How does ISO 9001 help maintain service levels?
John Nolan
ISO 9001 is the international standard that sets out the criteria for a QMS (Quality Management System) that allows organizations...
ISO 9001 is the international standard that sets out the criteria for a QMS (Quality Management System) that allows organizations of any size to deliver a product that is of good quality, and consistent. It...
Case study for implementing ISO 9001 in furniture production
Strahinja Stojanovic
This simple example will help you understand the challenges of implementing ISO 9001 in a small or midsize furniture production...
This simple example will help you understand the challenges of implementing ISO 9001 in a small or midsize furniture production company and give some inspiration in your implementation project. Case study The company started as...
How to create a checklist for an ISO 9001 internal audit for your QMS
Mark Hammar
One of the most important checking tools in a Quality Management System (QMS), or any management system, is the internal...
One of the most important checking tools in a Quality Management System (QMS), or any management system, is the internal audit. The ISO 9001:2015 requirements are very clear that this is a critical element of your QMS;...
How long does it take to implement an ISO 9001-based QMS?
Gap analysis and definition of the implementation steps can help you estimate length of the QMS set-up. See what else...
Gap analysis and definition of the implementation steps can help you estimate length of the QMS set-up. See what else could help to do the estimate. When you are implementing a Quality Management System (QMS)...
How to address risks and opportunities in ISO 9001
When using the ISO 9001:2015 requirements as a basis for your Quality Management System (QMS), you will find that risk-based thinking...
When using the ISO 9001:2015 requirements as a basis for your Quality Management System (QMS), you will find that risk-based thinking is an important new concept that has been brought into the forefront of quality planning....
What are the benefits of ISO 9001 for your employees?
There are many reasons for a company to implement a Quality Management System (QMS) based on the requirements of ISO 9001:2015....
There are many reasons for a company to implement a Quality Management System (QMS) based on the requirements of ISO 9001:2015. An organization can gain better control of their processes and focus more on customer requirements,...
Would construction companies benefit from ISO 9001?
In 2014 the US government calculated that 10% of its total fiscal market was attributed to the construction and building...
In 2014 the US government calculated that 10% of its total fiscal market was attributed to the construction and building industry. Given the value of this sector to the greater economy, there are several accreditation...
How to maintain your ISO 9001-based QMS after certification
Implementing ISO 9001 is not an easy task and once the certification is passed successfully, it might appear that the biggest...
Implementing ISO 9001 is not an easy task and once the certification is passed successfully, it might appear that the biggest part of the job is done. But, don’t rest on your laurels for long because...
How to define Key Performance Indicators for a QMS based on ISO 9001
Even if you have only started to implement a Quality Management System (QMS), you will very likely have heard about...
Even if you have only started to implement a Quality Management System (QMS), you will very likely have heard about Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) within the management system. This term is commonly used, and has...
Should you use a gap analysis in your ISO 9001 implementation?
When starting to implement a Quality Management System (QMS) using the ISO 9001:2015 standard, you will probably have heard about using...
When starting to implement a Quality Management System (QMS) using the ISO 9001:2015 standard, you will probably have heard about using a gap analysis, but what does this mean? What is a gap analysis, and what...
How to prepare your company for the ISO 9001 certification audit
So, you have created a Quality Management System (QMS) for your company using the requirements of ISO 9001, and you...
So, you have created a Quality Management System (QMS) for your company using the requirements of ISO 9001, and you need to get ready for your certification audit. What do you need to do to...
How SMEs can use ISO 9001 to grow their business
Achieving ISO 9001 accreditation is a milestone for any business, and given the work, man hours, and finance involved this is...
Achieving ISO 9001 accreditation is a milestone for any business, and given the work, man hours, and finance involved this is especially true for any SME (small to medium-sized enterprise). Whatever the reasons for seeking compliance...
What questions to expect on the ISO 9001 certification audit
After you have created and implemented a Quality Management System (QMS) using the ISO 9001:2015 standard requirements, you will need...
After you have created and implemented a Quality Management System (QMS) using the ISO 9001:2015 standard requirements, you will need to have a third-party certification body perform a certification audit to declare that your QMS...
How to set up document approval/withdrawal within your QMS based on ISO 9001:2015
A Quality Management System (QMS) will always need some way to control documented procedures; even if you try to reduce...
A Quality Management System (QMS) will always need some way to control documented procedures; even if you try to reduce their number to a minimum, you will still need to provide some documented procedures. Even...
How to measure training effectiveness according to ISO 9001
In a Quality Management System (QMS) based on ISO 9001, competence and training are an integral part of planning and...
In a Quality Management System (QMS) based on ISO 9001, competence and training are an integral part of planning and managing the processes of the QMS. As explained in Using Competence, Training and Awareness to...
The February 2016 Mars Chocolate Bar Recall – A Case Study from an ISO 9001 perspective
Every Quality Management System (QMS), including those based on ISO 9001, need to have a process for dealing with non-conforming products....
Every Quality Management System (QMS), including those based on ISO 9001, need to have a process for dealing with non-conforming products. It is often important to ensure that this includes a process for how you will...
How to use root cause analysis to support corrective actions in your QMS
When creating a Quality Management System (QMS) using the requirements of ISO 9001:2015, you will find that corrective action is...
When creating a Quality Management System (QMS) using the requirements of ISO 9001:2015, you will find that corrective action is one of the key elements to a good QMS. In fact, this was so important...
How to use ISO 9001 to facilitate the manufacturing of a complex product
The reason for implementing a Quality Management System (QMS) is to improve the consistency of your product, but ISO 9001:2015 itself...
The reason for implementing a Quality Management System (QMS) is to improve the consistency of your product, but ISO 9001:2015 itself does not specify the process you need to use for manufacturing a complex product. This...
ISO 9001:2015 Annex A – What is it used for and why use it?
With the new 2015 version of ISO 9001, the structure of the requirements for a Quality Management System (QMS) have...
With the new 2015 version of ISO 9001, the structure of the requirements for a Quality Management System (QMS) have changed, as have some of the terminology and requirements. So, how can you better understand...
ISO 9001: The importance of the process approach
Since the update of ISO 9001 in 2000, the process approach has been a very important principle behind the way...
Since the update of ISO 9001 in 2000, the process approach has been a very important principle behind the way a Quality Management System (QMS) functions. Using this approach, a company is tasked to identify...
