ISO
9000 Series of International Standards This
series requires the implementation of a Quality Management System (QMS)
in accordance with internationally recognized standards. A QMS is a well
documented, common sense system that ensures consistency and improvement
of working practices. This includes products and services within an organisation.
The ISO 9000 series is a family of standards developed to provide a framework
around which a quality management system of procedures can be effectively
based. It is the most commonly used international framework of standards
comprising a number of different standards (ISO 9000, ISO 9001 and ISO
9004), each covering a different facet of the whole. ISO
9000 has proved universally popular and successful in standardizing quality
standards across the world. In the year 2000, WTO requirements showed
the need for these standards to be upgraded and ISO has confirmed that
eventually one system standard will specify the fundamental requirements
for any business management system so that it can be relied upon to fulfil
all objectives and obligations.
The changes to ISO 9001 are the next step to a merger with the
ISO 14000 Series on Environment. T Only
six documented procedures are specified in the transition.
The processes necessary to determine and meet customer requirements
are to be planned, defined, resourced, controlled, verified and improved.
Beyond system documentation, similar system requirements are regrouped
into four sections. They are: Management Responsibility (Plan) Leaders
are to demonstrate their commitment to the customer, policy, objectives,
system effectiveness, improvement, reviews, resources and legal obligations.
Management Representatives have to ensure awareness of customer requirements
and the various levels and functions of the organization are also to know
about the processes of the system and their effectiveness against measurable
objectives. Resource Management (Plan) Skilled,
knowledgeable, competent people must be available to ensure product conformance
and must be aware of the importance of their work. The work environment
must be identified and managed to achieve product conformance. Equipment
and facilities must also be identified, provided and maintained to achieve
conformity of product. Product Realization (Plan and Do) The
process approach is a specified requirement. Organizations are to show
how customer needs are determined, translated into requirements and these
requirements executed so that customers are satisfied.
Customer communication is also specified. Design control also applies
to the design of the service element of products. Measurement,
Analysis and Improvement (Verify and Act to Improve) Data now has to be
collected and analyzed to identify where improvements can be made.
Customer satisfaction has to be determined and included in the
analysis. Continuous improvement of system effectiveness is required and
improvements should always be driven by the speed at which the business
core process adds value in converting the needs of the customer into income
for the business. |