Introduction
As we move closer to the introduction of the ISO9001:2015 standard there’s been considerable discussion about the significance of the changes compared with previous versions.
However, the changes aren’t so significant.
Traditionally ‘smart’ organisations have always adopted a ‘risk’ based approach to the management of their total operations as they know & understand the importance of achieving ‘seamless’ cost effective transition of data, information and inputs transformed into a finished product or service. The standard simply provides them with a structure to achieve their objectives.
What are the changes?
So what’s important about the ISO9001:2015 update & your implementation strategy?
ISO9001:2015
- Will contain 10 major elements in a standardised format with other standards.
- A focus on risk and risk management supported by –
- Demonstrable leadership.
- Management decisions that are based on data or factual evidence.
- The use of knowledge gathered from across the organisation (not just training)
- The changes that have been made to ISO9001:2015 involve both reformatting and restructuring of the standard at a high level.
- The terms goods and services are now used to replace the previous definitions of product and service.
- Requirements for design and development and measuring equipment have been refined for relevance to the service sector.
The 10 major elements cover 7 broad themes:-
- Customer focus
- Leadership
- Engagement of people
- Consistency in processes (Process approach)
- Improvement
- Evidence based decision making
- Management of relationships
What are the 10 common elements that will be shared with other risk based standards (ISO14001 & 45001)?
- Scope
- Normative references
- Terms and definitions
- Organisational context
- Leadership
- Planning
- Support
- Operation
- Evaluation of performance
- Improvement
Implementation
- There is a transition window of 3 years (September 2015 until September 2018).
- Assess where the business is now both operationally and in terms of compliance with the standard.
- Which elements of your existing system will transfer easily to the new format?
- And which elements will need greater work?
- Plan how the business will transition to the new standard & close any gaps.
- Resourcing money, people & time
- Implement the changes & improvements.
- Monitor the effectiveness and success of the improvements.
Subsequent articles will provide greater detail on the important clauses.