ISO 9001 quality management system requires companies to examine their processes and procedures. By doing so, they can identify inefficiencies and implement improvements to increase productivity and efficiency. This can lead to cost savings and improved profitability.
Read more: Benefits of a Certified ISO 9001 QMS

When should our company perform an ISO 9001 Gap Analysis?

A Gap Analysis for ISO 9001 Certification is highly recommended to help identify areas to improve the Quality Management System.  The organization should conduct the Analysis before planning and implementing the QMS.  Then, going forward, a GAP Analysis can be used as a "check up" on a quarterly, or annual basis.

How does our company benefits from an ISO 9001 Gap Analysis?

An ISO 9001 Gap Analysis provides the following benefits:

  • Identifying Weak Points: If your business is under some strategies, the Gap Analysis will help you to understand the CMS' functionality, determine your team’s performance, and verify the plan's effectiveness. It may help point were a root cause exists.
  • Measuring Current Resources - a Gap Analysis can help the organization underscore resource utilization.
  • Documentation Requirements - Analyze the Policies, Procedures, Work Instructions, Forms/Formats, etc.
  • Responsibilities - Setting out specific Responsibilities and Authorities.
To help get started, complete the FREE Online ISO 9001 GAP Analysis, then give us a call to get you started with our Jump Start Program.

Smiling young adult in training course

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is the world's largest developer of voluntary International Standards. The standards offer solutions and best practices for almost all types of technology and business, helping companies and organizations to increase performance while protecting consumers. The ISO 14001 Environmental Management Standard for organizations provides a number of benefits to the organization.

Benefits of ISO 14001:

1) Improve your image and credibility. ...
2) Help you comply with legal requirements. ...
3) Improvement in cost control. ...
4) Higher rate of success when implementing changes. ...
5) Enable quicker improvement of processes. ...
6) Reduce employee turnover.

How to control outsourced process/external service/product providers
 
One method to control outsourced processes is through the contractual document. This document should define service levels, roles, responsibilities, and procedures to monitor and report on the deliverables. Also, the contract should cover the documented information from the outsourcing organization.

Another method is through a second-party audit process. A second-party audit is carried out on a potential or current supplier by a purchasing organization. The purpose is to use the audit result as a part of the purchasing decision - a factor to conform to clause 8.4 of ISO 9001.  
In this time of lean operations, it is good to know competent auditors to meet your second-party audit needs. 
 
Here are the steps of a Second Party Audit

  • Purchaser considers purchasing from the supplier and sets up an audit
  • Decides to audit
  • The audit was carried out and reported
  • If the outcome is successful, then the order placed
  • Follow-up

Interested parties, including outsourced organizations, have a significant impact on the organization’s performance.

Read more: Outsourcing and Your ISO Management System

The best in-person ISO training - Pillar Management. Check our training courses, or contact us or call: (803) 622-4536

Options in learning have significantly increased.  Over the past few years, more people are choosing Online Training.  With an internet connection, you have an option from anywhere in the world; literally - with a satellite connection.

If you are interested in Online ISO Training go to:  Ingentius.com  be sure to use coupon code

In-person training is a traditional experience in a classroom setting, at a specific time and location. Here are several differences between online learning and in-person training that organizations should understand.

1) In-Person Training Provides Hands-On Opportunities

Learning in-person, working with instructors and other learners provides for greater interaction. Speaking face-to-face usually provides more clarity and understanding than email.

Live streaming and other forms of online interaction do not offer the same level of human contact.  eLearning has advanced in recent years but, there are still industries where in-person training is necessary. Medical careers, for example, require in-person training. It is difficult to become proficient in a transmission overhaul via a video course.

2) Online Training Offers Flexibility

Online learning provides flexibility in many ways that normally are not available with traditional in-person learning. Online training is a great option for individuals that are working remotely or are unable to attend in-person seminars.

Read more: Online Training vs In Person Training

Smiling young adult in training course

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is the world's largest developer of voluntary International Standards. The standards offer solutions and best practices for almost all types of technology and business, helping companies and organizations to increase performance while protecting consumers. The ISO 9001 Quality Standard for manufacturing provides a number of benefits to the organization.

Increased efficiency – Creating a ISO 9001 Quality Management System requires that processes and procedures which are based on a quality focus are created and maintained. This results in increased production efficiency.

Increased revenue – by increasing efficiency, profit improves. Also by marketing the certification the organization can win more contracts. Further, high margin contracts can be persued.

Improved employee morale – ensuring all employees are working
together on one agenda improve overall teamwork and can reduce errors and increase productivity.

Improved customer satisfaction – institutional feedback is built into the standard. With it you ensure a feedback system to help understand customer needs, identify areas for improvement and reduce wasted resources.

Continuous improvement – a major component is to create systems for improvement. Using non-conformity reporting and trend analysis, you can spot areas for improvement and stay ahead of the competition.
Read more: Benefits OF ISO 9001 For Your Organization

iso management coursesWhile implementing and maintaining a management system, it is critical to acquire actionable knowledge of the standard. It does not matter if you are considering IATF 16949 for the automotive industry, ISO 27001:2013 for information security, ISO 9001:2015 for quality management, or ISO 17025 for lab management, growing the knowledge about the standard requirements is the beginning. Knowing your goals, however, takes forethought.

Find the right ISO Consulting & ISO Trainer at Management System Solution Provider Association (MSSPA).

Basics course – To understand the foundation of an ISO standard, start at the beginning. These courses becomes invaluable. You can start the process with a skilled expert to assist.  You will still need to understand the basics.

Data protection  – With the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) governing how personal information needs to be protected, you need a point person responsible to meet this regulation.

Internal auditor course – All management systems include a process to perform an audit internal to your organization.  An Internal Auditor course prepares the staff to conduct these required tasks.  A critical component of an Internal Audit is to find opportunities for improvement.  These are called Non-Conformances; learn how to write, document, and find Root Causes.

Lead implementer course – The person responsible for implementing the management system needs more than just a cursory understanding of the requirements. There are courses that focus on the project management aspects of the lead implementer. If you are planning to become a consultant for others, this course is invaluable.

BusinessmanManufacturing continues to be the dominant driver in the U.S. economy.  Many manufacturers are working to develop and maintain a quality management system (QMS) certifications. ISO certification is a very important accomplishment, but it can be a difficult process without the guidance of an experienced ISO consultant.

Here are some useful considerations when hiring an ISO consultant


As important as it is daunting, hiring the right ISO consultant comes with big challenges. Due diligence cannot be ignored; otherwise, you run the risk of ending up with costly mismatches.

Find the right ISO Consulting & ISO Trainer at Management System Solution Provider Association (MSSPA). 

Here are key considerations in your search for the right ISO consultant:

Important skills

A range of disciplines are important to build acceptable standards for management which consultants can provide support. They can perform various roles such as advisory, implementation, management, or internal auditing.
Read more: How to find the right ISO consultant

 

This is an example ISO 14001 Internal Auditor Training course.


Verify audit carried out to schedule

Verify audits are planned with criteria and scope

Verify importance and performance are input to
planning

Verify results reported to management

Verify actions taken

Verify trained and independent auditors (Work Specific)

Verify Records
   

 



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