ISO and Quality Management Systems in Operations: Ep. 1

Throughout this free Kellerman Consulting video series on the topic of ISO and Quality Management Systems (QMS), we will be discussing the foundation of how a practical quality management system is put into place within an organization, as well as how an organization can apply that quality management system to the requirements of ISO and attain certification to that standard.

Reasons to Pursue ISO Certification

Businesses can choose voluntarily to create Quality Management Systems and pursue ISO certification. Since Quality Management Systems and ISO certification are not requirements to run a business, it might not be immediately clear why companies would choose to invest the time and money to implement these programs.

Many businesses which implement a quality management system and/or pursue ISO certification do so because a customer requested the certification or demanded that a system be implemented to that standard.

Other than customer requirements, ISO standards and Quality Management Systems can improve productivity, efficiency, process controls, and/or quality of products or services to make it beneficial for many business applications.

Defining Quality

Quality is both an intellectual concept and a sensation we feel when we engage in an object or service that achieves correctness. This correctness may be immediately observable through the well functioning product or service, or it may be subtly experienced in critical moments as when a service provider completes an agreed upon action in a timely manner, or based on agreed upon prearranged terms.

Quality has existed before machines, and before technology, therefore, computers and technology are not necessarily requirements for achieving quality in operation. Quality is achieved through the intention, scheduling, preparation and execution of one or more tasks to achieve a desired outcome.

Achieving Quality to Prepare for ISO Certification

Quality in the context of a business or organization is our ability to achieve a desired consistent outcome or finished product characteristics through using a plan and procedures to guide task completion.

For quality to be accomplished, plans and procedures must be followed exactly, and accuracy, precise control of the outcomes must be confirmed for all organizational actions.

Achieving and maintaining consistent quality in an organization requires effective and efficient interactions at all levels of the organization, and must include visionary leadership, oversight, review, and productive collaboration.

Quality standards, while exacting and based on clear specifications, must be adaptable and adjustable to changing circumstances, and most of all, must be connected to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the core values of the company.

Quality Management Systems and ISO

A properly functioning quality management system does not require that a business be certified to any program, and the pursuit of the highest quality for an organization is a profoundly important goal in itself.

Demonstrating adequate quality management within an organization is most commonly recognized by key stakeholders and customers through a certification, and for this series to be of greatest value, it is important to include a review of practical requirements to achieve ISO certification for those wishing to pursue or improve an ISO quality management program.

In the following episodes of this series, we are going to be focusing on the concepts of quality and technical actions to carry out processes that result in high quality outputs.

We will also be discussing the basic structure of the ISO scheme, which are the requirements found in the ISO manual to attain certification to that scheme.

View our ISO free training library to learn more.