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blogs
Below are the blogs of managing consultant John Mason. Please enjoy, comment, challenge.
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 Do you have to develop process maps for ISO 9001?
In 4.1 of the standard, there are a number of elements that an organisation must do including identify processes, determine the sequence and interaction of processes, determine criteria and methods of control, ensure resource availability and monitor, measure and take action. Nowhere does the standard then imply that an organisation should then go out and produce flow diagrams, process flows, charts or maps to describe their business. Although each of these tools are very useful, if they are not part of your culture or documentation, think hard at including them into your management system.
What is an external document?
quality.com.au's definition of an external document is; Any document, irrespective of format, that your company does NOT have control of the content but it is used / referenced in your management system. Such documents include; standards, legislation, statutes, supplier marketing collateral, etc.
So now you are one, what’s next?
The following is a cut and paste from the quality manual
5.5.2 Management representative
Top management has appointed the [title of person] who, irrespective of other responsibilities, has the following responsibilities and authorities:
a) ensuring that processes needed for the quality management system are established, implemented and maintained,
b) reporting to top management on the performance of the quality management system and any need for improvement, and
c) ensuring the promotion of awareness of customer requirements throughout your company.
Customer focus
What are the expectations with customer focus in ISO 9001?
There are three places that specifically reference customer requirements (ISO 9001 clauses).
The absolute minimum number of documented procedures required by the standard is only 6, covering the following elements;
How do you get more business when you have a quality system?
The fundamentals of a well designed quality management system will ensure more business through sales, more business through customer retention and more business through cost reduction. Pretty big claims huh? But oh so true.
Well, do you?
I am afraid there is no easy answer to this one. However, I can say that having quality certification DOES NOT guarantee you will win government work.
As we head towards the first anniversay of the 'new' ISO 9001, I thought it would be an opportune time to recap on the changes between the 2000 version and 2008.
Remember, that all current certifications must be converted by the end of 2010 and that no new certification can be granted to the 2000 version after December 2009 (why you would want to, I don't know).
Remember #2, ther are no 'new' requirements between the versions, just 27 clarifications (or there abouts, depending on who you talk to).
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