Explanation of a simple plan for achieving ISO 9000 certification. Also refer to registration, compliance, Quality Manual, Operating Procedures, auditing, TQM, international business, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Simple Plan for ISO 9000 Certification
by Ron Kurtus (revised 29 November 2005)
In order to become certified for one of the ISO 9000 standards, you must perform a number of activities or steps, regardless of the type or size of your company. Top management must provide the leadership and commitment necessary to achieve the task of certification or compliance.
Questions you may have include:
- What steps are required?
- What role does upper management have?
- What role does the registrar have?
The lesson answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
Steps to follow
The following list consists of simple steps to follow in order to achieve ISO 9000 registration or to simply become compliant to the standards. These steps are based on the method used by the Allen-Bradley Corp. (now part of Rockwell International) to achieve ISO 9001 certification.
(Note: Also see Steps to Achieve ISO 9000 Registration for another outlook on the process.)
1. Obtain management commitment
The key to success is management's belief in the value of registration to ISO 9000 standards and its resolve to devote the time and resources necessary to achieve it.
2. Designate a steering committee
Designate employees who will have the responsibility and authority to develop a detailed plan of action and who will manage it to completion.
3. Train personnel
A core group of employees must be well trained in the auditing techniques appropriate for the selected ISO 9000 standard.
4. Select an accredited registrar
Registration is obtained only through third-party assessments done by organizations accredited as qualified to evaluate a company's quality system.
5. Schedule final audit date
Because the final audit will be very comprehensive, adequate time should be allowed for full preparation.
6. Educate entire staff
Conduct awareness sessions with all personnel to explain ISO 9000, what it is, why it's important to the company, how it will affect each person's work, and what the benefits will be.
7. Analyze current situation
Document existing policies and procedures, compare them with ISO 9000 requirements, and identify all deviations and deficiencies.
8. Create a quality plan
Determine and implement all measures necessary to eliminate differences between current procedures and ISO 9000 compliance requirements.
9. Simulate an ISO 9000 audit
Check effectiveness of new procedures by having staff members conduct a formal audit according to ISO 9000 guidelines.
10. Correct problems
Implement adjustments needed to eliminate any deficiencies revealed by the audit.
11. Have registrar pre-audit (optional)
A preliminary audit determines readiness for the final audit and can help clarify specific requirements.
12. Correct problems
Implement adjustments needed to eliminate any deficiencies revealed by the pre-audit.
13. Have registrar conduct final audit
Third-party auditors conduct an on-site assessment of your quality system.
Summary
By following these steps, your road to ISO 9000 registration should be made easier:
- Obtain management commitment
- Designate a steering committee
- Train personnel
- Select an accredited registrar
- Schedule final audit date
- Educate entire staff
- Analyze current situation
- Create a quality plan
- Simulate an ISO 9000 audit
- Correct problems
- Have registrar pre-audit (optional)
- Correct problems
- Have registrar conduct final audit
Try to help others succeed
Resources
The following are some resources on this topic.
Websites
ISO Online - International Organization for Standardization website
ISO Standards Translated in Plain English - Extensive listing
ISO 9000 Certification Information - Good listing of ISO 9000 resources
ISO 9000 References and Resources
Books
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
1. What view should upper management have toward ISO 9000?
2. Why simulate an ISO 9000 audit?
3. Why bother with a third-party auditor?
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Improving your Business with ISO 9000. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
What do you think?
Do you have any questions, comments, or opinions on this subject? If so, send an email with your feedback. We will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Share link
Feel free to establish a link from your website to pages in this site.
Or use our form to send this link to yourself or a friend.
Students and researchers
The Web address of this page is
www.school-for-champions.com/iso9000/simple_plan.htm.
Please include it as a reference in your report, document, or thesis.
Where can you go from here?
Simple Plan for ISO 9000 Registration